http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Account_Control? Kill it, with fire!
That may actually still be his issue. UAC causes NO issues for me, but it does for plenty of others.
OP- Is there a folder in the Data folder called Compatability? If so, your esp's are being saved there, just copy it into the Data folder instead. Or try running the CK as administrator. (Right click the program, properties, compatability, always run as admin, apply/okay)