If you have a Geforce card, they don't play nice with older 2D games.
Nah, ATI card. I might just try a new install without any of the fixpack etc. If that doesn't do it, it gets to run on my old computer (where it used to run fine for a number of years).
In the meantime, I bought myself Europa Universalis: Rome (I didn't really like the demo, but it was dirt cheap at 20 Aussie dollars) and Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe plus Acceleration Expansion pack. Should keep me occupied a bit.