I have a recurring problem with EB 1.2. The game just wouldn't start.

To be more precise, the process goes as follows.

1. I click on the EB 1.2 icon and nothing happens...
2. I can see rtw.exe running in my processes list in the task manager window. However, the program does not seem to do anything (at least on the screen).
3. I kill the process after a few minutes (RTW does not appear in the running programs window; so, the only way to get rid of it that I know is to kill the bugger in the processes list).
4. I repeat 1, 2, & 3...
5. I repeat 1, 2, & 3...
6. I repeat 1, 2, & 3...
....

at some point though, upon completing 1, the RTW red starting pic appears on the screen and everything follows as it should happen (starting the game).

Any ideas for what would be causing this or how it could be fixed. It's just annoying and time consuming.

By the way, my HD is regularly defragmented.