The game instantly crashes after the intro video. I tried changing settings and compatibility modes, yet naught seems to help. DEP and UAC are both off, and i've tried to run as admin/close 3rd party programs, naught seems to help.
The errorcode is as follows
Problem Event Name: BEX
Application Name: AoWCompat.exe
Application Version: 0.0.0.0
Application Timestamp: 2a425e19
Fault Module Name: StackHash_0a9e
Fault Module Version: 0.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 00000000
Exception Offset: 002e4588
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Data: 00000008
OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 2057
Additional Information 1: 0a9e
Additional Information 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
Additional Information 3: 0a9e
Additional Information 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789

I have the same problem. Overlay? What is this?

Actually, you don't want to turn DEP -off-; You just want to set an exception for DEP, for this program
(which was also true of the original CD version of the game)

This is done by going to the 'System' control panel applet, then 'System Protection', and the tab for 'Advanced';
Select ''Performance', and the the DEB tab.

You want the second option; DEP ON, except for:
(and then add the AoW executable, to the list).