I don't know if your WinXP came with DirectX 9.0, but mine came with 8.1 (i think. I KNOW it wasn't 9). Anyway, have you tried playing it without the 9.0 fix? If you haven't already, you best bet would be to go to the microsoft website and download the directx version 9. I run XP Home with directX 9 and play SFCIII with the 9.0 fix and the Scimitar add-on and no problems.