Regarding 1/3 Loading issue...
I have nvidia 9700-Ultra card. Probably irrelevant.
Anyway, I tried all the hints given, including latest video drivers, older video drivers, turning off anti-aliasing, turning off sound, going back to save game right before going into mode where Loading locks up - nothing!
What finally worked for me was I had to go way back to a far-previously saved game (probably only 30-40 minutes of actual game time, but who likes to repeat things...) Followed mostly the same actions and battle sequences, yet surprisingly, at the time of reckoning - everything worked fine! Load proceeded as normal and game continued onwards.
For those interested, my loading issue occurred while leaving Telos on Ebon Hawk.
