Well use the IR server suite instead, it works fine withe the latest release of MP. Check the first post of Aaron here:
IR Server Suite - Version 1.0.4.1
As for using number keys, you have to remove some keys from the registry.
Take a look at the help file
IR Server Suite - Documentation
and go under Appendices/MCE IR device driver improvement then "how to"
Et voilą... Simple non?