The reason I am typing the run command, is that double clicking on any of the application files does absolutely nothing. This is why I am stumped as to what is wrong - as said above, if there was an error message or breakdown part way through i could understand it. I don't believe that there is a problem with the disc (though I could be wrong), that is why I think it is related to XP - though that might just be temptation to blame the empire of Microsoft.
I take it from the replies I have had that other people can get this to work on XP - is your version an original, that is, does it make reference to win 3.1 or is it newer ?
I copied the game fine to my hard drive, but the setup file wouldn't run from there either - I am finding it a bit mysterious and certainly outside my skillset to resolve !! :x ;( :x