Screen goes black after starting game

Hello all,  this question is for someone who is good at finding and fixing bugs, but can explain to a total novice.  Novice = I put CD in drive, install game and play.  I just got Galactic Civ 2 and Dark Avitar installed, a long process on my near dail up access and download problems with Galactic Civ2.  They both look like they installed but when the menu comes up I click the play and the screen goes black in about 3/4s of the monitor.  It just does not go any further.  I have checked my vid card driver and it is the most current available.  Here is a copy of the debug file if it will help.  Thanks in advance for any assistance provided.  Iam so excited to play after reading everything I have over the last 3 days while waiting for them to download!

Debug Message:  Version v1.5 last updated on: Thu Jan 11 13:39:19 2007
Debug Message:  GalCiv2 is activated.
Debug Message:  Checking DX Version.
Debug Message:  *********DXDiag info follows.*********
System Info
Time: 10/11/2008, 13:13:19
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Machine Name: SERAPHIN
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Languages: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MSI
System Model: MS-7250
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+,  MMX,  3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Physical Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 467MB used, 5426MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

Display Info
Display device 1:
Device Name: \\.\DISPLAY1
Card Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 6600 GT
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Key Device: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0140&SUBSYS_33001458&REV_A2
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7813
Driver Date: 9/17/2008 09:55:00
DirectX Acceleration Enabled: Yes
 

Sound info
Sound device 1:
Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0883&SUBSYS_1462F603&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5294
Driver Date: 9/6/2006 02:04:12
Type: WDM
Other Drivers:
Acceleration Level: 3
Cap Flags: 0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
 

Debug Message:  *********END dxdiag info.*********
Debug Message:  Entering WinMain
Debug Message:  ******* Starting Game Shell *******
Debug Message:  Going Fullscreen
Debug Message:  Preparing to change display settings.
Debug Message:  Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_4_SAMPLES
Debug Message:  Could not create the render device using default format. Switching to 16bit
Debug Message:  Using multilsample setting: D3DMULTISAMPLE_NONE
Debug Message:  Could not create the render device.
Debug Message:  InitializeDirect3D Failed.
Debug Message:  Now Fullscreen
Debug Message:  Shell initialization complete
Debug Message:  WM_CLOSE message received.
Debug Message:  GameUninitialize start