Thanks for the knowledge base respect...
hes right I know how to tighten up the timings, but this doesnt sound like a memory issue... and if you have corsair, which is the ONYL memory I use, I doubt VERY seriously its your memory....
With that said, do the obvious run memory tests, check your taskmanager, run HIjack this to make sure something else isnt hogging resources you arent aware of, and if it has been a while since you last defraged I would definately do that...
Lastly, you said since you bought it, well that could point to another problem, a bad setting, check to make sure your system is optimized turn off anything in the BIOS you dont need, and one other thing, and this may sound wierd, remove your audigy, do a restart, and then see if you can open and run the programs without any problems... There have been many, many, MANY... problems with audigys conflicting with other devices...
on another note, look in your event logs and see if you get anything other than regular smaller errors in your event log.. all of this can help us diagnose your problem...
EDIT: well I need to read ALL the thread before posting... Hmm Ok well, your speed is correct. I would try one more thing, I had a similar problem a LOONG time ago... in my first PC... I would make sure your memory are parsed out in the slots, normally 1&3 and 2&4 for the TWO PAIRS... even if they are the same speed and manufacturer... SPECIFFICALLY, the XMS seriers twins, are tested in pairs for the best stable pairs, and while 1 stick may be stable with anoter, it might not be with the other two.. try that, and verify the matching DIMM sockets with the pairs and post back...
EDIT #2: Also, I would check what the reccomended specs for your memory are, and if they say they work best with tighter timings then try it that way, XMS odly enough work better under slightly tighter timings and high voltages than they say on their website, because they are made to go into higher end / overclocked systems...