IDL 7 boot error

hi,

I'm getting multiple errors every time I boot IDL.  A window pops up
telling me that "Multiple errors have occured" and it shows three
errors, all the same:

An error has occurred. See error log for more details.
java.lang.NullPointerException

I'm running Windows XP.  I wasn't getting this error previously - I
think it has something to do with my recent installation of Microsoft
Visual Studio 2005 or the Intel C compiler..

I've tried the "Repair Installation" option for IDL under Add and
Remove programs.. nothing changed.  I'm thinking of removing IDL
entirely, along with those compilers and reinstalling everything.  If
anyone has an idea though...

thanks,
Mark