🚀 go-pugleaf

Q: Can Microsot Zoo Tycoon 2 with with a standard IBM PC?

My kid somehow knew of & very much wanted "Zoo Tycoon 2" from Santa.
So, Santa went out and bought it for forty bucks at ToysRus.
My kid opened it gleefully today & that's the end of the happiness.

I have an 2 Ghz IBM A31p portable laptop running the latest WinXP.
This is a common laptop from as reputable a manufacturer as can be.
I've never ever had any graphics problems. Ever. Until now.

My kid is still crying over this Microsoft fiasco.
Please help me save the day.

Here's the scoop:
My IBM A31p passes ALL DirectX diagnostics (Start->Run->dxdiag)!
I double-click on the "Zoo Tycoon 2" desktop shortcut & get:
- Zoo Tycoon 2 Error
- Zoo Tycoon 2 does not support ATI Radeon Mobility 7500 graphics card.
- 1200Mhz, 1024MB
- 64M ATI Radeon Mobility 7500 (0x4c58)
- SoundMAX Digital Audio (0x2485)
When I run Start->Run->dxdiag, it says:
- DirectX Diagnostic Tool
- Display: Device: Name: ATI MOBILITY FIRE GL 7500
- Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
- Chip Type: MOBILITY FIRE GL 7800 AGP (0x4C58)
- DAC Type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
- Approx. Total Memory: 64.0 MB
- Current Display Mode: 1600 x 1200 (32 bit) (60Hz)
- Monitor: Default Monitor

Yet, when we run the Microsoft ZT2 game, we get:
- Zoo Tycoon 2 Error
- Zoo Tycoon 2 does not support ATI Radeon Mobility 7500 graphics card.
- 1200Mhz, 1024MB
- 64M ATI Radeon Mobility 7500 (0x4c58)
- SoundMAX Digital Audio (0x2485)

Since when doesn't the worlds' largest hardware PC manufacturer (IBM)
and the worlds largest software manufacturer (Microsoft) not work
together on something as simple and common as a kid's video game?
QUESTION:
Is all hope of saving Christmas lost?
What are our options?