Sorry, i was gonna help you but saw all the murder on your forum which i can't stand. So this is all the help i can provide.
#2 - Check the E-Mail if the activation link links to an accountnumber something like:
http://www.yoururl.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/verifyemail/verify/21283-e245yiejIf it does, check your control panel, point your mouse to the new user and check if the user_id matches. If not there's something going wrong with your regsitration sources.
#3 - Do you mean gallery island?
Rob