what causes this problem? do i need to change my resolution or something?
when i run the game the begiinning does okay, shows the little preview movie just fine, and when you get to what i assume is the start menu it looks like this. the single picture all by itself is the cursor, well it moves when i move my mouse so i assume its the cursor, and the other blurry images are some kind of buttons but i can’t tellwhat. and it gets worse when you click on one of them and the screen changes. any ideas?
I suggest you check if you have a supported video card for this game.
If you do, check if there are driver updates for it.
Also be sure it is properly identified in the game setup.
I’m not sure about this game, but some of the need for speeds had a 3d (software) fix for unsupported cards that was crap, and I really mean CRAP.
I tried to use it on a P4 2ghz a few years ago (very fast computer back then), and it fell on its face trying to display.
This game is a couple years old (as I recall) so shouldn’t require as much hardware to run as current version.
lastly, if this doesn’t help, visit the EA forum and have a read, most probems have been addressed already.
Suspect
I suggest you check if you have a supported video card for this game.
If you do, check if there are driver updates for it.
Also be sure it is properly identified in the game setup.
I’m not sure about this game, but some of the need for speeds had a 3d (software) fix for unsupported cards that was crap, and I really mean CRAP.
I tried to use it on a P4 2ghz a few years ago (very fast computer back then), and it fell on its face trying to display.
This game is a couple years old (as I recall) so shouldn’t require as much hardware to run as current version.
lastly, if this doesn’t help, visit the EA forum and have a read, most probems have been addressed already.
Suspect
probably just my computer. not much on it and is a few years old 
. thanks for you help. will reply if i get it to work.
I have every version of need for speed, all are very good, to excellant.
The early versions are even good (in my opinion), but might be hard to find.
Orignal game Need for Speed (runs only on windows 9x)
Need for speed 2 (runs on any windows, even on a good 486)
Need for speed 3 hot persuit (loads of fun, prob needs min Pentium two)
Need for speed Porche unleashed (kinda blah, didn’t play much)
Need for speed High Stakes (didn’t play much)
Need for speed Hot Persuit 2 VERY nice
Need for speed Underground Great
Need for speed Most wanted Awesome
check EA website for system requirements
thanks for the info, very useful