On some computers when trying to run the program the error "Failed to start because the application configuration was incorrect" is displayed. The only thing I can think of is that the computers that it does not run on are using WinXP SP1 and not SP2. Could this be what is causing the error? I'm using MSVC++ 2005 Express Edition if that makes any difference.

Don't you just love window's cryptic errors?

A bit more info would probably help someone narrow down you problem. But maybe this will give you a start:

It could be looking for a mismatched version of any runtime .dll or a missing .dll
Usually a different message is displayed will dll problems, but i've had this show up once or twice.

It could be that the computers have different version of the .NET runtimes ( if your program uses them ).

Or it could be a host of other things. One thing to try would be to find someone with VS2005, and have them run the program. It could be an issue caused only by the other computer missing a file that VS2005 installed.
If that is the case, run VS' "dependency walker" tool to find what files you need to distribute.

I tried following the help at http://blogs.msdn.com/nikolad/archive/2005/03/18/398720.aspx, but some people are still getting errors, and this time it is some one with SP2. Look here.

I've been dealing with the same problem for some time now. It is supposed to be solved if you distribute this files:

MSVCR80.DLL
MSVCP80.DLL
MICROSOFT.VC80.CRT.MANIFEST

Those files are copied from "WinSxs/Manifests" "WinSxs/x86_Microsoft.VC80.ATL_..." directories. But it doesn't always work. I downloaded your game and saw that you do distribute those files. I run it and it worked, but only because I too have VS2005 installed, and so it finds the necessary files in my "Windows/WinSxS" directory, it doesn't even use yours.

So I tried to "emulate" a computer that it doesn't have VS2005. I rename some directories in WinSxS so it can't find the files. I run your game again and I get the configuration error. I notice that your triplet of files(the 2 dlls and 1 manifest) seems to have different sizes by the files that are installed in my system(in WinSxS). So I copy these files, which have the exact same names in your directory, substituting your own files. And it worked! The exact same thing has happened to me. The files that I distribute sometimes work in other's people computers and sometimes don't.

I really don't know what the hell is going on. I'm searching the net like crazy but haven't found anything besides those blogs, and many people are having the same problems. I don't understand, why Microsoft hasn't come out and give a definite answer on this for all? I just have resorted for the time being to statically link(/MT) to the runtimes, but that's not a solution.