Sim2 loading problems

we have installed sims 2 on the computer using the recommended installation. When we click on the icon on the desktop the first screen appears . We press play and the the screen goes black and we cannot exit without turning the computer off. We have downloaded the latest direct x , turned off anti virus and still no luck

Windows XP
game Sims 2 and pets expansion pack DVD
BIOS: Award Medallion BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 387MB used, 2071MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
Graphics
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6200SE TurboCache(TM)
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 6200SE TurboCache(TM)
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (16 bit) (60Hz)

Turned off antivirus and closed applications as well as some process - same result. Loaded on my laptop - no problems it works but why not on my desktop. Need help. Thanks
Hope this helps.