I've got the same problem, mini image doesnt work - Disc could not be authentificated...
Running WinXP Pro SP2, done the reg tweak (also the one for Alcohol120%, because I've got it), StarNm disabled my drives but still...
Using the Hoodlum crack now (yea, it crashed at the beginning of war campaign, but I started the game v1.0, finished first war mission and then updated), but after finishing chapter and seeing cut-scene the game crashes and corrupts my last saved game (cant be loaded, it crashes again, previous saves works)... I'm quite pissed off