Problem playing SD2 games

[Zril]

Here's my problem: When I try to play SD2 protected games (more specifically Max Payne and Civ3), all that happens is that the splash screen appears, then immediately disappears, no error message, nothing. This is with the original CDs too, not burnt copies.

But the really really strange thing is, when I bought Max Payne the week after it came out, the game -did- work, for all 3 times I played through it, then one day I was going to try a new mod, when this problem occured. I didn't really think too much of it then, I'd played enough of it for a while. I uninstalled, erased all the folders, etc.

A few weeks ago, I wanted to try the Kung Fu mod v2 for MP, so I reinstalled, and lo and behold, the problem was still there. I was pissed, but I just got the 1.05 no cd crack, thinking it was just a weird MP problem.

But noo, I got Civ3 today, and damn thing doesn't work at all, even though I can install with no problems. Can anyone think of why this may be? Remnants of Daemon-tools? Copy protection circumventing programs I have on my HD? Sigh...just pisses me off.