Can't you read them with Freeimage into a replica Timage system (or extend it as Dreamora suggests) and keep them in VRAM by not using default DX Texture Manager?
You might want to post the code, texture and full error messages.
I can't remember anybody discussing the use of DDS textures before (other than yourself) or anybody working with them (ditto). It is obviously a tricky area (I take it you are from a programming house so must be quite skilled in DX/OGL yet you are struggling) so I don't think people are going to drop what they're doing to work it out for you. The options I can see : Make it as easy as possible for somebody to help (e.g. provide code, textures etc) or give them an incentive to do it (payment or through technical interest).
You might want to post the code, texture and full error messages.
I can't remember anybody discussing the use of DDS textures before (other than yourself) or anybody working with them (ditto). It is obviously a tricky area (I take it you are from a programming house so must be quite skilled in DX/OGL yet you are struggling) so I don't think people are going to drop what they're doing to work it out for you. The options I can see : Make it as easy as possible for somebody to help (e.g. provide code, textures etc) or give them an incentive to do it (payment or through technical interest).