After removing pspad completely from my pc and re-installing (using the same pspad 501 setup exe file I used to upgrade with, the program is working.
There is most definitely something wrong with the installation when upgrading over the original files. I am glad to have PsPad back working -- <https://forum.pspad.com/read.php?4,71135,71140> PSPad freeware editor https://www.pspad.com
