I forgot to mention...
1. I have DX9 installed.
2. I also deleted the saved games and tried new ones.
3. I also had the WHOLE +/- 2.3Gb previous installation backed up to another "backup" computer on my lan, and copied the old saved games back (same version)... but they also didn't work.
4. After doing a fresh install, I even tried copying the whole "run" folder back after it gave problems.
Actually, if it finally "worked" I am thinking of not playing the game UNTIL there is an OFFICIAL patch to sort this out... how many of you spend days on this game, and then suddently have a problem and can't finish. Thankfully mine has only been at the start of the game.