[coffin filler]

Also what GPU do you have ?. Is it Directx9 fully compatable because if not this could be your problem. People without fully Directx9 GPU's can not run the game without altering the settings in advanced graphics card to allow the game to be run with Directx8 Shaders (by default this is set to off and needs to be set to on to allow the game to run without DirectX9 shaders (if your GPU isnt fully DX9). Many people have experienced the same or simela problems as yourself and this wont sort the problem out for all as there are many different things to be taken into concideration. My advice is to look on the official forums and the support feature for the game as the problem you discribed has been discused fully and it sounds as though its a Hardware or software/codec problem and not a crack problem. (always 1st point of call should be to make sure your drivers are upto date for GPU/Souncard ect)

Also i understand you cant alter the settings within the game menu as you cant get the game to run that far but again their is a way to do change the settings without the game neading to reach the menu screen wich is discused on the forums/support. Hope we have been able to offer a light at the end of a dark tunnel..

PS Good Game