New CDs ripped to WMP seen to be behaving perfectly.
MM cycles through the library still, settles on something other than the selected track, and now a new symptom. It 'stutters' at the start of the track, repeating the first few notes about 8 times, and then playing it properly.
I think this is a worm. I'll get in touch with Tucows tomorrow and ask them. In the meantime, I'd advise you, DON'T download 'POLDERBITS' or 'Free CD to MP3' software from them.