"So try changing it to gauge01 to see if that helps." done, doesn't help

"If it isn't that, the only other thing I can think of, is that you have TWO (2) [Window07]'s in you panel.cfg."

just checked I've got one and only one [Window07]

just to mention that shf+9 works fine to open [Window08] (gauge00= CSWeapon!hud2d, 0, 0, 400, 400) with both 2D and Vc cockpits (smaller 2D HUD in Vc)

still mysterious