dgatwood - "power management in your laptop cycling the CPU speed" - Can you explain that a little more or send a link? I've turned off the wireless interface without results (HP dv2000, has an external switch). The house I live in is brand new (2005) and I use furman power conditioners. My guess is that grounding would be properly taken care of in new construction. Hmm...
Steenamaroo - Plugged in to the wall, but the battery is still in. When I get back after the holiday weekend I'll take out the battery to see if it helps. The alternative is to use my old desktop for tracking. I built it in 2004, so it's getting a little slow for mixing but it can track like a mofo.
happy thanksgiving.