Game installs but won't start. Worked before though

Hi all,

I've been itching to play an old game (MVP Baseball 2004). I know, I know, but nostalgia rules here. I installed it and played it last year (I think, maybe 2 years ago), and everything worked fine (I'm sure one of the random HP/win 7 updates is to blame).

I reformatted since then and recently tried to install it with no luck. Well, it installs, but when I try to play it, I click "Play", the button and the screen it's on disappears, and then nothing. I've tried various executables, and another option tells me I don't have the proper administrative privileges (I'm an administrator). I installed that "take ownership" thing a while back (not sure if that helps).

And, before you hate, the MVP series is really the best for gameplay IMO. Newer games have better graphics, but the actual baseball seems a bit off. Please help, I've got pouch of chewing tobacco, a bag of seeds and some gatorade waiting for me to get started!

Things I've tried:

• Reinstallation of game 2x
• Made a new user account (Also administrator)
• Tried running as an admin with multiple different compatibility settings

Things I'm contemplating:

• Dual-boot with windows XP (just for the game, but wonder how it'll affect my win7 game controller). But, to be honest, I'm worried I'll F up my win7. I can handle driver installs, so if you have any ideas how I can get that done the easiest, please let me know.
• Sledgehammer

If you've got any advice, including whether or not I should just do the XP dual-boot, I'm interested. I'm decent at working with PCs/ software, but nowhere near the level of you guys.

Cheers,

Matt

PS/ FYI: system specs just added

Hi all,

I figured I'd post a few other interesting notes:

Some programs refuse to start (like this one), so I doubt it's program specific. I wonder if that's why people read my super-interesting dilemma, but didn't have any input(?). Anyway, I'll try to open a program, see a brief command prompt window (too fast to read, and the timing is different each time, so screenshots have failed thus far, but then it disappears with no program activity. Nothing shows up in the task manager either.

Also, any input on the dual boot idea? Is that something I can handle with ease, or are there issues I need to worry about (aside from drivers). I'm worried the win7 option may be affected.

Also, would that xp install affect a win7 "joypad". I assume there's a driver, but then again, I assume software that worked in the past should work in the present!

Thanks for any input.

I'm sorry; I should've clarified: The elevated command window disappears before I can type anything into it. It literally flashes up, doesn't hand around long enough for me to be able to read any text, and the goes away just as quickly. So, I can't really do anything with it.

I made batch files for those commands, and get the same result:

"[SC] OpenService Failed 5:

Access is denied."

and, so I tried the second command anyway:

"[SC] StartService Failed 1058:

The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled device associated with it."

After that, I tried to run the game. I assume by now you know that didn't work! But, here's what did happen in case it helps. I tried the shortcut on the game cd-rom (lol, I actually used one of those/ not even a dvd back then). I was asked if I wanted to play; YES. The UAC window popped up, and I clicked whatever meant "yes, do this". Then, it disappeared and nothing happened. Nothing in task manager changed either.

Is there a way to force the batch file to use an elevated prompt? Or, do I have something corrupt? I assume a registry edit wouldn't be wise if I have to keep switching it back and forth? What about services? Could I use that to make the changes?

I also should note that windows explorer has stopped working a bunch recently. I've just pushed through it b/c I didn't have any time to fix it (or deal with any hurdles during the fix). Now, I have some time, so I'm willing to dig deeper. I'm sorry for not mentioning it before, because I feel like this is a larger problem than just a game not working!

I attached a screenshot of what happens when running an elevated command prompt. I spent a few minutes getting that screenshot because it pops up and disappears (it maybe stays for a 1/10th of a second) before I can do anything.

Is there a way to modify the shortcut to keep it up? I tried the /k thing.