i went straight to the 64 bit version of codemeter (never had 32 bit installed). fresh install of vista 64 update all drivers for hardware and OS components install codemeter runtime (latest version, 3.30a) reboot insert usb key identified successfully install steel beasts installed patches (but not the beta) have rebooted since and no success codemeter should confirm on a CLEAN OS install with 3.30a (rather than on top of a failed earlier version install) just in case 3.20c is still managing to put something 3.30a is dependent upon but not included in 3.30.