Sonar and Fantom VS not working....

I've done some searching in the forums and found a lot of info on this problem - but the fixes out there don't seem to help.  After asking to add the Fantom through the synth rack I get the dreaded:
 
"Unable to read/write data. Choose Help - Fantom VS Editor Manual, and refer to 7.  If the display indicates "Unable to read/write date.""
 
After that error, the Fantom does indeed load up.  However if I attempt to change to a different patch, the error appears again. 
 
I'm pretty sure I have all the midi ins/out set up, but here's the strange thing - I/O (VS-700) is never selected.  I select them, hit close, open up midi selections again, and they are suddenly not selected again...??
 
I did call cakewalk the other day.  At this point, since I'm using Sonar 8.5, it is no longer supported by phone.  But I was able to speak to someone who knew about this problem.  I asked about the registry file fix and he agreed, it should help, and he sent me an attachment that should have put in the proper registry files.  I figured this was going to work.... it didn't!  I get all the same problems.
 
At this point I'm getting quite frustrated.  I have a bunch of tunes I need to work on and I need a virtual synth.  I'm thinking of ditching Fantom all together and getting NI Komplete - but I feel if I already have Fantom I shouldn't have to go that route.  Alternatively I'm thinking of upgrading Sonar to the new X3 - but I have a feeling this isn't going to solve the problem with Fantom.
 
Does anyone else have any further ideas that might solve this problem?  Tomorrow I have some time to give another call to cakewalk but I suspect they're not going to be too helpful.  I did return an email to the one guy I spoke to already but he hasn't gotten back to me.
 
Thanks!