Hi Kyle,
OK - we have confirmed that ioncube is correct for server. Even tested an install in web root (where Joomla is also installed) and we get the same error.
I have even used the ioncube loader wizard to grab details in case they help you to see a problem.
ionCube Loader Wizard
Additional Information
Loader is at: /home/xxxxxxxxx/public_html/ioncube/ioncube_loader_lin_5.2.so
Loader OS code: lin
Loader architecture: x86-64
Loader word size: 64
Loader PHP version: 5.2
Loader thread safety: No
Loader compiler: glibc2.3.4
Loader version: 4.2r2
File size is: 1050840 bytes.
MD5 sum is: 49a77bf1136055f21391deec8985aa9d
Loader file: Download loader file
Loader found in ini file: Yes
OS extra security: None
PHPRC is: /home/xxxxxxxxx/public_html
INI DIR is: EMPTY
Additional INI files: (none)
Server type is: SHARED
PHP uname: Linux gatorXXXX.hostgator.com 3.2.31 #1 SMP Wed Oct 10 19:15:25 EDT 2012 x86_64
Server word size is: 64
Disabled functions: dl
Writeable loader locations: /home/xxxxxxxx/public_html, /home/xxxxxx, /home/xxxxxxx/public_html/cgi-bin
If you require admin access then please let me know and I will PM details.
Regards
David