I searched this forum for "patch" and found a couple of possibilities.

1. Did you double-check that you downloaded the correct language patch for your original game? The languages must match or the patch will fail, and possibly corrupt the install.

2. What version of Windows are you using? The patch may have issues with newer versions.

3. You said you re-installed the game to get it working again (good idea), and my suggestion is to double-check the version it shows now. You can see the version in the top left of the screen that first appears after the intro cinema. If you see 1.0.1.0 appear then the game is already patched. I wanted to mention that since some players do not realize the GOG & Steam versions come with the patch already applied.

4. If all else fails and you really want the patch, then just go to www.GOG.com and buy a digital version of it. It is quite cheap at GOG, comes already patched, and runs fine. I did this a couple of years ago, and wish I had done it sooner (so nice to be rid of the game CDs, not to mention newer laptops and PCs no longer come with CD drive readers).

[This message has been edited by Gweilo (edited 11-11-2022 @ 08:20 AM).]

Thanks. Out of interest where is the search function as I couldn't see it?

I'm sure it was the right patch but I tried the process again just in case and the same thing happened.

I'm on windows 11. With a couple of the compatibility settings set up the game runs fine without the patch (apart from the bugs). As soon as the exe is version 1.0.1 it stops.

Unfortunately as it's the original disk version it's certainly 1.0.0 on install. It also says this on the exe before patching.

The lack of CD drives you mention is exactly why I wanted to get it done before a new build since it has been in my backlog for nearly 2 decades. I finished Pharoah & Cleo earlier this year for the same reason.
To be fair I have an external drive now anyway for windows installs but I'm on the last campaign so would like to see it through now.
I'll keep on with 1.0. I had to do one mission with a single mill and I already know I've got to go back to that town.

The forum search tools are located on the main forum topic page for each forum (Emperor, Zeus, etc.). You have to scroll to the bottom of the topic page to see it. For Emperor, the search button appears in the middle of a blue banner. It allows a search by Author or Topic (i.e. "keyword"). Important: look to the far left side of the search button and you will see a box labeled "Go Back", which defaults to 365 days. Before searching you should alway remove 365 and put the word "all" there, which triggers a complete historical search.

Hope this helps.