Here is the reply I received from SM... I've looked over the link they provided and cannot make heads or tails of it... any ideas anyone?

 

This has to do wth the Python Environment Variable. Here is a link with more details.

http://docs.python.org/using/windows.html

You need to set the Preference to the 2.4 Version. You should be able to have multiple variables set. I was told the issue is Blender Installer sets the Global Environment Variable for Python to the version it installs. If the ENV has multiple entries, try switching 2.4 to the front.

Let me know if you have any questions. I am downloading Blender now to see if there are any settings in Blender to allow you to resolve this from there.