I can't answer all your questions but I'll try to answer some

1 When installing the update did you select keep your preferences or use the default of back up your preferences. If the latter you will either have to revert to your previous preferences (I assume by copying the back up file and overwriting the new file, but I have never done this) or add your libraries back manually using the add library button in poser library pallet.

2 Your previous version of poser will no longer work. This is due to SM closing down the activation servers, so you cannot goback unfortunately

3, 4 Can't help on these, sorry.

5 SM has sold Poser to Bondware (Rendo's parent company). SM still exists but has nothing to do with poser anymore