Digital Editions stops responding when opening ascm file

I use Digital Editions to read ebooks checked out from the library. I read one book fine. Returned it, downloaded another and now when I try to open Digital Editions says downloading content, never finishes, then msg "not responding". If I close and reopen DE I see the title and it says "loan", but it will not open to read and same "not responding" msg. I uninstalled DE, reinstalled and re-authorized. I am at my wit's end! Help!