Would you be able to make a list of your computer's specs?
As for pixle/vertex shader that is a feature of newer 3d cards, and is a requirement to play this game. Find out what card and you can problay check on the net if it is compatible, or post it here and someone should know. Most newer 3d cards have this, and you may need to buy a new one with support.
As for DirectSound compatible audio hardware.. this would be your sound card. I've never really heard of sound cards being a major issue for games so I can't help you that much there :(. Most likly if you have a soundcard, and it works, and you've played any partialy modern games it problay has it.
Here are hte games requireted specs:
-Operating System: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP
-Processor: 1GHz or greater
-RAM: 512 MB
-Video Card: DirectX 9 compatible. Pixel shader and vertex shader compatible hardware with 64 MB of texture memory
-Sound Card: DirectSound compatible audio hardware
^ It is reccomended htat you have 1000megs instead of 512megs of ram.. and problay having more then 1ghz processor would help a lot.
I've also hears having a 3d card with more then 64megs helps with textures, and allows you to have more of them loaded, thus nicer looking and better speeds..
I hope this helps somewhat :(.. if you post your specs i'll take another look and post my ideas. Unfortunitly I don't have hte game myself yet so I can't say from personal opinion. I too need new computer :(