[ametamorphosis]

i do not notice a difference in speed when turning the sound off.
unfortunately, i don't have another graphics card to try (certainly wish i did, my card is circa 1997).
I have just been using the windowed mode with my desktop set near the resolution of the game window, and that is working OK for me.

ah, the sacrifices I have to endure....
anyways, i'll just use the windowed mode until i get my new machine

thanks for trying to help