I got a similar problem with SC3000 Unlimited.
I got Windows XP SP2, and I succeed at installing SimCity 3000 Unlimited on my PC, but when I open it, right after the intro movie, I hear the sounds of the menus but I don't get the screen. Plus, just before the intro movie, some window pops up, but I can't read the text cause it's too small. I press "Okay" and then the rest happens.
Then I tried a few tips said on this forum, and now I can't install the game at all! I tried the "Running in compatibility mode" on both Windows 98 and 2000, still nothing works. The install goes well till the end at precisely 99%, when a window pops up saying "unspecified file cannot be found" and something like that. Then it reaches 100% and another window pops up, saying that the install will now abort.]
Anyone with advice will be greatly appreciated.