If your copy of X-COM is the "Gold" edition, then I recall that those weren't actually DOS programs - they're Windows ports, albeit very shoddy and unstable ones.

You need to reduce hardware acceleration for video or you can find the Xcom patch that fixes this problem. I don't have a link handy at the moment to the patch.

You should follow DosFreak's advice, and get the patch here.

Honestly, the DOS version (CD-ROM to be precise) of X-COM would cause you far less trouble (i've tried both myself), but the final call it's up to you...

Hope it helps.

I downloaded the patch and put it in the directory like it says but when I go to execute it, it says "Could not load patch.dll"

Any clue what this might be?

Um did you download the patch.dll and put it in the same directory?

There is no patch.dll available for download from xcomufo.com

What about this patch.dll download link on that site?

Ooooh, I see it now, It's linked to in the faq but not from the downloads page (where I was looking for it)

Found it, put it in folder.

"Patch code timed out"

😐 Comeon

EDIT-

Used the "Xcom Tftd" Fixed .exe file.
http://www.xcomufo.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4425