Okay, it seems that uninstalling and reinstalling the game has done nothing to stop the crash problem, which of late has been getting worse. I am therefore suspending play until such time as I can figure out what is causing the problem and how to fix it, but to be honest I'm just about out of ideas. I'll do what I can but at this point what I really need, aside from a full reformat, is a computer wizard in the West Hartford area who knows the game and has the time to deal with this. I don't care what it costs. You know one, put me in contact with him. This has to stop while I still have a few shreds of sanity left.
Anyone suggesting that I take my system to Best Buy will have their post deleted. I'm not kidding.