Cannot get Arcanum to start

Ive done a total of 4 clean installs now, and each time when I started the game, nothing came up. No start page, no error, no nothing.

 

Hmmm... Sounds like somebody forgot to switch on the copy protection emulation.

 

I am using authentic cd's, just bought them a few days ago off ebay.

 

they are in semi okay condition. many scratches but none are deep

 

You know, I had the same problem some time ago. And I had to buy new CDs. Have you tried to wash the Cds? I've done so with a lot of my malfunctioning CDs, and they've worked afterwards.

 

Use toothpaste to clean the CD. It buffs out minor scratches, and cleans very thoroughly. After that, rinse the toothpaste off of the disk, dry it, and try it.
You need to make sure you're keeping the disk under a steady flow of water as you rub the toothpaste on the surface. If you leave the disk dry, you'll just scratch it.

 

Are any scratches on the label side of the disc? If so the disc is hosed even if it is a small scratch.