You should open up the aow2Log.txt file in your game directory and post it so the devs can have a look...

I recently posted a similar problem, Josh said to go into Aow2Setup.exe and disable Direct3D... should fix the crash probs.

In the aow2Log.txt I found something like this:
Operating System: Windows Millennium Edition (4.90.3000 )
DirectX Version: 8.1 (4.08.01.0881)
Desktop Resolution: 1024x768x16
Physical Memory: 0 / 253 MB
Virtual Memory: 1840 / 2044 MB
Winsock 2 Detected: YES

AoW2 Version: 1.10
Display Resolution: 1024x768x16
Display Mode: Full Screen
Pixel Format: 5-6-5
3D Renderer: Hardware
Display Driver: Intel(R) 82815 Graphics Controller (i81xDD.DLL)
Driver Version: 4.13.1.2746 (32902 / 4402)

Resloution Switching: On
Detail Level: Highest
Cursor Mode: Black & White
Sound: On
Music: On
DirectSound: On

Map: War of the Dale.ahm
Day: 8
Play Mode: Classic
Connection Type: Local
Players: 3
Human Players: 1
Seated Player: 1
Current Player: 1

Combat: Tactical
Location: 27,23,0
Players: 2
Current Player: 1

Application opened at: 21:12:35
Error during FX Update
Error during FX Update
Access violation at address 00473BDB in module 'AOW2.EXE'. Read of address FFFFFFFF
Application closed at: 21:27:38 (3 errors)

Can now one of the devs help here?

Seravajan

As someone said, I'd try turning off Direct3D in aow2setup, as this is likely a driver-related issue.

I've never used Intel graphics but I don't think they're very well known for great graphics cards. Most likely it's not completely Direct3D compatible.