everytime I try and run the game it just goes to a black screen and then crashes to desktop. I have tried everyone of the suggestions on the help page and nothing has worked

I have the exact problem. Windows 7 Professional, Nvidia 460 GTX, AMD 8-core 4.0GHz, 8 GB of RAM. Will not run in XP compatibility mode, nor in Administrative mode. Extremely disappointing.

So the game completes the install without errors, correct? This could be a bik issue, more people have been having that problem lately. Might try replacing the binkw.32.dll file with the one from Elder Scrolls Oblivion, or making sure there is no software, windows or bios settings that mess with cpu throttling.

Thanks for your suggestions. I have already tried the rename .bik files trick, but I have not tried replacing them. I get the message "Vampire.exe has stopped working" and then the screen re-sizes to desktop size, and then it quits.

I don't understand exactly what you mean by CPU throttling - I have an 8-core AMD CPU and that seems to have issues with older software (or vice versa) - I had a hell of a time getting TA and TA:Kingdoms to run, and I still can't get Sacrifice to run at all (even in Win XP compatibility). What would interfere with throttling?

The CPU throttling would be some form of energy saving software that is designed to save power by monitoring your CPU throttling and kicking it down a few pegs when it feels the CPU doesn't need to run as hard. For example, my Asus motherboard has a EPU setting in the AI software suite that comes with it. Many laptops have this type of software preloaded as well. If you have an UEFI bios, there is likely a CPU power setting that it offers to manage for you. It's one of the first things I disable. Your CPU is plenty powerful, it's just some older bik files conflict with this type of software, for whatever reason. It's almost 2am and I'm pooped, I hope that made sense :)

I also am having the same issue. I am going to try the things that worked for Diablo 1 and see if they work here.

Ok it worked. What you have to do is run in compatability for windows xp. At the same time you have to make your desktop background black, and reduce the resolution to non-hd levels. 1360x678 is the maximum I can have my desktop at. Last but not least you have to have the resolution window open while runningthe game. The same thing must be done for lords of magic. Dablo 1 and 2, and most of the might and magic games.