Deleting those files did the trick! I'm running 32-bit Vista so may not be the same issue as your tester.

I've included a DXDIAG in the hopes that it will help resolve the issue.

Thanks for the quick turn around, Joel.

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<QUOTE><s>[quote]</s>ORIGINAL: Ratsass<br/>
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I tried that <Esc> a few times during both the initial and re-load - nothing - still hangs up at the end of the intro. Only control/alt delete to the task manager gets me out from the hang up. Seems like the game is running in the background ...