Well...Results are mixed.
Patched both games, just in case...
Same problem with BG1, but NOW, it WILL let me "Start" a new game, just not "Load" one. Sorry, but I just can't stay awake that long.
Any other Ideas?
As far as BG2 goes, thanks, BUT (there is always a but, right):
I must have the ToB disk in to begin the game (Start or Load). In the past, I just had to insert "Disk 2" and go (from the desktop). Just another "qwirk" to running the game. ANy ideas here? Does it matter that, right after you install, the game prompts you that it will play the "Demo Movie" (the NWN promo), but on MY machine, it didn't work.
So results are mixed, but slightly favorable. I'm almost to the point of wiping the HD and reloading XP, and the whole shooting match.

I didn't have these problems on my desktop, and this Notebook is a better (faster) platform.
Thanks Sojourner. If this gets your creativeness going, I'll listen.
BTW, I was confused with the link for fixing BG2.
This is from the site...
Q: I am getting a runtime error or the game is just crashing when loading a new area. (YES I AM !!)
A: This will happen most often when the area file has copied over incorrectly from the CD. You will want to do the following:
Right click on "My Computer"
Select "Properties"
Click on the "Performance" tab
Click on "File System"
Clcik on the "CD-ROM" tab
Under "Optimize access pattern for" select "No Read Ahead"
Click on "OK"
Click on "CLOSE"
The system will want to restart for these changes to take effect. Click "YES" to restart.
Delete all area files contained within the {games folder}\CACHE\Data folder.
Rerun the game
But I have XP, and this set of instructions doesn't fit what I see.
ANy Ideas here?
Thanks a bunch. At least I can continue my current game.
AC