Arcanum tech help needed!!

[Melusine]

I have just installed Arcanum on my PC but the game doesn't run. After installing and rebooting, when I click the button to start the game, I can see a loading screen for about a split second, after which I am thrown back to the desktop. I went to the official site, where they gave two solutions:
1. Download the latest version of Windows installer
2. Use Ctrl+Alt+Del to close off any programs running in the background and make a completely clean install.

I tried both of them, installed the latest patch, but it didn't help.
I was really looking forward to starting a new game, any hints to what might be going wrong? Oh I'm running Windows 98 second edition, have a Diamond Viper V770 Ultra card, my system meets the minimal requirements and that's all I know since I'm a helpless baby when it comes to computer and tech stuff. Heeeeeelp!!

[Kakero]

I got the same problem too. can anyone help?

[Wulfere]

have you installed the latest drivers for your video card?
I just bought the game today and it is running great on my XP system.

[Sir Krustin]

Did you check the readme for any potential issues?
Do you have the latest version of DirectX installed?
Are there any patches available from the game publishers?
If so, have you installed them?

Patching the game to upgrade it to a newer version sometimes solves crashing issues.

I suspect your video card may be the problem, but I can't be sure without knowing more.

[Luvian]

I can tell you that the game work on Windows 98, as I still have the first edition. Also, I am using a low end computer.

[Kakero]

nope, sure not video card problem. I tested it on computer using ATI Radeon 8500 128 mb, and on TNT Riva something something , and on 3dfx voodoo 3 2000, and on Geforce 4 something something. still the game won't run. all had latest drivers.

applying the latest game patch didn't work at all.

[Luvian]

It can't be a video card problem, as I amusing a Vodoo 3 3000, and it work for me.

[Sir Krustin]

This is a shot in the dark. Scan for virii, and run adaware.

[Wulfere]

I suppose it is very faintly possible that they have purchased a corrupted disc. You could try taking the Game back to the store and getting another copy.

I have noticed one problem with Arcanum on my machine. I have an MS wireless BLUE optical mouse. It works great ...except for Arcanum. For some reason I need to have the mouse right next to the reciever or else I have to repeated click on everything. When it does work I have to move the mouse away from what I just clicked on because it will sit there as if it is locked up until I do move it. On the startup screen, when you try to load or create a new game it will act exactly like the machine has locked up. Nothing moves and the sound of the click recycles for as long as you leave the mouse over the button. I can surf the internet from across the room but I can't play Arcanum unless the mouse is on the desktop 4 inches from the damned reciever! And yes brand new Duracell batteries are in the mouse.

[Sir Krustin]

Funny you should say corrupt disc. I was just thinking that it was possibly a copy protection problem. Does Arcanum need the cd in the drive to play? If so, try a NoCD patch and see if runs.