Smart CAT issues

I have been pulling my hair over this.  I have a fresh install of Windows 7 on a computer dedicated to the radio. No software other than v1.3, log4OM, WSJT-X, WSPR, Omnirig (for log4OM).  I also have a USB to four port Serial (RS-232) (COM4,5,6,7) 'hub' that I connect my SteppIR BigIR controller to on COM7(via DDUtil), an FTDI USB cable going to my Elecraft W2 watt meter (COM3), and a Flex Controller (COM10).

I can get it all working well.  Then all of a sudden something goes sideways and I get the Exception Timeout error mentioned elsewhere occurs  (not sure what sequence of actions makes it happen).  After the physical COM ports disappear from SmartSDR CAT and communication between the apps mentioned above stop working.  I have cold booted the radio, reset the radio by holding the power button and wiping the settings in the radio, the computer, etc.  Eventually, I figured out that I have to boot it all up, delete the virtual ports in SmartSDR Cat, unplug the USB cable that runs the serial port hub, reboot the computer again, plug the serial port hub in, turn on the radio, then SmartSDR and all the trimmings. Then, after verifying all is right with the physical ports are in place, start reconfiguring the virtual ports (I am using dedicated option) in SmartSDR CAT.  I have also tried deleting the config files in the Windows %appdata% folder.

Everything will work fine for a while, the Exception Error happens again and then I have to start all over. I have a few days until my 30 days is up from purchase.  I have spent more time fiddling with configuration than I have operating on the air.  I am an IT guy, so I am more tolerant than most when it comes to computer issues and I am extremely competent as a PC desktop tech (15 years of experience) but I am really considering returning the radio.  When it works, it works extremely well and is a joy to operate, but since the v1.3 release SmartSDR CAT and the radio itself has been really flakey.  Yes, I could roll back to previous version but I rely upon profiles as I am a digital and phone mode operator (more fiddling and less operating).

I am going to wipe my computer and start over again in the next day but I have no hope that my experience will be any better.

K5RHD
/randy