Please help, cannot get game to run!

[whyisciv4sobugg]

I get music in the background but no graphic other than a blue screen when starting the game. Then I get the CIV 4 logo and world graphic, but no menu options. Clicking on the middle of the screen causes the game to initialize again, and again, and again each time I click it.
Can I fix this or do I have to return the game for an exchange of another copy? I don't want any complicated fixes, its not my job to do that, it is Firaxis' job, but if it is something fairly simple let me know how please!

 

[Moepheus]

whats your system spec?

 

[macivilization]

It actually comes up with a blue screen and right after the voice kicks in "ok..." the system crashes until I click on the screen. Then it goes to the menu screen with no menu and loops the music.

Details
LG LS50a laptop
1.8Ghz Pentium
1GB of RAM
Windows XP 2002 with Service Pack 2
ATI Motility Radeon 9600/9700 Series

 

[whyisciv4sobugg]

I got mine to work just by installing the 1.09 patch. I hope this works for you too, let us know.