[sniffy]

Help!!!!!
I have bought rome total war installed game but cant run!
I have :
amd 2400 chip
geforce 4200
512 ddr ram
audigy sound card
My problem is that when I try to start the game I get the initial screen up (e.g. start new game, options,uninstall game, etc)
but when I try to play the screen goes black for a few seconds then I am returned to desktop display, with rome minimilized to the bottom taskbar! I have latest direct x, latest drivers for graphics.
Anybody have any ideas?????????