Well yeah, I suppose it really shouldn't have taken that long to load the first time, but like I said, it works fine now.

Erm.... apparently you didn't read my last post. The problems solved and the game works fine now. There wasn't actually anything wrong, it just took a long time to load, but once it loaded all the way it worked fine.

You're right, that's exactly what the problem is. The game loads but it takes a long time to do it. So how do I fix it?

EDIT: Nevermind, now that it's loaded all the way to the main menu it runs normally. HA! ain't that a bitch! all this discussion about it and there never was a problem, I just have to learn to be more patient.

I'm running out of ideas. First of all, I'd try a different OS (I use both SuSE and XP). If that's not an option, I'd just start trying out different command-line options to see if anything helps. After that, I'd try using CVS snapshots and then compiling from source.

Hmm... well the different OS idea isn't an option, and I've tried the different command line options and they didn't work, so I guess that leaves that last option, which sounds much more complicated than anything I've previously attempted to fix a game. Still, if it's the only thing left that could work then I guess I should try it, or wait until the next version. Thanks for the help anyway.

OK, the program started but it did the same thing that it's always done. Here's the logfile:

argv[0] = [C:\Program Files\The Ur-Quan Masters\uqm.exe]
argv[1] = [--logfile]
argv[2] = [logfile.txt]
The Ur-Quan Masters v0.5.0 (compiled Feb  2 2006 03:24:27)
This software comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY;
for details see the included 'COPYING' file.

