Unable to create character/launch game

Hi, just purchased a boxed retail copy of the game
which contains the Atari logo. (I heard this might be
important.) I installed the game and was able to
successfully create an account and patch using the
.net feature which comprised downloading about 6,000
small files totalling around 250mb of data. I have
since run several scans both with and without .NET.
Everything appears to be up to date. I am however
unable to create a character because when Horizons.exe
attempts to launch I get the following application
error message: The application failed to initialize
properly (0xc0000005). Click OK to terminate the
application.
My system specs are as follows:
AMD Athlon64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+
2GB PC3200 RAM
ASUSTeK A8N-SLI DELUXE MoBo
NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX 512 mb (81.98)
Realtek AC'97 Audio
DX 9c
I have disabled kool'n'quiet
I have tried playing with and without my firewall
(windows firewall) and my virus software (EZ trust
antivirus) enabled. I get the same crash either way. I
can duplicate this crash by opening my horizons folder
and double-clicking the executable horizons.exe. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Update: I overcame this issue by disabling data execution prevention in the Horizon executable.

Now, it's on to the next showstopper: getting disconnected while trying to create a character. This is a sensitive bit of programming, isn't it? [:P]

Ok, nevermind. I'll pass on this one.

i have the same problem it wont even log in now - last week i could and i had to install windows and Hz...Help!!!