I guess it depends if you're using it or just developing with it - which I am.

I've got the Action Pack for Development and Design - £300 ish, which includes...

Upgrade to SQL 2008 R2 and the problem goes away.

It's got to be cheaper than spending 4 days??

No because no need.

I did find, however, that I had to remove all uses of the called parameters inside the SP, and ensure that they were ALL changed...

My SQL 2008 installation is now fatally crippled. Luckily all my customers are on SQL 2005 and SSMS 2005 is working OK with those databases.

I tried the Registry workaround,...

Many thanks for that - which has probably saved me hours if not days of frustration!

Clive, London UK