XML Configuration Error on Start-up - "Root Element Missing" (1 Viewer)

[bigd_train]

TV-Server Version: 1.1
MediaPortal Version: 1.1
MediaPortal Skin: Default
Windows Version: Vista SP1

On start up media portal tvclient crashes with an error

System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: Root element is missing. (C:\Program Files\Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal\MediaPortal.exe.config) ---> System.Xml.XmlException: Root element is missing.

I have reinstalled twice now and still get the same error. Very strange as the xml file in question appears to be correct...

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<configuration>
<runtime>
<assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1">
<probing privatePath="plugins\process"/>
</assemblyBinding>
</runtime>
<appSettings>
<add key="version" value="1.0.2.0"/>
</appSettings>
</configuration>

Any help greatly appreciated!

Dave