Error message when starting the connectivity kit

[davetheguru]

It doesn't seem to matter how I try to update the firmware, the Prime goes to recovery mode. I get a pop up window on XP saying "No updates are available". Yet, I have downloaded them via the CK.

In case I got a flakey install, I rewinded my XP VM back to SP3 + cumulative updates. Then I reinstalled Vixual C++ 2008 Redistributable libraries that Tim suggested above. I also installed in VirutalBox a USB filter so that the Prime will always connect to the VM when it is plugged in. And I kept the Prime connected from now on.

Then I installed the CK from the CD that came with the Prime. I then ordered the CK to download and install the update (it also included a firmware update in the list). But I think just the CK update ran. The Prime connects with the CK fine. However, a lot of times it will come up with "HP Connectivity Kit has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience." from Windows (I bet they are sorry). This most happens on start up and after a while will seem stable -- was able to interrogate the Prime and even back it up.
I aso installed the vitual calculator from the CD and updated it from the network. And it crashes the CK too...

It seems the stability is after rebooting XP. I can connect fine. Then I did try to upgrade firmware. To my surprise, it worked! But then after that CK crashed (Prime firmware was fine, restarted back but with latest version). So I don't know what is happing; maybe an XP problem? (Are there some deficiencies in XP anyway that would cause this instability?). Also, if I disconnect after the first time, instability happens again. Connection between the vitual prime and CK seems to always be unstable.