Continues to get the DirectX 9.0c error message

So frustrated at this point. I decided to only get sims 2 because I have never played it and something told me not to spend the 45 for both and I'm glad i did because if I didn't, I would be out 45 dollars. This does not work and this is beyond disappointing at this point. Why release a game if it isn't going to work AT ALL!