Initializing base SDL functionality.
Using SDL version 1.2.7 ( compiled with 1.2.8 )
Warning: %APPDATA% is not set. Falling back to "%USERPROFILE%\Application Data"
Warning: %USERPROFILE% is not set. Falling back to ".\userdata" for %APPDATA%
0 available addon packs.
Initializing Pure-SDL graphics.
SDL driver used: directx
SDL initialized.
Initializing Screen.
Set the resolution to: 320x240x32
1 joysticks were found.
The names of the joysticks are:
    Microsoft PC-joystick driver
VControl opened joystick: Microsoft PC-joystick driver
3 axes, 2 buttons, 0 hats.
Initializing SDL audio subsystem.
SDL audio subsystem initialized.
Opening SDL audio device.
    using dsound at 44100 Hz 16 bit stereo, 4096 samples audio buffer
Initializing mixer.
Mixer initialized.
Initializing sound decoders.
Sound decoders initialized.
   'starcon.lst' -- 12386 bytes
   'lbm/scclrtab.ct' -- 104466 bytes
We've loaded the Kernel
VideoDecoder_Load: Unknown file type
   'lbm/title.ani' -- 20 bytes
   'arilou.lst' -- 315 bytes
   'arilou/ariicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'arilou/aritext.txt' -- 407 bytes
   'arilou/arilou.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'arilou/arimicon.ani' -- 46 bytes
   'chmmr.lst' -- 389 bytes
   'chmmr/chmicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'chmmr/chmtext.txt' -- 353 bytes
   'chmmr/chmmr.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'chmmr/chmmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'human.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'human/humicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'human/humtext.txt' -- 331 bytes
   'human/human.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'human/hummicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'orz.lst' -- 349 bytes
   'orz/orzicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'orz/orztext.txt' -- 389 bytes
   'orz/orz.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'orz/orzmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'pkunk.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'pkunk/pkuicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'pkunk/pkutext.txt' -- 329 bytes
   'pkunk/pkunk.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'pkunk/pkumicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'shofixti.lst' -- 569 bytes
   'shofixti/shoicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'shofixti/shotext.txt' -- 395 bytes
   'shofixti/shofixti.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'shofixti/shomicon.ani' -- 46 bytes
   'spathi.lst' -- 415 bytes
   'spathi/spaicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'spathi/spatext.txt' -- 382 bytes
   'spathi/spathi.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'spathi/spamicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'supox.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'supox/supicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'supox/suptext.txt' -- 321 bytes
   'supox/supox.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'supox/supmicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'thradd.lst' -- 409 bytes
   'thradd/thricons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'thradd/thrtext.txt' -- 339 bytes
   'thradd/thradd.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'thradd/thrmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'utwig.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'utwig/utwicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'utwig/utwtext.txt' -- 315 bytes
   'utwig/utwig.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'utwig/utwmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'vux.lst' -- 293 bytes
   'vux/vuxicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'vux/vuxtext.txt' -- 249 bytes
   'vux/vux.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'vux/vuxmicon.ani' -- 46 bytes
   'yehat.lst' -- 392 bytes
   'yehat/yehicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'yehat/yehtext.txt' -- 425 bytes
   'yehat/yehat.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'yehat/yehmicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'melnorme.lst' -- 458 bytes
   'melnorme/melicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'melnorme/meltext.txt' -- 369 bytes
   'melnorme/melnorme.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'melnorme/melmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'druuge.lst' -- 321 bytes
   'druuge/druicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'druuge/drutext.txt' -- 333 bytes
   'druuge/druuge.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'druuge/drumicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'ilwrath.lst' -- 332 bytes
   'ilwrath/ilwicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'ilwrath/ilwtext.txt' -- 365 bytes
   'ilwrath/ilwrath.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'ilwrath/ilwmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'mycon.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'mycon/mycicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'mycon/myctext.txt' -- 329 bytes
   'mycon/mycon.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'mycon/mycmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'slylandr.lst' -- 277 bytes
   'slylandr/slyicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'slylandr/slytext.txt' -- 367 bytes
   'slylandr/slylandr.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'slylandr/slymicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'umgah.lst' -- 321 bytes
   'umgah/umgicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'umgah/umgtext.txt' -- 367 bytes
   'umgah/umgah.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'umgah/umgmicon.ani' -- 46 bytes
   'urquan.lst' -- 406 bytes
   'urquan/urqicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'urquan/urqtext.txt' -- 425 bytes
   'urquan/urquan.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'urquan/urqmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'zoqfot.lst' -- 412 bytes
   'zoqfot/zoqicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'zoqfot/zoqtext.txt' -- 367 bytes
   'zoqfot/zoqfot.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'zoqfot/zoqmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'syreen.lst' -- 321 bytes
   'syreen/syricons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'syreen/syrtext.txt' -- 343 bytes
   'syreen/syreen.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'syreen/syrmicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'blackurq.lst' -- 449 bytes
   'blackurq/blaicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'blackurq/blatext.txt' -- 429 bytes
   'blackurq/blackurq.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'blackurq/blamicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'androsyn.lst' -- 449 bytes
   'androsyn/andicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'androsyn/andtext.txt' -- 389 bytes
   'androsyn/androsyn.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'androsyn/andmicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'chenjesu.lst' -- 443 bytes
   'chenjesu/cheicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'chenjesu/chetext.txt' -- 369 bytes
   'chenjesu/chenjesu.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'chenjesu/chemicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm.lst' -- 440 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm/mmricons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm/mmrtext.txt' -- 395 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm/mmrnmhrm.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm/mmrmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'lbm/starcon.fon' -- 1 bytes
   'lbm/status.ani' -- 132 bytes
   'lbm/tiny.fon' -- 1 bytes
   'lbm/starcon.txt' -- 12781 bytes
   'lbm/activity.ani' -- 239 bytes
   'lbm/micro.fon' -- 1 bytes
   'lbm/menusnd.snd' -- 56 bytes
_GetSoundBankData(): loading lbm/menusnd01.wav
_GetSoundBankData(): loading lbm/menusnd02.wav
_GetSoundBankData(): loading lbm/menusnd03.wav
_GetSoundBankData(): loading lbm/menusnd04.wav
   'lbm/stars.ani' -- 60 bytes
   'lbm/astbig.ani' -- 492 bytes
   'lbm/astmed.ani' -- 452 bytes
   'lbm/astsml.ani' -- 452 bytes
   'lbm/blabig.ani' -- 168 bytes
   'lbm/blamed.ani' -- 168 bytes
   'lbm/blasml.ani' -- 168 bytes
   'lbm/boobig.ani' -- 191 bytes
   'lbm/boomed.ani' -- 193 bytes
   'lbm/boosml.ani' -- 194 bytes
Warning: Can't open 'lbm/mainmenu.ogg'
   'lbm/newgame.ani' -- 177 bytes
Warning: Can't open 'lbm/mainmenu.ogg'
   'lbm/newgame.ani' -- 177 bytes

Idea's anyone?

