Error downloading/activating game

I already posted my problem here: https://forums.galciv2.com/101596/page/2/#1936678

But given the fact that the last poster seems to have had the same problem I'm having, and posted in August, I'm not too hopeful of getting a reply any time soon.

I just bought GC2 Gold, but all efforts to install or play it have been futile.  When downloaded via Stardock Central, once the installation is complete, I get an "Error: 0" or something.  That's pretty much all it says.  A txt also pops up with this:

Application start: 2008-11-13 5.9.57

Silent mode

Mode 2

Submitting activation request...

Download: failed HttpSendRequest

Result parsing error (1)

Error activating the product

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

Once installed, trying to use the launcher to play the game brings up an activation screen where I have to enter my email address and the CD key.  If I do, I get an error (in a txt, like before) such as the following:

Application start: 2008-11-13 5.33.51

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - success

Mode 1, short info

Submitting activation request...

Download: failed HttpSendRequest

Result parsing error (1)

Error activating the product

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

If I simply click the X in the corner, I get another error, and the game aborts.  I know the CD key is being entered correctly, as I copied and pasted from Stardock Central (I think I registered the game using the CD key on the jewel case).  Immediately upon my first istallation of GC2 Gold, I immediately bought TA and tried installing that as well.  Well, needless to say, I'm reinstalling everything for the fourth or so time now, and it still doesn't appear to be working.  All in all, this reminds me of my first experience with Steam, after purchasing Half-Life 1 Anthology.  In that case, it wasn't until the day after I tried installing Half-Life that I could actually play it.  I don't know what else I can do, but it won't let me play the game.  I'm going to try just getting everything up to date via Impulse, since Stardock Central doesn't seem to be quite up to date on all the updates.  If that doesn't work, I'll probably have to take it up with Stardock tech support and see if they can help me.