I haven't played a stock game in a while, but recently when I tried I get an error window after hitting "begin game". It lists :
AI Settings Errors: c:\program files\shrapnel games\malfador machinations\space empires iv
- Could not find field "Ships don't move through minefields" in record "settings"
- Could not find field "Ships don't move through restricted systems" in record "settings"
- Could not find field "Clear orders on encounter enemy" in record "settings"
... there are several others similar (10 total bullets)
The game then loads and appears to work, but I didn't play more than a couple of turns.
What did I do wrong and how do I fix it? 
Slick