Hey Pestalence, with a fresh install of XP, and using the Win 2000 compatibility mode, SFC1 seems to run... well, halfway decently. By this, I mean, there is still the jerky slowdown when theres some weapons fire (especially Klingon disruptors), but somehow playably better! So thanks on this one!
Now, I've encountered another issue, and it really isn't SFC1 related though it affects it, as I believe it is more in XP instead, and it's this:
I tried to set up the old Chris Jones/Lansing/Firehawk AGT system for switching between SFC1 eras. This system uses batch files to move all the relevant game files from one directory to another, thereby setting up different versions of the game based on different sfbspc13.txt files and the relevant sets of models for each era.
And this is the exact problem: the batch files don't run!
I run them in the command prompt mode and it tells me after each step of the batch file execution that the files aren't found! I even added a specific path command in the heretofore empty autoexec.bat file in C:\, just like in the old, old days, and still no go.
If you or anyone is knowledgeable about how XP and batch files work, please let me know. I do appreciate everyone's kindness and know-how.
If this is finally undoable, I guess I'll have to switch eras less often, as I'll have to do it all manually!! (Ugh!)