I've figured out what casues the slow behavior anyway.  If the remote loses power (i.e. via battery pull), then it goes into slow mode for roughly 24 hours.  If I plug the remote to power via it's power jack, then remove battery (so power is nto lost) and reinset battery, behavior remains correct (not slow).  If I pull battery and reinsert, it will do the slow thing for about 24 hours.  With the battery in place, pressing teh reset button also casues the slow behvior for 24 hours.  Once it finishes whatever those events trigger, it's back to apparent normal.

Now, I have to replace the USB port on the remote.  Any of you guys have any contacts where I can get the USB surface moutn PCB part?  I'm a dealer and I tried URC, they were less than no help.  Want $600 to exchange it for the customer.  Damn shame to toss a remote in the when a $1.50 (in qty of 1) part and some solder skills which I have, will fix it.