The first thing you can try is running in Compatibility. Right-click RCT.exe, go to Compatibility and select Windows 95 from the dropdown menu.
You can also fiddle around with disabling themes, desktop composition and 256-colour mode.

And just in case, what are your system specs? (Use this utility if you're unsure: https://dl.dropbox.com/...)

I would also like to know if anyone has found a fix, I have tried the "patch" which fails to find the game even when I specify the target directory. Compatibility mode does not work either.

I have the same problem. Any help would be nice.

Unfortunately, none of that helped; Though after moving the install location, it asked for the CD, and once that was fixed... it gave me the same error. I'll have to e-mail support I suppose. Thanks for the help though.

After a few days speaking to someone from support through e-mail, I've fixed the problem. Turns out that lowering my resolution fixed the issue I was having. Right now my resolution's 1360 x 768, and before it was 1920 x 1080.

I know it's a double post, but I thought since it was the answer to the problem the OP was having, it kinda deserved it's own post. I'm not even sure if double posting is a rule or not.

Hello all,

after quite abit of testing, I finally managed to get RCT to work. If this doesn't work, make sure that you've set you the compatibilty of RCT-1 to Win 98/Me

1. Navigate to your RCT scenario's folder E.g (D:\Program Files\Hasbro Interactive\RollerCoaster Tycoon\Scenarios)
Or C:\Program Files\Infogrames Interactive\RollerCoaster Tycoon Deluxe\Scenarios
2. Right click any scenario and hit Open With...

3. Open with rct.exe

For some strange reason, this completely bypasses the Exception Error. Hope this help you guys after such a long time.
It works now excellent on my winXP version !

MAN I HAD TO SIGN IN HERE BECAUSE YOU SAVED MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES RESTORING THIS GREAT GAME, A LOT OF THANKS FROM ARGENTINA.

Facu10pro if u wanna visit to me some day!!!