alright, so i finally figured out what the mysterious problem is when LunaticRave pops up a window and then disappears again when you try to either 'play' or cache files.
the problem is with a missing font file 'FixedSys'. i thought this font was standard to all windows installs, but i guess i was wrong because i can't find it on my laptop.
i have edited the config file, available
HERE to use the font 'MS Pゴシック' instead. this font is standard in the 'use east asian fonts' language pack which you need to have installed to run LR anyway. an alternative solution is to track down and install the 'FixedSys' font.
so i think these are the most common errors now:
ERROR'himawari' error on running config
SOLUTION make sure 'standards and formats' in 'regional language options' is set to 'japanese'.
ERRORwindow pops up but disappears again on running or caching
SOLUTION (method outlined above)
Other errors:
make sure standards and formats setting is correct.
make sure fonts for east asian languages are installed (second tab of 'regional and language options)
ensure AppLocale is installed and you are running config.exe with japanese locale.