I guess the game is simply broken then?

Damaged hard disk or cable. Check it!

2 day old hard disk on my PC... you think I have damaged disks on 4 different computers (3 of which are new) at the same time?

No, I meant that the hard disk where you keep your backup installation files is damaged. Also, a two day old disc can very well be broken. I simply think your installation file has become corrupt and you need a new one.

So, game works campain and scenarios until you enter the scenario designer and change things there, right?
Did you copy old files into the newly installed game?

Themken, I DID redownload a new install file, same result.

No, did not copy any files in, worked with the file that comes with the game only. And that's what I've been doing in so many installs I've lost count. None of my old files, or any of MY files for that matter in play.

I can do all kinds of things, just not set up a world level with an enemy site in 365-370, or change an existing file either.
Play is fine, Map in editor is fine, Triggers are fine... world level crashes without fail with above test.

I checked all my old scenario files (earlier) for anything on that particular positions, and I had none.
And yes, it occurred to me that there might be a 'hole' in that software, although it makes little sense.

Hmm... strange.

That 365-370 is a beginning date or a place at the map?

That's the x-y coordinates that one inputs to put a place on a map, or to move it (in world level)
Yes, it is... And I'm downloading yet another install file from gog as we speak. Downloading it to a brand new virgin drive on my PC, then putting it on a brand new usb stick... will install yet again on the XP with that...
I've done SO many installs on SO many computers, all with the same results.

Well, my guess is the fault of the creators, who could make an anchor for the program, so it could read the scenario.
Now the best bet would if someone who has the game, try this too.

Well, not the creators of CotN, as much as the copy that GOG sells!

I had 2 more users test this on their machines (they are on steam) and they had no problems.

Meanwhile I downloaded a brand new install file from Gog, put it on my brand new virgin c-drive, copied it to a brand new usb stick.
I had cleaned out the XP also. Installed this brand new copy of the game on the XP. Fine
Went into play Abu for some years, no problem
Went into Editor, made a copy of Aby, and another copy of that, and started testing again.
Started scooting Limestone, fine limestone, serabit, maghara and Genubath sideways, to 500, to 600, to 500 and so forth. Fine
Saving a new copy and exiting in between as I go along.
Entered a bunch of triggers, no problem.
Moved friendlies around again, no problem.
Did this for a while, mind you, I do this very slowly and carefully.
yet another copy.
Picked up the Nubian Main Column, made it visible (also took off the spawn), replace
Moved it to 300-300, replace, save, new copy
Scooted the friendlies back and forth, no problems.
Saved a new copy.
THEN, I moved Nubian Main (not made a fort, not renamed or anything) to 365-370
went to move a friendly... CRASH !

???????????? I go nuts !!!!!

Still haven't heard from Gog-support and don't suppose I will since it's weekend.

There just HAS to be something wrong with that game, the copy from GOG that is, no other explanation. I've made cleanups, new downloads, new installs and hundreds of tests on FOUR different machines, ALL with the exact same result.

How could I spend over 3 years playing this game, making at least 10 scenarios, without having a problem? Well, I must assume that it's because I never put a site on 365-370 or close to that, enemy or otherwise. I write my scenarios outside CotN first in a file, and then enter it to CotN. I have those files, and painstakingly checked each one of them.
What other conclusion can be drawn from this???

Definetely the main problem is the file with scenario. Can you open it by notepad and look for any line with these coordinates?

Meanwhile, I installed Steam, and then bought the game off them, installed etc.
For one thing I hated Steam, for another, it had absolutely no effect, same crashes.
So got rid of everything Steam again.
Conclusion: NOT a problem with the Gog-version of the game.

I heard from Gog support team (on a Sunday no less), they are trying to help me out.
Reason for CotN not running at all on my new setup was simply that DirectX 9.0c wasn't installed, only the higher versions.

So, now I have CotN back up and 'running', except the crashing problem in world level still persists.

PROBLEM Edit: NOT SOLVED
So, I've been scouring the internet for forums and posts about CotN, or any other game for that matter, with crashing issues. What I found was a post, that apparently it's a 'well known fact' that older games needs .NET Framework 3.5 to run properly.

So checked, and no, it's on my PC, but not enabled. I enabled it. Checked CotN, still crashed. Thought the poor thing probably didn't know I'd changed.
Uninstalled Cotn. Rebooted. Reinstalled Cotn. Started testing. Moved things in and out of the hot spot (365-370), nothing happened, moved other things around, renamed, added texts, moved in and out of hot spot, made an enemy fort etc etc. Nothing happened. Then the ultimate test: I picked up the file I had worked on and sent to another user for testing (worked fine there), installed it and the map I used for it. Opened in editor. Moved forts around like a mad person , and nothing, NOTHING happened. NO crashing.

I had it before obviously, and what must've happened is likely that my SSD was falling apart, and likely CotN could no longer find 3.5. Then the repair shop installed a new Windows 10, which comes with 4.7 already up and running, while 3.5 is available but NOT enabled by default.
I checked the other machines I tested on, and none of them had it either (they never had a game of any kind installed), hence the failed tests.

Begs the question: WHY is that not on top of the list of a so-called support team??? They are about to receive a very pointed email from me on that matter. They just gave up and offered me a refund, and suggested a list of other games I might like to play. Hardly!

That's the problem of Tilted Mill Entertainment, a studio that hasn't been heard from since 2013, not GOG.