I have had several similar issues. Good game, been buffing myself up for weeks to get it to work, then ...
I don't know what else might be wrong.
MAybe I suggest you change your HD. Maybe that is the problem. Or try reinstalling Windows, maybe some invisible file will reapear and all will be fine (happened to me once. Game would work, didn't have the time to get it changed for another game. Game was forgetten, and when I was searching for somehing to play, BANG!!! found the game, installed it and it worked fine
It might just have been a miracle of sorts!).
The frezzer thingy sounds strange and cold, but if I'll ever have a dying HD (I'm sure one of my HD's is on the death bed), I'll use your techique!