Never send in signals that are level 0. You don't actually get points for them. Your priority off the bat should get your processing to level 1. It should be the upgrade at the bottom. Then you can start making money off of the drives you send out. There are 3 levels to process with, but until you get stuff that increases the speed in which processing works, you shouldn't go above 1 until you're comfortable with it. It takes a while to process, depending on the size of the drive, but you will get paid more for higher levels, so you should max the processing when you can.
So should I start over again since as I said subtracting points from an upgrade ends up with less after for instance I had enough to get the solar ATV module but I took the points back and had only 300 or so can't give the exact number. Point is it seems when it comes to the upgrades you need to be sure what you want apparently other wise this happens. Are you sure you get no points for 0 levle signals? That's what you have to start off wiht since it takes 50 points to go to level 1.
It's something the game teaches you in the tutorial. You don't get anything for level 0, and you need to process at least to the first level. It's difficult to recommend what to start with, because everyone prefers starting in their own way, but I definitely recommend the stuff that'll help conserve money first, then use the money on upgrades when you can.