Happy Hunting, mark bonamer!
You are not the only skipper who has had issues with installs... For some reason, even just one "activate / de-activate" cycle with JSGME, and things get whacky. Other times, I'll get 2 dozen cycles and never encounter a hitch... now that I've just "said" that, I feel that gremlin perched on the back of my chair, looking over my shoulder, breathing down my neck, and getting ready to bite!...

- For me, the Save folder is the biggest thing. If I don't empty that ~prior~ to doing a "fresh" install and activation, invariably I will have a messed-up game...