Canon EOS utility and OSXML 10.8.1. Crashes on USB connection to Camera

I have my new MacBook Retina Pro complete with OSX 10.8.1. 🙂

I am trying to connect my Canon 7D DSLR camera to my mac via the current Mac Canon EOS Utility 2.11.4, in order to update the firmware on my Canon camera.

EOS Utility launches fine, without the camera connected via USB.

Launching EOS Utility with the camera connected however, causes the program to crash with a 'EOS Utility quit unexpectedly' msg!

I have re-installed the Utility countless times, tried to go down a version (doesn't work with ML), tried different USB cables thinking perhaps one of them may have been glitchy/faulty etc, but all to no avail.

So, here's the million dollar question. What is going on?

How do I update the firmware on my camera (let alone use the other features intended with the utility software)?

The software works without the camera, but not when the camera is connected and switched on.

I don't have an external CF Card reader. Whilst the camera works fine otherwise (iphoto file transfer etc), the Canon Utility crashes when talking to the 7D.

Canon USA mention drivers for Mountain Lion will be available early October.

Does anyone know of any workaround/solution in the mean time?

thanks for help.