I have the gold edition on a win XP tower. After installation it ran perfectly the first time, but after that what I click the desktop or star menu icon, press the 'play' button on the autorun menu or even click on the .exe itself the spinning disk cursor would be there for a few seconds and then nothing happens. The task manager shows that the process gets up to 29,532 k and then closes. Any idea whats wrong?

The desktop shortcut is at fault. Delete that. Then go to the program files folder, right click on the RCT3.exe file and create a shortcut. Put the new shortcut in a location of your choice – on the desktop is fine. Then use your new shortcut to launch the game.

The desktop shortcut is at fault. Delete that. Then go to the program files folder, right click on the RCT3.exe file and create a shortcut. Put the new shortcut in a location of your choice – on the desktop is fine. Then use your new shortcut to launch the game.

Tried it, still won't work...

I still need help with this.

Try uninstalling it then re-install it.

How much was you able to do the first time you ran the game?

How old is the tower/cdrom drive?

Is the game disc clean and free of scratches?

Try uninstalling it then re-install it.

I'll say what happens.

How much was you able to do the first time you ran the game?

About 3 hours.

How old is the tower/cdrom drive?

About 6 months to a year old.

Is the game disc clean and free of scratches?

There are a few small ones, I hope that isn't the issue..

Answers in italics.

The computer doesn't seem old enough to have rom drive problems due to dust on the lens unless it is in a very dusty environment. A cheap temp fix for a dirty drive is to open the rom drive door and blow into it. You can also buy a disc that has two tiny brushes on it that sweep dust off of the lens. Radio Shack has them as will other large chain stores that sell computer stuff.

You can also try installing the game on a different computer. If it has the same problem on a different computer the problem is the game disc. If it works on a different computer then it is probably the rom drive of the XP Tower.

Small scratches on the disc shouldn't effect it. Deep gouges on the lable side that go into the silver coating underneath will prevent a disc from being readable

I tried reinstalling and got the same result, looks like I need a new disk (My disk drive works fine, I play several other games with disks on this.). :(

(Redundant post removed)

You should try the disc on a different computer before you buy a new game.