Okay, so for now, if you need the BTC you can get the private key like this (URL below) and then you can import (sweep) those BTC from any other wallet that can import/sweep (including Bitcoin Core client, if you want to download the blockchain, or a Web wallet). Please remember to leave a bit of BTC in at the address because small amounts are needed to pay for transaction fees when/if you send any Counterparty wallet out of the address (e.g. you can leave 0.01).
The second issue is how to fix this. I can’t tell what the problem might be. We’ve heard of just a handful of complaints (basically you two). I’ll check with the devs what this might be.