The RunOnce key was missing. Believe it or not.
I got the hint from a 2004 TechGuy entry:
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-xp/23 ... uring.htmlI got to that site from a 2004 message on openvpn.net that I found while googling for <tapinstall.exe>:
http://openvpn.net/archive/openvpn-user ... 00440.htmlHerewith his message:
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Windows 2000/XP has a bug that it cannot properly detect new hardware by *.inf files, if the RunOnce registry key is missing for the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
This key is often used by installers to execute post-reboot programs, but sometimes they accidentally delete this key.
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Make sure that you understand how to backup and restore the registry, in case a problem occurs. Please read the linked Microsoft Knowledge Base article prior to editing the registry.
Go to Start » Run and enter "regedit."
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
With CurrentVersion Highlighted, go to the Edit menu and select New » Key
Name the key RunOnce, leaving everything else about the key alone.
The RunOnce key should now exist underneath the CurrentVersion key.
Once the key exists, Windows 2000/XP stops redetecting the Hardware
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Can I get an 8 license pack for the info? You must have lost a few possible customers because of this issue! Whatcha think? Huh? Huh?
Otherwise, it's a great product and now that I've busted through my personal barrier I'm happy as a clam in the sand.
John in Medford Oregon