i dont have SIM2 but this could fix ur directx proplem.

i havent read every1s tried solutions to the problem but here is my solution to this problem: on my computer i had directx9b, but i needed directx9c for a game to work, so i went to microsoft.com and tried to install update too directx, even though i have done this before so in theory i should already have directx9c, anyway the directx9c update from microsoft tried to install and said it was uptodate. Rebooted and went to dxdiag, still said directx9b :(((( so my theory is that directx9c is installed, so what i did next was go into regedit: click > Start > Run (Type: regedit.
goto : Hkey_local_machine/software/Microsoft/directx.

in this folder u will see a key called : Version 4.09.00.0902
what u need too do, is what i did and change this version to: 4.09.00.0904

keep in mind this will only work for this particle problem
and of course u will need a directx9c graphics card as ive seed some people dont have or dont know what card they have got.
and i take no responsibly if this messies up ur computer( make sure to backup first) but i have done this and had no problem.

U MUST REBOOT FOR THE CHANGES TO TAKE PLACE

next time u go in dxdiag it should say directx9c.

AMD Athlon xp2500
Msi KT400Ultra
WIN XP SP2
1GB RAM
Radeon 9800np
120GB western Drive