Hi Bovi, thanks for the answer....here is my status:
- the -nm in the starting line helped with the flickering in the main menu & the factions overview menu, as I said

- Map.rwm did not help against CTD

- Tried the MS process tool, and it had the very strange habit -while running in the background- to shut down the hole system, instead of the regular CTD....so the system uploaded again and as soon as I opened my EB filter there were so many other processes that one could not find the reason for the CTD anymore

- then - came up with the idea to use the "Repair" option in the EB installer....no changes.....

- then I tried the Rome.exe and strange enough...Vanilla Rome was working....My question: may that be the reason why my EB CTDs all the time? Confusion? Maybe the install of EB did not change the rome.exe...but I checked the path it is the correct one?!?!?

- Another interesting thing: the regular "loading scrreens" which I always enjoy[ed] reading appear for 1 sec...than it is only loading bar & black background. On the other hand the EB starting screen with all the credits and that persits.

BTW: as I kinda gave up, I relaunched RTR Platinum & guess what: it crashed also as soon as I tried to start the campaign

I hope this helps...