I had installed the game and right at the end a message appeared stating my video card does not have Vertex Shaders 1.0 support. My machine stats: Vista, Processor: Intel (R) Core (TM)2 quad CPU--Q6600@ 2.40 GHZ, 2.40 GHZ.
Local drive: 9.99 GB, RAM is 2.00 GB, 32 bit op system. Can someone tell me what this "non-support" is all about and perhaps point me in the right direction? Thank you.

Oops! You forgot to post your video card. That is what the error message is referring to.

I've played the demo without any 'hiccups' so I don't understand why this is happening. Where do I find the info about my video card? Thank you. Puzzler

DXDiag will report it -

Click Start, Run (Or, press the Windows Logo Key+R) enter DXDIAG and press OK - post back the results on the Display Tab (Device, Drivers and DirectX sections).

Inland, found the info as you directed. Where is the display tab "device, drivers, etc.? Sorry for being so dense. Puzzler

Check ***this screenshot***
Click the 3rd tab from the left to get that info.

Thank you everyone for the help. Here is the additional information.

Direct X: version 11
**Intel (R) G33/G3 express chipset family
Dac Type: Internal chip Intel GMA 3100
Main Driver: DD1 version 9 EX
System Mfg.: Dell

The ** item I believe is the video card. So, why did the game work when I played the demo and not now after installing the game? Does this mean I need a new video card and will a new video card be good for all games? Thanks for the help. Puzzler

The GMA 3100 series lacks certain Hardware Acceleration features - the demo may not have required them.

Only Dreamcatcher can answer that one.

Thank you Inland. I'll try but don't have hopes for a resolution. Puzzler

If this is a desktop (not a laptop) and you're planning to play a lot of games on the computer, you should get a mid-range ATI or Geforce video card. Don't get a low-end bargain model because they lack features. Depending on the Wattage of your computer's power supply, you may need a new power supply to support a more demanding video card.

Hi Jenny,
I am playing on a desktop and the video card which is listed came with the machine when I purchased the machine about 2-3 years ago. How much is this card as I am on a fixed income. The power supply is directly from a wall socket if that is what you mean. Thank you, Puzzler

Puzzler, why don't you post your computer's model number. That way we can look up your power supply wattage and see if you need to upgrade it to put in a new video card. It's a squarish box inside your computer with a socket that lets you plug your computer in to the wall socket.

There are a lot of video cards out there that might work for you for less than $50. I don't know that much about them, but I know Jenny or Inland could help you with one.

Model number: Inspiron 530

Thank you Draclvr

The specs say you have a 300 watt power supply and a PCI-E expansion slot. That means your power supply isn't much, but could be worse and you do have a slot on the motherboard for a new video card that would be an improvement over your current graphics which are integrated into the motherboard.

Nearly all of the cards I could find require a minimum of a 350 watt power supply, but there were a few that said 300 watts was sufficient. But I don't know enough about them to know whether they would be enough for you to be able to run the newer games or not. The graphics on this computer were just not meant for newer games.

Hopefully Jenny or Inland will have some suggestions for you.

Mast of the Inspirion 530's shipped with 250 watt power supplies (which aren't adequate for newer graphics cards).

You can enter your service tag number into Dell's support site, and you should be able to view your configuration.

Dell Support

I found this, Inland... Dell Inspiron 530

Still doesn't look too promising for gaming.

That's what I was looking or (and couldn't locate) - thanks Draclvr.

I agree, a larger power supply would help. There are low profile 7300's that will run off 300 watt PSU's but it may be a step backwards performance wise.

Edit -

Here are a couple of examples of what to look for (without a PSU upgrade) -

GeForce 7200GS (250 watt Requirement)

GeForce 7300LE (300 watt Requirement)

There's always a bit of room in the published requirements, but in general it's best to keep the card in the appropriate (wattage) range, otherwise you run the risk of overtaxing the PSU leading to premature failure.

If you were to upgrade the power supply your options would include a much wider choice of cards.

Neither of the choices would be considered optimum for gaming. But, depending on what type of game you play, they may be just fine.

Hopefully this is the last question, where do I find the service tag number?

Thank you everyone for your help. You are terrific! Puzzler

Dell has instructions on finding your Service Tag ***here***