Windows 7, Intel 7 processor, 16 GB RAM.

But then having adobe flash problems, as well, but depends on the mood of the computer. Sounds funny.

Boinc from WCG, 6. something, as opposed to the Leiden one, 7. something.

Skype effed up beyond use (I really suspect this whole flash problem is down to microsoft, like many other problems. E.G., leave the computer alone for a while and all icons disappear and cannot be got back without a reboot. The flash problem resolved, albeit it temporarily, with a forced close and request to start windows normally (happened tooooooooooooooo many times to be coincidence). I suppose they cure the problem by requiring me to buy their newer version which cures some of the problems (allowing extraction of fat licence fees from partners to cure the faults they should have done for nothing. They have a word for traders like that. end of rant.

It may be a shot in the dark, but it seems you may have picked some kind of virus. Try doing a couple of scans and see if it comes up clean.
Cheers

scanned daily. AVG

My personal opinion is that Dr.Web Cureit is the best stand alone virus scanner. However it does not provide realtime protection and therefore does not replace your AVG. But it does do a very thorough scan.

Also, it might just be easier to reformat the disk and start again with fresh Windows 7.