Try:
Start -> Search for [Sound]
Playback Tab -> Select your audio device -> Properties
Advanced -> Default Format -> 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality)
Edit:
Actually, ignore that, from
comes
HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionMultimediaSystemProfile
The value for SystemResponsiveness was set to 100, which means 100% of all other processes on my machine were given higher priority than multimedia. I fired up my Vista box and discovered that value was set to 20%. Aha!
