Time for a new graphics card?

[b_eagle8]

So sort of recently, I installed AL and started it up. So far so good. As soon as I loaded a neighborhood up I was greeted with something like this:

What the hell?!

I was kind of shocked because I have never experienced this in all my time of simming. So I exited the game, installed new drivers thinking that would help some and then, this happened:

It got so bad after a while, that I wasn't even able to exit the game.
Are those white squares birds?!!

Mind you, this doesn't happen on another windows account when I load the game. I really want to fix this problem ASAP so I can get back to playing my families.
I currently using a Radeon 9250.

Extra Pics:

[caffeinated.joy]

I see what looks like some red flashing lots, which is usually a graphic card issue. If updating your graphic card settings hasn't helped, and you've had that card for a while, it might be time for you to consider an upgrade.

[b_eagle8]

Yeah, I had a feeling. Any suggestions?

[caffeinated.joy]

Well that would entirely depend on what your motherboard is able to take.

[megativity13]

Here's a bit of a silly question- when you installed the new drivers for your
video card, did you uninstall the old drivers?

[PPR]

According to the web site, your card should be compatable.  The thing that may be getting you into trouble is the Direct X.  Apartment life requires 9.0c  the radeon 9250 is Direct X 8.1.

[caffeinated.joy]

The card is compatible, yes, but if it's old and no longer working up to par, those graphic glitches can happen. I had one of those cards for four years before it just crapped out. It can happen.

[PPR]

It certainly doesn't hurt to upgrade anyway--especially now.  Computer stuff is getting so cheap.
You can get get a Direct X 10 capable card with 512mb of ram for about $100, depending on your slot
 (although from what I've read it won't improve the graphics on the Sims 2 over 9.0C because the game was not designed to exploit the new capabilities--but other games do).

[caffeinated.joy]

Keep in mind too, Direct X 10 only works if you have Vista.

[b_eagle8]

Ok, sorry if it seems like I disappeared.
Yes, I uninstalled the old drivers.
Yes, I am aware that my graphics card should be compatible, but as Joy [is it ok if i call you that?] said these graphic cards can just up and die on you if it's old. I have had mine for quite some time.
Lastly, my Direct X is fully up to date. I just can't upgrade to Direct X 10 because I don't have Vista.
Alas, I have solved my problem by buying a new graphics card which works perfectly for Sims 2 and every other game on this computer.
Thanks for your help.

[caffeinated.joy]

Glad you got it fixed, and yes, go ahead and call me Joy. It is my name