Hello everyone,
My specs (such as they are):
Inspiron 6400
945GM Chipset
DirectX 9.0c installed
The game will run through the intro, then before the menu loads a floating box appears, saying "Unable to create DirectX Object". If I minimise to Desktop and enlarge again, the menu is present but I am unable to move the mouse.
I seemed to have the required specs. Any solutions?

The 945GM chipset MIGHT be the issue.
OTOH, have you tried updating your video card drivers?

I have already updated to v.6.14.10.4446 of the Chipset driver, which seems to be the latest driver. I will try updating DirectX.
I understand that some things won't run on these kinds of laptops, so it would be nice of GOG to include a warning to that effect for games with such issues before people buy and download them.

Thank you for your advice and support.
I think there are two issues:
1. T&L
2. ffdshow
Thus, there are four possible combinations.
I used T&L and with ffdshow and it did not crash immediately, but it did crash when entering the prison.
I used the exe without T&L and without ffdshow and it has not crashed so far. Now I just have to work out how to play the game... :S

Okay, so I'll put this as solved, with respect to my system configuration anyway, with the following recommendation to others:
Update display drivers and DirectX.
Do not use T&L and disable ffdshow.
Thank you for your help!