So when I adjust sound & music etc in the options menu the game does not remember and reverts to default settings every time I load it.....so I have to reset the volume options every time I play!!

Also the game speed resets to default...which is way too fast.

Is this a known issue?
Is there a way to have the game remember the options settings?

Also can I disable the intro movies?

PS I am playing Back to War

Try installing it NOT in %:\Program Files%, maybe that will solve the save issue.

As for the intro videos, have you tried deleting/renaming them?

Rather not have to re-install...see if anyone else knows why this is happening.

Tried renaming & deleting intro vids and game doesnt launch?

Playing back to war and settings don't save as well. And I suspect the screen resolution settings don't work either as I set it to my monitors native resolution (1920x1080) and the game didn't change and still looks all wide. Setting the resolution to anything does not change the game at all.

Resolution settings don't affect the menu, they only affect the gameplay.

It still doesn't remember if I choose "Slow Mode". In the main menu options my selection stays on slow mode but everytime I start a new game the game is on "Fast Mode", so that I have to go in the options and switch it to "Slow Mode". :S

Problem solved! You have to have both speed sliders (scrolling & game) just below the max value. The same with sound volume. Settings will be saved. You probably have to set compatibility with XP SP3 too.

Btw, have you noticed slow/fast mode isn't just a visual preference? Indians are undefeatable on fast on max difficulty and run past your defence when routing, while on slow they die before that and spam less overall.
In Cossacks: European Wars cannons damage much lower on slow mode (200-500 vs 2000). Trajectory of cannon balls is tricky on fast. For example, on slow mode my frigates could hit far, while on fast mode projectiles are exploding on the beach.