So you had to set compatibility mode for Secret Ops to run, correct?
Make sure you've also done that for standoff.exe (find that file in your SO folder, right click it, click properties, go to the compatibility tab, check the "run this program in compatibility mode" box and select Win 95 or Win 98 from the list).
Other than that, try choosing 16-bit instead of 32-bit in the launcher, depending on your video card that might help.