Well - I did have a crash whilst scanning channels.
However...with UAC switched off 1.2.9 installs without error and, post the nativeutilities patch (no need for re-regservers.bat) and a scan for channels/EPG mapping, The Guide also starts up and works without hanging. Success .
So - I guess the key to my main problems here are UAC but, as I have no particular reason to have it switched on, I can live with it off.
However...with UAC switched off 1.2.9 installs without error and, post the nativeutilities patch (no need for re-regservers.bat) and a scan for channels/EPG mapping, The Guide also starts up and works without hanging. Success .
So - I guess the key to my main problems here are UAC but, as I have no particular reason to have it switched on, I can live with it off.