I click the "Play Game" option on the launcher when it appears or go directly from the icon in the Program Files Directory and the game launches producing a black screen like it is going to begin, but then crashes. I've had the game for quite a while and have not had any problems before this. I also have the most recent update and have had it for a considerable amount of time.
Here's the error log:
Debug Message: Version 1.50 last updated on: Wed Sep 17 11:56:23 2008
Debug Message: *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 10/10/2008, 20:09:29
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
Machine Name: SANCTUSSERVUS
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080425-1930)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion dv6500 Notebook PC
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7700 @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Physical Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 1244MB used, 5093MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 8400M GS
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0427&SUBSYS_30CC103C&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1392 MB
Current Display Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution:
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.5665
Driver Date: 9/19/2007 05:05:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0268&SUBSYS_103C30CC&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5384
Driver Date: 3/12/2007 14:29:46
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0268&SUBSYS_103C30CC&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5384
Driver Date: 3/12/2007 14:29:46
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 1
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: 1280 x 800 (full screen mode)
Debug Message: HAL (hardware vertex processing)NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
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 da7a64
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\Data\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Campaign\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Maps\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Snapshots\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Candidates/Packages\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Candidates\*xml
Debug Message: No files found matching mask C:\Users\user\Documents\My Games\PolMachine2008/Gfx/Icons\*xml