Here's a really wild idea; downgrade SDL to 1.2.7. I vaguely recall getting mysterious crashes with OpenGL on later versions of SDL on Windows 98, but 1.2.7 always seemed to work. Just overwrite the SDL.dll in the UQM directory (you may want to rename it first so you can put it back if this doesn't help).

Tryed that, got these errors:

The SDL_IMAGE.DLL file is linked to missing export SDL.DLL : SDL_Error.

A device attached to the system is not functioning.

I might have a look at those cvs snapshots at some point but I don't have the time right now.

No it doesn't crash. The loading process stops and doesn't start again. And on the rare occasion it makes it to the main menu you can hear a few noises when you press the up or down keys but if you hit enter they stop, and nothing else happens.

argv[0] = [C:\Program Files\The Ur-Quan Masters\uqm.exe]
argv[1] = [--logfile]
argv[2] = [logfile.txt]
The Ur-Quan Masters v0.5.0 (compiled Feb  2 2006 03:24:27)
This software comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY;
for details see the included 'COPYING' file.

Initializing base SDL functionality.
Using SDL version 1.2.10 (compiled with 1.2.8 )
Warning: %APPDATA% is not set. Falling back to "%USERPROFILE%\Application Data"
Warning: %USERPROFILE% is not set. Falling back to ".\userdata" for %APPDATA%
0 available addon packs.
Initializing SDL with OpenGL support.
SDL driver used: directx
SDL initialized.
Initializing Screen.
Set the resolution to: 640x480x32 (surface reports 640x480x32)
OpenGL renderer: RADEON 9200 DDR x86 version: 1.3.4054 Win9x Release
1 joysticks were found.
The names of the joysticks are:
    Microsoft PC-joystick driver
VControl opened joystick: Microsoft PC-joystick driver
3 axes, 2 buttons, 0 hats.
Initializing SDL audio subsystem.
SDL audio subsystem initialized.
Opening SDL audio device.
    using dsound at 44100 Hz 16 bit stereo, 4096 samples audio buffer
Initializing mixer.
Mixer initialized.
Initializing sound decoders.
Sound decoders initialized.
   'starcon.lst' -- 12386 bytes
   'lbm/scclrtab.ct' -- 104466 bytes
We've loaded the Kernel
VideoDecoder_Load: Unknown file type
   'lbm/title.ani' -- 20 bytes
   'arilou.lst' -- 315 bytes
   'arilou/ariicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'arilou/aritext.txt' -- 407 bytes
   'arilou/arilou.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'arilou/arimicon.ani' -- 46 bytes
   'chmmr.lst' -- 389 bytes
   'chmmr/chmicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'chmmr/chmtext.txt' -- 353 bytes
   'chmmr/chmmr.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'chmmr/chmmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'human.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'human/humicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'human/humtext.txt' -- 331 bytes
   'human/human.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'human/hummicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'orz.lst' -- 349 bytes
   'orz/orzicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'orz/orztext.txt' -- 389 bytes
   'orz/orz.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'orz/orzmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'pkunk.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'pkunk/pkuicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'pkunk/pkutext.txt' -- 329 bytes
   'pkunk/pkunk.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'pkunk/pkumicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'shofixti.lst' -- 569 bytes
   'shofixti/shoicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'shofixti/shotext.txt' -- 395 bytes
   'shofixti/shofixti.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'shofixti/shomicon.ani' -- 46 bytes
   'spathi.lst' -- 415 bytes
   'spathi/spaicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'spathi/spatext.txt' -- 382 bytes
   'spathi/spathi.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'spathi/spamicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'supox.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'supox/supicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'supox/suptext.txt' -- 321 bytes
   'supox/supox.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'supox/supmicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'thradd.lst' -- 409 bytes
   'thradd/thricons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'thradd/thrtext.txt' -- 339 bytes
   'thradd/thradd.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'thradd/thrmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'utwig.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'utwig/utwicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'utwig/utwtext.txt' -- 315 bytes
   'utwig/utwig.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'utwig/utwmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'vux.lst' -- 293 bytes
   'vux/vuxicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'vux/vuxtext.txt' -- 249 bytes
   'vux/vux.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'vux/vuxmicon.ani' -- 46 bytes
