I've just logged on to the forums and the game giveaway - too late to put in a comment for the giveaway as it has closed. I can remember way back when I first downloaded and installed this game and had exactly the same problem that you have got - the black screen. I can also remember someone in one of the first Egyptoid downloads suggested that we go into options and under Graphics, change the third item down to 'No Light'. This made all the difference and I could then play the game, which I love. I'm surprised that no-one else has found this and I haven't bothered to look through the 2 earlier game giveaways' comments to make sure of my facts just in case you have given up and deleted it already. Which would be a real shame, I played both these games to death! I really loved them both. I hope this helps you and that you haven't already deleted it.
Edit - Have just looked through the Feb 2007 Egyptoid giveaway comments. Apparently there are 3 options - Normal Light, Advanced Light and No Light. Choose the 'No Light' option.