XP issue with savegames

[Skulky]

I didn't want to start a topic just for my problem but i really need a solution. This is worse than PBW being down cause im the only one (so far that i know of) that this affects. so here goes:
I have recently upgraded to XP and i tried installing SE4 and playing it as usual however it became very difficult as any new games i started would be all black until i minimized and reopend (redrew in escence) the screen.
And any old savegames i tried to open woudl not with the following error... 'unable to open [path]'

I am in dire need of a solution as PBW is going on wihtout me.

Thanks