Fixed the problem myself. Sorry for worrying you guys
I just forgot to compile the map files.
When I did using the batch file, it took 5 hours on my primitive Athlon 64x2 platform.
Afterwards, the game worked like gold.
Compliments to the designers and coders. Heaps better than the 2008 version!
Mea Culpa! I just started doing this stuff, so I have a steep learning curve to negotiate here.
cheers