I just wanted to add that UXTHEME.DLL patchers are not as reliable as with XP and Win 7. This theme patcher works with the memory and doesn't modify the .dll files. for some reason when I installed paint.net on reboot screen went black. That's when I tried 2 things. First, I disabled NOD and tried again. It went OK so my guess was NOD. When you said you could not repro, I then restored the machine and removed patcher. I installed all new software, rebooted and the issue was gone. I don't know why the software installed fine when I disabled NOD.
I just want you to keep this point in your files because those who use theme patchers might blame NOD if they get the same experience that I got.
If you see a post that invloves black screens, first thing to ask is do you have a patcher installed?
Thanks.