I am posting this up in the extremely unlikely chance that some of you have, are, or may use a combination of Vista 32 bit Home Premium, and the newest version of AIM (6.5)

AIM runs some new type of a fancy codec in the background of your computer. When it updates to 6.5, it changes this codec in a way that is much like introducing a hand-grenade anally into Windows Vista.

It conflcits with the newest versions of the X-Fi sound card drivers, and eliminates Window's ability to communicate on a low level with your motherboard. (It can no longer detect system settings, processor speed, and RAM usage). It also creates numerous issues with anything associated with the "Security" panel- preventing you from accessing, changing, or disabling any settings.

The only way I have discovered to repair this damage, once AIM has caused it, is to pop in the Vista disk and do a restore point to a time before AIM was installed or updated.

Just a general word of warning. =) AIM + Vista are no longer compatible.

(Dealing with this problem for six hours before figuring it out is likely why I've been in a more scathing mood today.)