If you have a new-ish version of WinZip installed u can right click on the .exe and select either open with winzip, or just a straight extract to folder. dead handy.
What nvidia card are u using anywayz??? ive got a Geforce 2 MX 400 and i aint had no probs with it so far, doing EXACTLY wot u sed u did!
All i can suggest is that its maybe a direct x 9 problem, have u tried reinstalling Directx???