As per JimH's reccomendation:
Download Manager is taking over even though it has been disabled.
I double & triple checked and 'disable browser integration' is checked, however whenever I select certain file types (only .asx & .asf so far) Download Manager still starts up. It does not start for other file types, but so far my testing has been much less than exhaustive so there may be other file types its interfering with as well.
Media Center Registered 10.0.80 -- C:\Program Files\J River\Media Center\
Microsoft Windows XP Workstation 5.1 Service Pack 1 (Build 2600)
Intel Unknown 1220 MHz MMX / Memory: Total - 1047 MB, Free - 502 MB
Internet Explorer: 6.0.2800.1106 / ComCtl32.dll: 5.82 (xpsp1.020828-1920) / Shlwapi.dll: 6.00.2800.1400 / Shell32.dll: 6.00.2800.1233 (xpsp2.030604-1804) / wnaspi32.dll: 4.60 (1021) , ASPI for Win32 (95/NT) DLL, Copyright © 1989-1999 Adaptec, Inc. / Aspi32.sys: 4.60 (1021)
Ripping / Drive E: Mode:Normal Type:Auto Speed:Max
Digital playback: Yes / Use YADB: Yes / Get cover art: Yes / Calc replay gain: Yes / Copy volume: 32767
Eject after ripping: No / Play sound after ripping: No
Burning / Drive E: MATSHITA UJDA745 DVD/CDRW Addr: 2:0:0 Speed:8 MaxSpeed:8 BurnProof:Yes
Test mode: No / Eject after writing: Yes / Direct decoding: Yes / Write CD-Text: Yes
Use playback settings: Yes / Normalization: None