Certain USB devices (wireless headphones are common) can stop Links 2003 and Links 2001 from launching. This problem can occur on any operating system after Windows XP.
An indication USBs are possibly the cause is if you see the Links logo on startup, followed by a black screen for a very short period before the game crashes.
If Links launches all the way to the main menu and you have game problems after this, USB devices are likely not the cause of your particular problem.
If Links 2003 or 2001 does not launch, try physically removing USB devices from their USB ports until you find the problem device.
Any USB transmitters/receivers must be physically removed from the computer USB ports.
The USB issue can affect many other games that were released around the 2000-2005 period.
The same will happen with those games as does with Links, they will not launch and will just crash on launch.
