Skuzzy sent me this email :
"We are not sure where that message may be coming from as it is not a literal
error message in the game code.
However, it could be coming from the sound system. If you can get offline,
then go to Options->Preferences->Game Sounds and make sure the devices
listed in the drop down boxes are all correct for the various sound devices
connected to the computer."
and sure enough that's where the problem was! I couldn't get to the options page but I did fix it through Device Manager ( in case any of you ever run across this again).
Thanks Skuzzy!
Hoggy
Skuzzy is a friggin genius!!!!!