My computer harbored a virus for a year that I was to lazy to get rid off (1 for virus, 0 for anti-virus). It kept me from downloading from webpages. So anyways, I do what any sensible lazy person would by backing up my files and reinstalling Vista. However, my computer refused to install TWC and then, when I tried reinstalling it, AOE3. So I wiped my computer again and started all over agian. On a computer forum, I found a post that helped me solve my problem
1. Install the game on another computer. I used my dad's computer which already had it installed.
2. On the computer that you were able to install it on, go to:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games. Copy the Age Of Empires III folder and paste it into an external hard drive.
3. Connect the external hard drive to the computer that you wish to play on. Find the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games directory. If you do not have the directory, just create one. Paste the Age Of Empires III folder from the external hard drive, into the Microsoft Games folder.
4. Install DirectX 9.0
5. Now go back to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires III
6. Exit the game and insert Disc 1. Select Install. Hopefully since all of the files are already on your computer it will not get hung up on art3.bin or any other file for that matter.
7. After installation has completed, launch the game.
8.If there are textures are missing Go back to your external hard drive. Go into the Age Of Empires 3 folder and highlight all of the files. Copy them into the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age Of Empires 3 folder that is already on your computer. If it asks you if you want to overwrite any files, say "Yes to all"
Now you are free to play!
