Adobe Digital editions won't open

I''ve installed ADE but it won't open and I can't open an acsm file with it.  In either case I immediately get the
"Adobe Digital Editions and encountered a problem and must close".  I've searched several message boards and see many complaints about the intaller not opening or the installer not working properly but that is NOT the problem I'm having.  The program itself will not open after being succesfully installed.