I double click on the shortcut or on the .exe and nothing happens, at all. I tried running it from the task manager and there are no new processes created when I do it either.
Windows XP Pro, SP3. McAfee security suite, but the firewall is off.
I get no errors, nothing starts, there is no reaction. I have no problem playing other games or running other programs.
1.73 ghz dual core processor
2gigs of ram
intel 945 chipset.

still no fixes. :(

Probably a stupid question, but have you tried temporarily disabling your McAfee product?
And if that fails, how about trying the various "compatibility mode" settings on the .exe?

I tried disabling McAfee, and tried compatibility modes, still nothing. No errors, no popups, it's like I didn't click anything at all.
I am able to get the game running on my vista machine, but I'd prefer to have it working on my laptop, because that's where I do the majority of my gaming... I only crack open the desktop usually for newer titles and video editing.

Had a quick look at secondsight.exe in Ollydbg, and found out that it reponds to a "-log" command line parameter, so you might want to try that.
This creates a "second_sight_pc.log" in the gamedir. For me it's empty, but who knows - it might not be on your problematic PC?
If that fails, why not try a *cough* "unofficial" version of the .EXE instead, just for the hell of it?

it too is blank, I suppose I might hunt for one of those.

Hmmm... It seems that people have been having problems with the "unofficial" .exe as well, with no solution readily available. Same symptoms as you.
Do you happen to have any wierd and/or wonderful video codec packs installed? (clutching at straws here, I know - but am running out of ideas ;-))

not that my desktop, which runs the game fine, doesn't already have.

just got a letter from support

Thanks man, even if I did not really deserve it. :)

you worked hard to help me out. and if someone else buys the game, and has this issue, it will point to your repost of my solution as the answer.

i just switched to a macbook running windows xp via bootcamp
it is a terrible shame, but it too cannot play this game.
my understanding is if you are using an intel 945 to 965 chipset, you will not be able to play this game.

funny, I'm able to play max payne though, which also requires T&L support. Hmm..