I got it to work on XP 64bit! .... I removed all game files through steam, deleted all game and 1C folders, and went through the registry and cleaned out all referenced keys by hand, then I DL'ed a pirated torrent version, installed and it works like a charm .. so the copy I paid $50 bucks for through steam won't work anymore, but the cracked one I torrented down does!?!?! ... (I choose NOT to install anything out of the redist folder ... the Steam method forces it.)

Yes, 64bit XP ... runs fine now ... I figured I wasn't gonna get much help, and I REALLY love this title, so I had to do what I had to do ..... I blasted 111s and 109s all night last night!