i think running steam in offline mode is supposed to fix the issue as well...
...Put it on offline mode yesterday after this conundrum.
Actually, a better solution would be to just right click on "Empire: Total War", then click properties, followed by a click on the "Updates" tab. Once on this tab, hit the drop down menu, and select, "Do not Automatically Update this Game". Another awesome thing to do if you want to guarantee a trainer always works; is to simply backup the game after its been patched, and you have confirmed the trainer works. That way if with future patches the trainer doesn't work, or CH.com stops updating the trainer, you won't be screwed.
[Edited by tscolin, 7/12/2009 8:22:34 PM]