>>It did help - thanks a lot! Got SQL Server 2008 R2 Developer version delivered this morning, was able to remove remnants of 4(!) various SQL Server versions from my computer. Everything is working now.
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>Just curious. Did the Server 2008 Developer version came as R2? Because some months ago I ordered it (the SQL 2008 Developer edition) specifically asking the MS person (on the phone) that I want the R2 version. But I got the version without R2. I am wondering if I got the wrong version or MS started sending the R2 version now.

I don't remember if you had this question before, but I think I believed that SSMS for R2 is the same as SSMS for SQL 2008.
According to Jean Kang it's not the case

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqlgetstarted/thread/ca91c0b3-9de9-424f-bdbd-3fc3b9056f7d