Hi Qmed,
Here's what I've been recommending. Some of it you've tried already though.
If all else fails, maybe it's the type, brand or model CD ROM drive you're using.
Here are a few possible causes for games not loading after installation:
0. Before we begin, please save a restore point for your system.
How to use Windows XP System Restore:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/gethelp/systemrestore.asp
1. Kazaa or Kazaa light is installed on your system.
- Uninstall the game(s) and Kazaa, and reinstall from original CD.
2. Multiple CD drives on your system including Virtual CD drives.
- Disconnect all but the main CD drive and try the game. You
might have an older drive, or a CD Writer which is incompatible
with the Safe Disk copy protection on the CD. (Contact Vendor).
3. Your antivirus or application firewall might be conflicting with it.
- Disable the software temporarily.
4. There might be a patch available for your game to correct the issue.
- Try
www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a/ or the game's site.
5. Your desktop may need to be set at least 800x600 and 16 colors.
- Click Start / (Settings) Control Panel / Click Display
6. Your Video, Sound, or Monitor drivers may need updating.
- Try updating your Video drivers using the instructions at:
http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers
7. You might be affected by problems similar to the Insert CD error.
- Try the advice and DL at:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=228985
8. You might have software running on your system which is causing conflicts.
- Temporarily disable Startup programs one at a time, starting with Firewall,
AV, and ad blockers using:
http://new.jtsoft2001.com/windows/startup.php
You can lookup what a program does before you disable it here:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm
9. Maybe a Microsoft Security patch is the culprit. The only way to be sure is
to Unplug from your Internet connection, and then repair Windows using
this method:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
After you reboot, try the game again. If it works, save a new restore point.
Lastly, boot up your system, turn on your XP Internet Firewall, plug back
into your Internet connection and install all Critical and Recommended updates
from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com one at a time. Test the game after
each update to determine which one is causing the game not to start on your PC.
--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
Game FAQs:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite:
http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________
| In XP, most games will only run once or twice (perfectly) after install, after that, absolutely nothing happens. I've tried
disabling my second CD drive, doing a "clean start-up", re-installing (millions of times), and getting current drivers. I've
re-formatted my hard disk and reinstalled windows and downloaded patches. Anything listed in these forums I've probably tried, but I
still need help. I've read of other people having the same problem, mostly with Mcrsft Cmbt Flght Sim 3; other problem games for me
tend to be newer, bigger games like Vice City etc.
| Any advice?
| Maybe some background program running...virus...bug...bad system config...bad karma from that rain-forest I burned..?
|
| Windows XP... what's up?
