The hardware detection claims the game needs "Shader model 3" . I have "shader model 2".
Is this a software upgrade or hardware.
I have an HP laptop with an ATI radion XPRESS 200 video card.

It is a hardware problem. You need a capable video card- and sometimes you cannot upgrade a video card on a laptop. Contact the place you got it from or the manufacturer to see if it cam be upgraded to a shader model 3 video card. The laptop might still not work with the game. They are listed as "not officially supported" since sometimes they will work, sometimes not.

That's what I figured. The direct drive site said nothing about any hardware mumbo jumbo.
Live and learn. I'm glad I only spent $20.
Thanks for the info

Just a suggestion- check out the system requirements for games. I used to be able to play anything now few work (also no shader model 3.0 card and not worth updating my older AGP computer without redoing almost everything else on it).

Usually do. I took for granted, since it was $20, that it would work. You know, less money, older game, less requirements......