Problem:
Windows performs like it's 1993. While loading programs, it's slow, unresponsive. Audio and video experience a "Time-Stretch" affect, where what would normally be played in 1 second takes 3 and up. This includes the Windows startup sound. The mouse also moves around the screen in a jumpy fashion. This happens to the mouse while starting programs, or playing A/V. A/V obviously only experiences problems while A/V is playing.
Steps taken:
Spybot scans, registry mechanic, turning off visual enhancements, trying different RAM configurations (I got a 2gig matched pair with a spotty history of compatibility from a friend to augment my 1gig of Corsair RAM. I'd tried running the system with 512 corsair, 1 gig corsair, 1 gig corsair+1gig pqi, 1 gig corsair +2 gig pqi, 2 gig pqi. The time-stretch effect is far more constant, has a longer duration it seems when less RAM is used.)
Fresh installation of windows + 20 or so updates applied ran stable for over a week, then the issue appeared. The reinstall was to attempt to stop this problem.
Rolled back Windows updates when the issue recurred, tried the ram configs again. Defrag the drive. Several reboots.