'Failed to find style mapViewStyle' error persists

I've been working on this app for almost a year now (senior project) when it just decided to break a few days ago. My application has been developed using Eclipse version 3.7.2 64bit targeting Froyo Android 2.2, using my Windows 7 64bit pc. So far I have tried:

• rearranging the uses-library tag in the manifest file
• rewriting the map xml file
• deleting the R.java file and refreshing
• placing the mapview element within a layout
• reinstalling eclipse and the android-sdk
• cleaning the project
• creating a style.xml file and referencing it
• deploying on a actual device
• reverting back to previous code

and possibly more...

My code is as follows: gmap.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<com.google.android.maps.MapView
xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:id="@+id/mapview"
android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="fill_parent"
android:clickable="true"
android:apiKey="0xMbgnc-el963gCdpl547hdkgXUILTskZr-T5uvg" // random key posted here
/>

AndroidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
  package="com.PubMe"
  android:versionCode="1"
  android:versionName="1.0">

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="8"/>


<application android:icon="@drawable/icon" android:label="@string/app_name">
    <uses-library android:name="com.google.android.maps" />
    <activity android:name=".PubMeActivity"
              android:label="@string/app_name"
              android:screenOrientation="portrait">
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category