Thanks GreyFuss! 

Just to clarify things: the "patch" and the "no swap disks instructions" work boths for XP and Win 7 (tested myself). And the "patch" (a modify dll in fact) IS necessary to play either on XP or Win 7 properly. No need of Virtual Environment any more!

Thanks for clarifying.  Will give it a try.  Will post when and if I get it to work.

Sharon      

Edit: Thanks to UruBoo and TinCup2 and Greyfuss.

Win7 and DSOM?

To my surprise I was actually able to install it. Low and behold when I used the patch the mysterious text re-appears. How nice. I was even able to open the options menu tab and make a save right after the long intro. I was on a high, well, that is until I opened the VDA which seems to cause the cursor to freeze ending the fun. When I back out I see there is a message box which read:

A Video Reality TM Production is not responding. Windows is checking for a solution to the problem...

(truly an oxymoron if I ever heard one)

I don't know if it is applicable but there was mention of a specific patch to alter video acceleration but that link seems to have been removed. I'm not inclined to fiddle with Catalyst Control Center unless I know exactly what I need to do.

I know some people might not put it into sci fi, but Syberia I and II has many sci-fi elements to it (automatons, etc). 

Definitely should check it out if you never played them, some of best adventure game sout there.

I loved everything about Syberia 1 & 2. Perfect story and perfect puzzles.  I can't remember one single "awww come on!" moment in either game. I also love games that take place in a snow environment. However, I do not consider that game a sci fi game, like the ones mentioned in my original post.