The game locks up after a few minutes. Sometimes less than five minutes, and sometimes I can play for ten or so. I can alt+tab out of the freeze and then end the program in task manager, but sometimes it freezes up that I can't even alt+tab and have to restart.
Anyone having a similar problem? I'm using XP

Have you tried changing the graphic settings with the configuration tool ?
You can find the tool in the game start menu folder.
Try changing to direct 3d hal.

I am having same problem I am using Windows 7 though have to hit windows button to get mouse back to restart
Did I load wrong or does it not work with 7

Changing to HAL doesn't fix it. The game froze up even faster than usual.