I know this may be the millionth time you've been advised to do this, Haggart, but you have updated all your drivers, (sound, g-card, Dx6.1...) and installed the v.7 patch I assume?
So many different PC configs... I run into (usually) mild bugs no one else ever experiences, (at least I never see them on the boards...) then other games that are El Bugville on other's systems run fine on mine... (Yes, I know, I'm telling you something you didn't know... NOT!)
Well, best of luck. I'd humbly advised you keep at this puppy (PE) until it does run - IT'S WORTH IT!!
Robert