Ok, so I understand that d3d isn't working. But since getting steam (and with it the newest updates) I can no longer play in open gl either.
So my only option is to play in software rendering, and that aint fun...

specs:
Win xp pro.
amp 2400+
abit motherboard.
Albatron ti4200 turbo with 8x agp.
newest nvidiadrivers. (tried to uninstall the previous, but that, as we all know, isnt very easy )
512mb ram
direct x 9 seems to work fine, and open gl seems to work, although I dont know how to test that. If you know, I would be happy to have that information =)

so... is there any hope?...

Try asking in general forum, more people will be able to help you.

I think the correct forum to ask in is the "General PC help" forum.

Aha, ok, trying to post in general pc help. if I can find it =)