Last night I finally convinced Acrobat X that I do not need to re-install and that the help files do exist. Copied C:/program files/common files/help (& help cfs) to corresponding location in program files (x86). I got Adobe Program Manager to run by copying from program files/Adobe/OOBE to program files (x86)/Adobe... ALL of this is stuff I should not have had to problem shoot for Adobe Installer Team. I am not paid to do programming, but to do my work, I need a working copy of these programs. (I am sorry if this is offensive to anyone at Adobe Systems, but having read so many similar questions like mine on both Windows and iOS systems, I felt it needed to be said.)
I know that Windows is great at squirreling away some hidden file, in some obscure folder, burried deep in some never used area of the system. It took me an hour to uninstall Creative Suite, use the so called removal tool, delete all registry files pertaining to Creative Suit, it's licensing, its sub systems and services, and all mentions of all programs associated with Adobe from EVERY user/Admin/guest folder, System folder, Program Files, ProgramFiles (x86),... Basically everything listed in the installer log and anywhere else I could find. Ran Speedy PC & Norton to verify Registry was intact. Ran Windows registry tool. Ran a separate Windows System File Checher. None of these programs detected any problems. So, I figured that was as close to a true clean install as I was going to get, especially sine all my other 64 bit programs DO work and I'm not wasting my time reinstalling Windows (and everything else).
Tried CS5 installer. Same issue - three of eight programs ran. Instead of removing my hair by force and since I was out if options, the Adobe Agent I have been trouble shooting with wanted me to try installing CS 6. I said why not. Downloaded it as a trial, and all but two start, and I just fixed the help file issue that the programs were having (and I must add CS 6 is pretty awesome when it works.)
So, after a full five weeks of problem solving I'm left with Ps and Il 64 bit being the last problem programs. Both give me an Error:1 at startup. I've tried changing privileges/ownership for all the affected folders/programs with no change in error message. At this point, I'm not sure exactly what is the problem or what file/registry/.dll or .log file isn't where it should be. However as I originally stated, Bridge 64 bit WORKS! The only difference I see is Bridge's Common File/Startup folder is not the same as Ps and Il 64 bit folders. It is really the only thing I can find.
What files, specifically are supposed to be in C:/Program Files/Common Files/Adobe/Startup Scripts CS 6 - for Ps and Il? (a screen shot of open folders and sub-folders would be great).
In that folder, Adobe Bridge has one file bridge-5.jsx. While Adobe Illustrator has illustrator-16.0.jsx and a folder illustrator-16.0. Inside the folder are all the language (illustrator-16.0_xx_XX.dat) files... All except the "en_US" file. Same situation with Photoshop 64 bit. I have absolutely no idea if this is signifficant, but so far, it's all I've found.
