Just for the record, YES this was indeed a Windows error... I uninstalled the last three versions of C++ and the error is gone. Not sure what happened, or if perhaps the fact I run Windows 7 Pro on this hard drive is the issue or not.

BUT I figured folks may like to know the "fix" just in case they end up with the same problem.

Not sure what will happen if I am ever told by a program that I need the latest version!