So, like most, I downloaded the update yesterday. After a 2 hours update, got the game loaded, and of course - dark. I found on the SWTOR forums someone said to change the Shader setting. I was all ready to do that after work. Loaded the launcher. 4 times. Once, the screen froze with the "once upon a time" title. Twice it froze after "The Eternal Empire has taken Voss". This is where I tried updating the DirectX bit. The 4th try, everything seemed to be going faster, smoother. I had high hopes. The screen didn't freeze until "The Eternal Empire has taken Voss. Our forces await your command".
So. I am open to suggestions. I have seen where someone says to launch via Steam, but I'd really like to avoid that route.
Edited to add that I have also tried the C++ route. Still no luck. Will try uninstalling the whole thing, and re-installing.