When you try different versions, are you running them each in a separate directory?
INI and config files are not compatible across versions so unzipping it into an existing folder is bad.
All the different versions of MAME are in there own directory and have their own *.ini files in their own directories. But the roms folders are pointing to a single location on the GroovyMAME folder. That shouldn't be a problem.
Are you running aggressive anti-virus software?
Are there any background processes running?
This happens on a clean install of Windows with Microsft Security Essentials installed or not. The intent is this goes into a cab so I don't care too much about making it secure. I only install the convenience roll-up pack, DX, VC++, .Net, and a codec pack.
This shouldn't be happening in this day and age, but maybe there's an interrupt conflict with another device on the PCI bus?
Let me disable some ports in the CMOS and see if that remedies things. Certainly don't need the serial port or whatever might be enabled. Perhaps I can disable the front panel audio while I am in there. Going to remove that PCIe sound card I picked up. It didn't help the problem at all. Also, keep in mind MAMEUIFX and MAMEDEV's version works fine! But I'll give it a shot.
If your video card has an HDMI port, see if there's an HDMI audio driver installed for it. I had that with a Radeon HD 4550 and it caused conflicts. I had to uninstall the HDMI audio driver and I think I disabled the device in device manager to stop Windows from automatically installing a new driver. It's been a while so I can't remember exactly.
Let me give this a try. FYI, this happens only on this machine. I have built a half dozen or so boxes for this purpose and seems this is the only machine that has the problem. I have tried other HD4000 series cards, same problem. But yeah, will give this a shot.
Will be traveling for the next few days, but will report back then. Until then, let the ideas flow. Much appreciated.