ACX Wont start up? Please help!

[Black Sunrise]

Ok, I've been playing for a couple years.
About once a week, I cant start up.
I run the program, I get a black screen, and it never goes to the screen that allows me to pick AC or ACX. I have to ctrl-alt-del and end task it, AC is "not responding".
The problem usually resolves after 2-4 days, and 50 reboots.
Nothing I do seems to affect it.
Not reinstalling.
Not rebooting.
Not freeing up more HD space and uninstalling lots of other stuff.
This usually happens after a TerranX error/crash.
ANY help MUCH appreciated.
This is driving me nuts.
Indra

[Wiglaf]

This is a real common problem, but luckily (or sadly, in this case), I've never had it occur to me. Try searching for "terranx" in these forums.

I found this thread, http://apolyton.net/forums/showthrea...light=terranX, that could help fix your problem..

Do you have a wheelmouse? Is directx up to date? Do you have enough RAM?

Sorry, but I'm sure some others around here can fix this for you...

[Black Sunrise]

Wheelmouse, yes, but mswheel does not run on my system.
DirectX, installed off the CD, I presume, every time I reinstall the game ( at least once a week in frustration ).
Ram, 128 megs, hard drive space, 4 gigs free.
Windows 98.

Also, the problem happens when starting the game, not during play. Basically, when you start up, the sceen goes black, with little hourglass, flashes, hourglass is big, flashes, hourglass is small, then you get the screen asking if you want AC or ACX. Mine goes up to the hourglass going small, then doesn't ever get the screen offering which game to play.
Indra

[Wiglaf]

Do you have the planetary pack?

[Black Sunrise]

I don't have the planetary pack, I bought the disks seperately (I've been playing for quite a while).
Indra

[Wiglaf]

Playing the original SMAC, no CD in the drive and patched up by Firaxis, does not present this problem?

Try searching these boards a bit, this problem has been discussed before IIRC...

[death_head]

This is going to sound weird, but the last time SMAC/X wouldn't start up for me, I fixed the problem by re-installing my sound card. I have no idea if it was random, co-incidental, or whether you should try it too.