Question Author
Thanks for all your answers Chris!
Sorry I didn't get back to you last night but I had another 1½ hrs on the phone to Corel. The "Level 2" support guy sorted everything out for me but I have to admit that I only understood parts of what he was doing. Apparently, some "Permissions" were not right and somehow the main Corel folder had become corrupted.
Anyway, the upshot is that now my shiny new PSP X9 is up and running.
So, thanks again for your input, particularly the link to the Win update. I'll install this when I've finished my Christmas chores.
Regards and best wishes for the festive season.