Windows 7 - Noah IR MCE Remote DID work; but not now ... need software help

I tried to find a thread that matches my situation, but no dice (yet). If anyone knows of a thread where this was resolved, you can get rid of me more quickly by pointing me there. :^{D

My basic/short-term goal is to have Windows 7 WMC work with a remote (for my wife and teens to accept the HTPC ... mouse on leg isn't cutting it for them ... go figure). My ultimate goal is to have it all work with a universal remote; but that's after this.

So I bought this a few months back b/c the most popular reviews (at the time) said the receiver was great, the receiver worked like a real WMC remote (vs. keyboard codes), and it seemed safer than an HP receiver-only from overseas on eBay. Per above, my ultimate use for the remote itself is to teach the universal remote, if necessary, but first this remote has to work.

And it did work at first ... plug & play and trucking around WMC. At the time I wanted it to do more, like move around Windows Explorer and operate the DVD program, etc. so I loaded AutoHotKey and EventGhost to try them out.

With little time for this, I played with it off and on; first EventGhost didn't work for me, then I troubleshot and programmed it successfully via EG support forums. Then I noticed the remote was not moving anything in WMC anymore. I tried uninstalling EventGhost, but apparently the damage was done (by something ... may not be EG's fault).

PRESENT STATE:

• this USB receiver blinks a red light when any remote button is pressed (remote has power; receiver receives something)
• when installed/running, EventGhost registers the correct key codes from the remote (remote/receiver apparently operate correctly via EG's service)
• the HTPC responds correctly to remote key presses ONLY when EG is running (but found EG has deep-rooted probs w/ WMC, so now I don't want it)
• WMC no longer responds to remote key presses natively

Noah offers zero support (and their h/w seems to be working anyway), so I came here. How does one troubleshoot this? I don't know where to go at this point. Thanks!
Spiff :^{D