thx. i'll check 4 viruses. i know i don't have spyware because i constantly monitor my hd and registry. i was going 2 red/l the file but then i realized, as i stated when i first posted, that i first tried the redist pack [ which worked fine on my second comp] then i tried d/l'ing and installing from ms (dxwebsetup.exe).

any other viewpoints/observations/suggestions. thx