sticky sound, sticky mouse

[lee walters]

I have a laptop (IBM Thinkpad running XP SP2 and 500MB) and every so
often the mouse pointer will stick for a beat as it moves across the
screen. Same thing when playing music...the music sticks. I've actually
had my ear close up to the machine and can hear a very subtle high
pitched frquency sound (probably the noraml sound) but this has the
same rhythmic pulse that coincides with the mouse. I'm pulling my hair
out here...I know it's not down to the mouse, and I can't figure out
what it might be or what stage to take next. Thanks in advanced.

 

[NotMe]

I see that when another program captures the CPU for a second.
What all do you run in the background?

 

[lee walters]

I see that when another program captures the CPU for a second.
What all do you run in the background?

Not much at all. MSN messenger and a firewall. I think it's something
else. I haven't installed anything new, yet it's suddenly happening.
Weird.