So I am reporting same problems with this installer - regarding Windows Media Codecs as well as with Hi-MD detection. I have solved the first problem by creating the downloads folder as well, and the second - by installing the German version of Sonic Stage 3.0, and then Sonic Stage 3.1 full installer, as had been suggested in another thread. It was a quite frustrating and time-consuming process. If the installer is to do its job some corrections are needed. Where they equiped with XP? I am a Windows 2000Pro/WMP 9 user and some other people reporting same problems where using this system too. Maybe the problem is hidden somewhere here?... Just a small hint . Thanks for this very useful forum.