i dont have SIM2 but this could fix ur directx proplem.
i havent read every1s tried solutions to the problem but here is my solution to this problem: on my computer i had directx9b, but i needed directx9c for a game to work, so i went to microsoft.com and tried to install update too directx, even though i have done this before so in theory i should already have directx9c, anyway the directx9c update from microsoft tried to install and said it was uptodate. Rebooted and went to dxdiag, still said directx9b ((( so my theory is that directx9c is installed, so what i did next was go into regedit: click > Start > Run (Type: regedit.
goto : Hkey_local_machine/software/Microsoft/directx.
in this folder u will see a key called : Version 4.09.00.0902
what u need too do, is what i did and change this version to: 4.09.00.0904
keep in mind this will only work for this particle problem
and of course u will need a directx9c graphics card as ive seed some people dont have or dont know what card they have got.
and i take no responsibly if this messies up ur computer( make sure to backup first) but i have done this and had no problem.
U MUST REBOOT FOR THE CHANGES TO TAKE PLACE
next time u go in dxdiag it should say directx9c.
AMD Athlon xp2500
Msi KT400Ultra
WIN XP SP2
1GB RAM
Radeon 9800np
120GB western Drive
