Problem running sims 2 on Windows Vista Ultimate

I've installed the original sims 2 from the cd onto my macbook pro running Parallels with Windows Vista Ultimate. Every time i try running the game, an error message comes up saying that the computer failed to find any direct x 9.0c compatible graphics adapters in the system. I've update the computer with the direct x 9.0c, so i am not sure why it is not running. The graphics card is an ATI Radeon x1600 which I hear is more than sufficient for playing games.

I added an attachment of the error message below.



Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you

Try updating the graphic card drivers as well and uninstalling and reinstalling Direct X 9.0C again.

The answer is (drumroll, please), you need to ensure you have the latest drivers installed AND change the hardware accleration to full on your computer.

1. Right click on your desktop
2. Select Properties
3. Select Settings
4. Select Advanced
5. Click on the Troubleshooting tab
6. Drag the Hardware Accleration dial to full
7. Click ok.
8. Click ok
9. Launch Sims 2 and it should work.

just tried that. It showed that the hardware acceleration dial is at full. I guess playing it in parallels doesn't work.