I'd say find someone who has the file and copy it off them. But the crystal ball sounds good...

You COULD do that, but there might be more corrupted files that install after the one you mentioned. I guess it's always good to try. I think Coasterfreek would know more than I do, though.

Well, if they have the file I'm looking for, chances are that they'll also have the rest of the files. So I could copy it off them. Would that be illegal? I mean, it'd definitely be illegal if I just copied it off them with no knowledge of the game and hadn't bought it, but if I have bought the disc, and copied it off them so that I'd still be able to play the game, would that still be against the law?

Actually, this sounds like a different problem completely. Since you have windows XP, make sure you turn on automatic updates, which will download various C++ updates and fixes, which I think you may be missing. Also, make sure you have updated and installed the games patches. (which are not applied after you have just installed it)

How do I find the patches? And I've already got automatic updates turned on, so it should have already downloaded them and installed them, right?

okay, I've got a new problem. I really am starting to hate this computer. I found the files on my grandparents' computer and brought them back to mine, but it's loading and then crashing, then giving me the error message again, just like it did before I tried all this stuff.
I guess the crystal ball is starting to look like it is made of s***.

Well, my last option would be to buy a new game.

If someone didn't already recommend this, reinstall the game. The files are probably corrupted.

Did you happen to download it from the internet. That usually can make the game mess up like that.

Did you happen to download it from the internet. That usually can make the game mess up like that.

It usually ALWAYS has to do with a copy from the Internet.