   'yehat.lst' -- 392 bytes
   'yehat/yehicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'yehat/yehtext.txt' -- 425 bytes
   'yehat/yehat.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'yehat/yehmicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'melnorme.lst' -- 458 bytes
   'melnorme/melicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'melnorme/meltext.txt' -- 369 bytes
   'melnorme/melnorme.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'melnorme/melmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'druuge.lst' -- 321 bytes
   'druuge/druicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'druuge/drutext.txt' -- 333 bytes
   'druuge/druuge.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'druuge/drumicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'ilwrath.lst' -- 332 bytes
   'ilwrath/ilwicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'ilwrath/ilwtext.txt' -- 365 bytes
   'ilwrath/ilwrath.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'ilwrath/ilwmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'mycon.lst' -- 304 bytes
   'mycon/mycicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'mycon/myctext.txt' -- 329 bytes
   'mycon/mycon.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'mycon/mycmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'slylandr.lst' -- 277 bytes
   'slylandr/slyicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'slylandr/slytext.txt' -- 367 bytes
   'slylandr/slylandr.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'slylandr/slymicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'umgah.lst' -- 321 bytes
   'umgah/umgicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'umgah/umgtext.txt' -- 367 bytes
   'umgah/umgah.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'umgah/umgmicon.ani' -- 46 bytes
   'urquan.lst' -- 406 bytes
   'urquan/urqicons.ani' -- 49 bytes
   'urquan/urqtext.txt' -- 425 bytes
   'urquan/urquan.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'urquan/urqmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'zoqfot.lst' -- 412 bytes
   'zoqfot/zoqicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'zoqfot/zoqtext.txt' -- 367 bytes
   'zoqfot/zoqfot.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'zoqfot/zoqmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'syreen.lst' -- 321 bytes
   'syreen/syricons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'syreen/syrtext.txt' -- 343 bytes
   'syreen/syreen.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'syreen/syrmicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'blackurq.lst' -- 449 bytes
   'blackurq/blaicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'blackurq/blatext.txt' -- 429 bytes
   'blackurq/blackurq.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'blackurq/blamicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'androsyn.lst' -- 449 bytes
   'androsyn/andicons.ani' -- 50 bytes
   'androsyn/andtext.txt' -- 389 bytes
   'androsyn/androsyn.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'androsyn/andmicon.ani' -- 47 bytes
   'chenjesu.lst' -- 443 bytes
   'chenjesu/cheicons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'chenjesu/chetext.txt' -- 369 bytes
   'chenjesu/chenjesu.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'chenjesu/chemicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm.lst' -- 440 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm/mmricons.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm/mmrtext.txt' -- 395 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm/mmrnmhrm.cod' -- 1 bytes
   'mmrnmhrm/mmrmicon.ani' -- 48 bytes
   'lbm/starcon.fon' -- 1 bytes
   'lbm/status.ani' -- 132 bytes
   'lbm/tiny.fon' -- 1 bytes
   'lbm/starcon.txt' -- 12781 bytes
   'lbm/activity.ani' -- 239 bytes
   'lbm/micro.fon' -- 1 bytes
   'lbm/menusnd.snd' -- 56 bytes
_GetSoundBankData(): loading lbm/menusnd01.wav
_GetSoundBankData(): loading lbm/menusnd02.wav
_GetSoundBankData(): loading lbm/menusnd03.wav
_GetSoundBankData(): loading lbm/menusnd04.wav
   'lbm/stars.ani' -- 60 bytes
   'lbm/astbig.ani' -- 492 bytes
   'lbm/astmed.ani' -- 452 bytes
   'lbm/astsml.ani' -- 452 byt

That's about as far as it usually gets. It made it to the main menu twice, out of God only knows how many attempts. 

I've recently downloaded this game and installed it on my computer but the game wont load. When I click on the .exe file a dos box and a blank screen come up. The dos box shows a loading procedure but frequently this stops. I've only made it to the menu once or twice but the menu won't work.

My system specs are as follows:

OS: Windows 98 SE
Processor speed: 433mhz
Ram:256mb
Graphics card:Radeon 9200 with 128mb of video memory

I've done a logfile and found it contains a couple of error messages:

Warning: %APPDATA% is not set. Falling back to "%USERPROFILE%\Application Data"
Warning: %USERPROFILE% is not set. Falling back to ".\userdata" for %APPDATA%

VideoDecoder_Load: Unknown file type

Can anyone help me, I'd really like to be able to play this game.