After 18 months of DJing without a hitch, within the last month or so
Winamp sometimes stops playing for a few seconds, resumes for a few
second, stops, etc.

I can consistently force this problem by simply right-clicking on any
file in the right pane of Explorer, even though I do nothing else like
selecting any of the menu options. The stop-start problem will persist
until I left-click on anything and the right-click menu closes. Doesn't
matter if the file I right-clicked on is an MP3 file; it doesn't even
have to be in the MP3 folder.

(Sometimes I can force the problem by rapidly dragging the Explorer
vertical scroll bar.)

I tried troubleshooting by using a program called Cool Beans, which
displays CPU, RAM, and Swap File usage. When the problem exists, CB
reports 100% CPU usage; RAM and Swap File usage remain well behaved.

I then used Task Manager to watch the 29 or so running processes. When
the problem starts, CB reports 95-100% usage. But of that, TM shows
System Idle Process at some high figure (around 75%), with Explorer (at
around 24%) using most of the rest. After serveral seconds, TM shows
Explorer using 96% of the CPU, System Idle Process dropping to zero, and
taskmgr using most of the rest.

The laptop has never been connected to the internet, so I don't suspect
a virus. All the songs, regardless of whether downloaded as mp3 or from
commercial CDs pass through this process on my desktop computer:

1. Convert an mp3 file, or rip a cda file, to wav
2. Edit the wav file for loudness and silence at the beginning and end;
3. Convert to mp3
4. Add id3v2 tags to each song
5. Burn the songs to a CD-RW.

I then insert the CD into the laptop and copy the songs to my mp3
folder. I can't imagine viruses or other malware surviving steps 1-3.

Of course, I've removed and reinstalled Winamp. My other laptop uses
Windows ME with same version of Winamp. No problems.

I really do not suspect XP because I've used it so long problem-free.
True, some glitch could have caused a problem in Explorer. I don't know
how to repair it using the recovery disc. If you think this is the
problem, perhaps you can give me advice.

Thanks for your suggestions.

The following eonstreams link lets you listen to WHNZ in your browser
instead of WMP:
http://secure.eonstreams.com/players/player.php?PlayerID=114 (you can get
other stations by changing the PlayerID number, but I don't know of a list)

Eonstreams doesn't list WinAmp as being supported in their FAQ, I think
there may be at least a synchronization issue:
http://www.eonstreams.com/HowToFaqs.htm

-->Windows Media Audio 9 Voice Codec, just in case you're told a codec is
missing:
http://tinyurl.com/4aod2 (same as...
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=06fcaab7-dcc...
b0c4-04db144bb601&displaylang=en&Hash=43G9DYB )

That works fine with 5.08d Full

Note, adding  /.wma  to the end forces Winamp to use the WMA Decoder
(in_wm.dll) instead of the default ASF handler (the DirectShow Decoder,
in_dshow.dll)

-> However, this workaround was only implemented as from v5.04, so it
-> probably won't work with earlier versions, not unless you either
-> remove/disable in_dshow.dll, or you use in_dshow.dll and in_wm.dll from
-> Winamp 5.08d instead :/

The only problem with that is the machine I'm talking about is
running Win95 and for the 5.08 in_wm.dll to work it needs WMP7
installed which isn't happening on Win95.

However I managed to get the stream to play by other means.

I installed the "DivX Ext PRO" plugin and now the stream plays.

1. Open Windows XP Explorer. Let it display the default folder or select
any other folder.
2. Open Winamp, either v2.82 or v5.08c, and play any mp3 or wav song.
3. In the right pane of Explorer, right-click on any file or folder, and
remove your hand from the mouse without highlighting or selecting any of
the menu options.

Does Winamp continue to play properly for at least 15 seconds?

Thanks.

There are only two culprits I can think of: Windows XP Explorer itself,
or one of the 100+ Winamp registry entries.

I've since found that the problem isn't unique to Winamp. Same problem
using Windows Media Player, v9, or Real Player.