Every time I try to start it up, I get stuck on the black screen with the hourglass. After a few seconds, it goes back to my desktop. What is going on?!?!

Have you messed around with any of the files? and do you have the Gold Edition version?

Haven't touched the files, and yes I have Gold Edition

Did you install both discs? because the same happened to me when i only installed the first disc.

yep

hmm thats strange, try the latest pacthes, and reinstall

i have this same problem, though i dont have the gold version, i have the original, none of the files have been touched. iv tried reinstalling, using direct x8 and 9.