hi Hubba
ok.. im not sure if my suggestions are very encouraging..
1st of all, sometimes these "newer" games have copy protection which need the very latest cd drive emulation software which can emulate the copy protection on the CD. For ex, i think HL2 and NWN xps wont work unless you have the very latest Alcohol version which can emulate the very latest securom version. And even then it is a bit touch and go.
Now, with my copy of sacred - they do work. But then I cut mine to cd before installing. And i suspect i may have cut it using Alcohol with particular settings.....
and now for what may be the worst bit - it is just my opinion. I tried playing sacred. Nice game! Nice combat graphics nice spells.. not a bad adventure storyline in all.. but, well the animation got to me afte ra while. I gave up on it :/ I have forgotten, but something made me realise this game was not as good as d2 or nwn or was just too clony.
However, I think it is worhtwhile just to play the vampire and seraphim character cos i loved changing into a vamp! and being angelic!