We're having issues programming remotes with 64 bit versions of Windows 7 and 8.

Can someone explain to me exactly what a virtual machine is and how to do it properly?

I, and many others, have been using CCP in 64bit Windows 7 and 8 environment for years.

whats the problem?

I cannot connect to the 890 and the 980 have issues connecting to our PC's. We have both a Windows 7 64 Bit and a Windows 8.1 64 Bit.

I can program and load the MX 780 without issue.

I can program any remote in the suite just cant load. I also cant connect to the MSC400 with these machines.

I assume you tried running as Administrator?

I tried administrator.

A bunch of us had a similar problem a few years back...But I think it was XP that was throwing the monkey in the wrench. 

For the life of me, I can't remember the resolution that worked for me.  I think it may have been deleting and re-installing CCP

Ive never had issue with 7 or 8.  

Here.  Read this thread.  This is probably your fix  or not.

[Link: remotecentral.com]

You can't use a 64-bit computer for programming a mc400. It can only be programmed with a 32-bit one. I have a old laptop that I kept just for programming those.

Longshot -

Microsoft's own Windows XP mode has worked well for me with the MSC-400 from several 64-bit Windows 7 machines:

[Link: windows.microsoft.com]

The very simplistic description is that this provides a 32 bit Windows XP environment running on your 64-bit PC hardware. Windows 7 (or 8) is used as the 'hypervisor' to intermediate access to hardware resources (CPU, memory, USB devices) and administer the virtual machine, but Windows XP effectively behaves as though it is running standalone on bare 32 bit hardware.

Basic steps as best I can recall:
1. Install XP mode and start the XP virtual machine
2. From within XP Mode, run Windows Update, install Microsoft Security Essentials so you have some antivirus protection
3. From within XP Mode, install CCP
4. Connect your USB devices and from Windows 7/8, make them accessible to the XP machine
5. You should then be prompted to install drivers and proceed as normal from within XP.

Post back if you run into problems and I can review my own setups to help.

Try running CCP in Compatibility Mode. From the Start menu, go to CCP and right-click on the CCP icon and select Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab and in the Compatibility Mode section check "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and select Windows XP Service Pack 3.

First thing is do you have windows mobile device (manager?) 6.1 loaded and working properly on the computer...the remotes will not connect without it.

2nd, uninstall and reinstall CCP.

These two solutions have resolved pretty much any issues I've had over the years.

I just installed the Windows mobile center 6.1. I will see if it works.

Thanks guys. Saved me from buying a new PC or software for no reason.

Jon, 
please update the title since we're not talking about VMs any longer.

Also, 
If this doesn't work, looks like you're going to be sub'ing your CCP programming to your best friend :-) 
Hasbeen, get ready for lots and lots of work.