.....very informational OP...wtf..... 
Since you gave me so much information to work with.......
1. Since you seem to be having "installation" issues, please try having all firewall/security/antimalware software disabled while performing the installation.
2. Please make sure you have up-to-date (and working) installations of IE7 and .NET. Both are required for Impulse to work correctly.
3. Make sure you run the installer with "admin credentials". You can download the latest FULL setup here: www.impulsedriven.com/Impulse_Setup_Full.exe
I would give you more steps, except by your meager OP I'm guessing you don't even get to the point where Impulse logs in?
Post back with more pertinent info and I'll be glad to hand over more suggestions...
the Monk
