Just downloaded Express Scribe v5.03 and it doesn't work in that either. To answer your questions:
When I load the same files without using drag and drop it loads perfectly it's just drag and drop that doesn't work.
No, the dictation doesn't appear in the list, no time duration, no status bar - nothing at all happens.
My original problem was when I upgraded to Windows 7 Express Scribe wouldn't play any files. Contacted Technical Support and they suggested to go revert back to Vista as Express Scribe was out before Windows 7 - that worked perfectly.
By the way what's happened to the file types in ES v5.03? Does it not list the file extensions that plays in ES anymore?
Thanks for all your help.