ok: "Keep getting error 7217 after install"

-that's a graphics related error. The game has failed to initialize Direct Draw surface for the main screen.

motherboard chipset: Intel 810 and 815 chips only allow 16 bit color 3D surfaces. so EAW won't work, it tries to create 3D in 8-bit color. -Need another MOBO.

Make sure you have the latest driver for your video card. NOTE- some of the very latest cards cause problems- Video cards utilizing series 6xxx chips and beyond from NVIDIA. Try drivers in the 6x.xx series?, the the 7x.xx series drivers are problematic? see full http://eaw.wikispaces.com/hardware+guide

Try reducing desktop size/resolution. Start | Settings | Control Panel | Display | Setting. Adjust Size to 640x480 or 800x600 and Color Palette to 256 color.

Try adjusting video card hardware acceleration to 'maximum'. Start | Setting | Control Panel | Display | Setting | Advanced Properties | Performance.

Run Direct X diagnostic utility, DXDIAG.EXE, in c:\Program Files\DirectX folder or subfolder.

The EAW Launchpad chaps will help you if they can! http://groups.msn.com/THEEAWLAUNCHPAD go to the 'Warroom') also
European Air War forum at SimHQ http://www.simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php

Program does not start. Show an error 162.