I am sure you have tried this as you have been working on this problem for awhile - so I apologize in advance if this is redundant information.
First things to check:
1. You have updated drivers for your video card
2. You have updated directx to version 9.0
Then:
1. If running Windows 98 go into msconfig - if higher version of windows then use the appropriate startup editor. Disable all programs from starting up except sys.tray. Restart your system. Try to run the game.
99% of problems running software are the result of driver compatibility issues or conflicts between software running on your system and the game - it sounds like the .exe file for TOEE is conflicting with some other piece of software running on your system. Disabling all startup programs may allow you to run the game until you can pinpoint what the conflict is.
Again - you have probably already tried all of these things - sorry if this is too basic.
