Just installed the 64-bit Windows version of Blender 2.53 Beta on Windows 7 Home Pro. Installed as administrator, running as non privileged user. Installed into the default directory, which contained a previous working copy of Blender 2.49. (That installation appears to have been overwritten.)

The install completed without complaints, and Blender launched. The 3D window comes up and works properly, and the Scene pane comes up.

But the menu bar at the top is just a gray blank. No "File", etc. menu. Can't open any files. At "http://www.letworyinteractive.com/b/2009/12/common-blender-2-5-problems-and-how-to-fix-them/" this defect is described, but the claim there is that it will be "fixed in later versions", and that was written back in 2009. In any case, none of my directories have non-ASCII characters, although some have spaces.

Messages during loading don't look good. See below. Something isn't being found.

(It's generally considered a requirement of Windows installers, and mandatory for signed code, that they deal with any previous installations automatically and correctly. It is not a user responsibility to deal with this class of error.)

RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_toggle, WM_OT_context_toggle
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_toggle, WM_OT_context_toggle
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_toggle, WM_OT_context_toggle
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_toggle_enum, WM_OT_context_toggle_enum

RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value_1 not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value_2 not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_toggle_enum, WM_OT_context_toggle_enum

RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value_1 not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value_2 not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_enum, WM_OT_context_set_enum
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_enum, WM_OT_context_set_enum
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_toggle, WM_OT_context_toggle
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_toggle, WM_OT_context_toggle
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_enum, WM_OT_context_set_enum
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_enum, WM_OT_context_set_enum
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_enum, WM_OT_context_set_enum
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_toggle, WM_OT_context_toggle
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_cycle_int, WM_OT_context_cycle_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_boolean_set: OperatorProperties.reverse not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_cycle_int, WM_OT_context_cycle_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_boolean_set: OperatorProperties.reverse not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_cycle_int, WM_OT_context_cycle_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_boolean_set: OperatorProperties.reverse not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_cycle_int, WM_OT_context_cycle_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_boolean_set: OperatorProperties.reverse not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_toggle, WM_OT_context_toggle
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam, SEQUENCER_OT_cut_multicam

RNA_enum_set: OperatorProperties.camera not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_set_int, WM_OT_context_set_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_int_set: OperatorProperties.value not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_cycle_int, WM_OT_context_cycle_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_boolean_set: OperatorProperties.reverse not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_cycle_int, WM_OT_context_cycle_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_boolean_set: OperatorProperties.reverse not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_cycle_int, WM_OT_context_cycle_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_boolean_set: OperatorProperties.reverse not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_context_cycle_int, WM_OT_context_cycle_int
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.data_path not found.
RNA_boolean_set: OperatorProperties.reverse not found.
search for unknown operator CONSOLE_OT_execute, CONSOLE_OT_execute
search for unknown operator CONSOLE_OT_execute, CONSOLE_OT_execute
search for unknown operator CONSOLE_OT_autocomplete, CONSOLE_OT_autocomplete
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.url not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.url not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.url not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.url not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.url not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open
RNA_string_set: OperatorProperties.url not found.
search for unknown operator WM_OT_url_open, WM_OT_url_open