Namur: Was it already behaving like that before you fixed the saves issue or did it began behaving that way after you fixed it ?
Did you create a new shortcut pointing to the .exe in the new folder, the folder you created to correct the saves issue ? If you didn't, create one and tick the 'run as admin' and 'disable visual themes' on that shortcut and use it to launch the game. Maybe tick compatibility mode for XP SP 3 too.
If you're not that far along and the above doesn't fix it, you could try to reisntall Riven making sure you grant adequate permissions to the game executable(s) from the start.
1 - unistall
2 - delete the duplicate folder (and everything in it) you made to correct the saves issue, you can always do that again if required once the game is reinstalled
3 - Reinstall by right clicking on the installer and choosing 'run as admin' instead of double clicking on it.
4- Once it's installed go to the game shortcut the installer placed on your desktop and tick the 'run as admin' and 'disable visual themes' checkboxes, and maybe XP SP3 compatibity mode.
That's all i can think of right now, hope it helps
Thank you Namur. I couldn't tell if it would freeze or not because I would go only a little ways while experimenting with the save issue. Yes, I put the .exe file in a different folder, etc etc. What finally fixed it was compatibility for XP SP2 and shutting off water movement. Then I could play for a long as I wanted w/o freezing.