Forgot to tell you guys... tech support did email me back.

Now remember that I joked about how I removed the RF extender and was using the remote as a really expensive 880... well catch this...

"Dear paul,

Thank you for your recent inquiry about your Harmony Remote

I have checked you account and the RF extender has not been added as an RF device in the account. Please follow the steps below to add the RF extender to the account so you can control the devices connected to the RF extender.
(continues with instructions)...
"

Aww crap...!!!!
So I emailed him back... haven't heard yet...

BTW: The unit is now set up to perfection as an 880. But when I add the RF unit, I now get that Java error every time too (which I know I can fix by removing the DVD player from the setup). I'm not going to bother until I hear from them that they know what can fix the 'connect' problem.