CodeCritter suggested I post this info here to see whether y'all can tease this out. Looking over the file myself, it almost looks like it wasn't installed properly. Here's the debug.err:
Debug Message: Version 1.50 last updated on: Wed Sep 17 11:56:23 2008
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 9/18/2008, 12:33:50
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: DHH-C9367B5BB40
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: OptiPlex GX260
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz
Physical Memory: 1278MB RAM
Page File: 758MB used, 874MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: RADEON 7500 SERIES
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: RADEON 7500 Series AGP (0x5157)
DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5157&SUBSYS_103A1002&REV_00
Display Memory: 32.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6614
Driver Date: 5/3/2006 11:51:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_01261028&REV_01
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Provider: Analog Devices
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3538
Driver Date: 12/19/2002 18:48:48
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Debug Message: *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message: Entering WinMain
Debug Message: ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message: Candidate Outlines: ON
Debug Message: Map Glow: ON
Debug Message: Candidate Animated Bobbling: ON
Debug Message: ParseCommandLine:
Debug Message: ERROR (CDrawManager): Unable to retrieve animation core pointer from the component factory.
Debug Message: Using 0 samples for multisampling.
Debug Message: Game Resolution: 1024 x 768 (full screen mode)
Debug Message: HAL (software vertex processing)RADEON 7500 SERIES
Debug Message: Presentation Interval: Immediate.
Debug Message: Refresh Rate: 0hz.
Debug Message: Back Buffer Bit Depth: X8R8G8B8.
Debug Message: 32-bit z-buffer using 24-bits for the depth channel and 8-bits for the stencil channel.
Debug Message: ** Checking Direct3D 9 Device Capabilities ************************************
Debug Message: A full-color cursor is supported in hardware at high resolution modes.
Debug Message: Bump mapping is supported.
Debug Message: Device is now ready
Debug Message: RGB in format 6:6:6, Masks reported as ff0000:ff00:ff
Debug Message: Shell initialization complete
Debug Message: ***** Initializing Game *****
Debug Message: No files found matching mask fonts\*.otf
Debug Message: Timer Frequency is 0 369e99
Debug Message: Initializing sound card.
Debug Message: initailizing bink
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Movies\*.bik
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Data\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Maps\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Candidates/Configs\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Candidates/Packages\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Gfx/Icons\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express/Maps\*.PM2MapListXML
Debug Message: Map list file loaded successfully!
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: Create setup screens.
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Candidates\Configs\*.candidatecfgxml
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch detected Shader 3.0, but the hardware technique failed to validate.
Debug Message: WARNING: Model Batch failed to validate shader technique. Attempting to find a valid technque.
Debug Message: Set mouse.
Debug Message: Set update timer.
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding FullScreenBink
Debug Message: Error flipping back buffer to primary buffer.
Debug Message: Device lost
Debug Message: ResourceManager::Invalidate
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\Candidate.fx has 43 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\CandidateOutline.fx has 16 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\ScreenSpace.fx has 9 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\basic.fx has 29 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\scene.fx has 22 refs
Debug Message: Device is now ready
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding LoginWnd
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 8
Debug Message: Tried to enter unprintable character: 9
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding LoginWnd
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Campaign\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Candidates\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Gfx\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Maps\.PM2Save
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Documents and Settings\bwarren2\My Documents\My Games\TPM2008Express\Snapshots\.PM2Save
Debug Message: Popup Manager Update: Unhiding BuyWnd
Debug Message: WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize start
Debug Message: Killing World
Debug Message: Killing World: Completed
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: Shutting down sound system.
Debug Message: Clearing sound and music handles.
Debug Message: GameUninitialize end
Debug Message: ResourceManager::Invalidate
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\Candidate.fx has 43 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\CandidateOutline.fx has 16 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\ScreenSpace.fx has 9 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\basic.fx has 29 refs
Debug Message: effect: C:\Program Files\Stardock Games\The Political Machine 2008 Express\Gfx\fx\scene.fx has 22 refs
Debug Message: LEAK (CLib3DComponentFactory): IRenderer refcount nonzero at release-time; 3229 refcount.
Debug Message: Main Shell terminating normally