[.44 Magdalene]

So... Civilization IV and Windows Vista.

I can't run the demo. Like, can't. At all. Period. It gets to 'Loading XML' and then has an inexplicable error and crashes. It even gives me a precursor "This will probably not run on Vista" message before I even begin to try and play it. I've tried running on Compatibility Mode and as an administrator, and no go.

But here's the thing. Every compatibility / requirement website I've checked says I'm good. I meet every requirement for the game, some of them with flying colors and great gusto. I've read elsewhere that certain patches required to run the game on Vista--patches that automatically download--just don't work with the demo, so some folks can run the actual game but not the demo.

Should I risk buying it? Has anyone else experienced this? And don't tell me to install XP because no.