COPIED/PASTED FROM THE AXE III THREAD REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE:
OK, so after a lot of research, I think I might have found, at least, MY issue.
I was using a long USB cable that I found from work with the logic that I'd be able to curl it around my desk and out of the way. I am finding that was probably the culprit and it corrupted my USB ports. I went into my Windows Device Manager and uninstalled ALL of the USB ports and then restarted my computer, which automatically re-installs them, which would, in theory, repair the corruption.
It has only been about half an hour and I have been able to play along with a YouTube backing track, have FM9 Edit open and open another window without my computer freezing and having to unplug my USB cable. I will report back with more info once some time has passed.
Have a happy and safe new year, folks!
UPDATE: 2 DAYS, NO ISSUE AFTER RESETTING THE USBs.