[Message Edited by original poster].
I deleted my original message and would rather post another hint / solution to make the game running after successful installation. I learnt this the difficult way.
Regardless of graphical hardware, make sure your DirectX has the full hardware acceleration (if supported) activated by typing in "dxdiag" at the Start --> Run command prompt. Check the tabs in the option for sound for "Hardware Acceleration."
After hours of frustration, I figured that out! Game runs now. Immensely pleased thus far with Obsididan's efforts in regard to gameplay.
