I've ran into this when trying to start The Breakout on Windows 7 - the game just never starts. It appears that the game has an issue with file permissions. The easiest way around it is to run it as Administrator but the more elegant way is to go to the game folder and check security options on file ednaPreferen.ces -- "write" has to be enabled for "users."

Thank you for posting this. I tried everything to try and get the game to run but had no idea about this fix.

Is it possible that this is also a problem on Vista? Because I'm having the same problem, but running as administrator does not work. When I get home I will try your fix. I had assumed that there was a corrupted installation, but maybe not.

I'm using windows 7 64 bit and didn't have to run as Administrator. (Side note: I didn't install this to program files.) Also this game made me install Java, and refused to work without it. I hope this info is helpful.

I tried the fixes both run as admin and changing preferences, and the game still doesn't start. I changed preferences by adding a line for "write" because the original file did not have one. I did not download java with this game, but do have an older version of it on my PC already. I guess I'll just try re-downloading after I finish Harvey's New Eyes. It still could be an installation flaw. When I start it up as administrator, I do get an option screen (subtitles, etc.) but when I hit continue - nothing happens and the option screen disappears. Just... nothing - back to desktop.

That's what happened to me when I didn't install Java. This also needs Microsoft .NET Framework and should prompt an install, and if you already have it it will ask to repair it. I canceled that because I already had it, and just installed Java. A reinstall sounds like a good idea.

Aha! It must be the java. Thanks, this has been bothering me!

Okay. So, I didn't need to reinstall the whole thing. I just reinstalled Java (the latest version) and it now works!

Thanks all!

Im having the same problems with the breakout game. New eyes works just fine. I am uninstalling and re-installing under different file name. My comp is completely up to-date. I hope it works.