After trying out several things I got Age Of Empires II (Age Of Kings) to install on one of my Windows 7 Systems (Windows 7 Professional, HP Pavillion dm4-1164tx laptop, core i5-450M, 8GB RAM, built-in Intel graphics [HD 2500 ?]).
I could get it to run initially by setting compatibility mode to XP3. No other boxes checked on that tab (I have found that so far, checking res box 640x480 or disable themes box makes any difference).
With compatibility mode set to XP3, the game opens as far as single player>random map setup screen but when I start playing, some screen menus are not completed (those at the bottom of the screen; those at the top are ok). The colours do not seem to affected (except once, on the "play" screen menus). I can also see the "minimap" (at the bottom R of the screen). This shows me why the main screen is blacked out - it simply showing the unexplored area where the minimap cursor is - this cursor inexorably drifts to top of the minimap (the minimap is in the shape of diamond with points at N, E, S, and W: the cursor drifts to the north point.) [I'd post a screen shot of the "play" screen if I could]
There (anywhere in fact) the mouse is unable to move the cursor on the main screen: rather the cursor can be controlled as expected, but it does not move around the map). Clicking on the next villager near the minimap momentarily returns the cursors (the on-screen and minimap) to my village but it instantly starts drifting away ending up at the north point.
So the issue is now why is the "play" screen not working ? why does the cursor drift away from wehere it is placed ? why aren't the bottom menus/information screens complete ? How do I fix it ?
Dumb_Question
5.September.2019