Out of date drivers can cause all sorts of problems and impair your gaming experience.  For gaming, Direct-x and your graphics card drivers will determine the quality and if you can even play.  ToP seems to have a hissy-fit with some of the older ATI Radeon graphics drivers, and I'm getting weary repeating how to update drivers.

Direct X:
How do I find out what my current direct x version is?
  - On your computers Desktop: click Start then RUN
  - Type in dxdiag and hit OK

This brings up your computers diagnostic info.  On this first page is your Direct X version:


How do I update my Direct X?
Currently 9.0c is the latest version for XP and Vista is 10.  If you do not have 9.0c+, I recommend updating your direct x.  DirectX has recently be changed, and I believe this install will work for either XP or Vista (please let me know if it does not): Microsoft Direct X

Note: Direct X 9.0c is the latest version made for Windows XP. It is not advisable to install Direct X 10 onto XP because it was developed primarily for Windows Vista and it will conflict with any other windows other than Vista.


Graphics Card:
How do I find my gfx card type and driver info?
  - On your computers Desktop: click Start then RUN
  - Type in dxdiag and hit OK
  - At the top of the window, click the Display tab

This brings up the computers Display/Video information.  This is where you find your gfx card model and driver info:


Note: Also, make sure that DirectDraw Acceleration and Direct3D Acceleration are enabled as shown in the above screen shot.

How do I update my graphics card drivers?
There are many gfx card models and numbers.  You will have to figure out if you are the latest on your own.  You will need to go to the manufacturers website>drivers>your model> and update if there is a newer driver version.  

Main gfx card websites:
  -  ATI: http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html (if possible use Omega drivers)
  -  nVidia: http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
  -  Intel: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/ ... +hdr_nav2_download# (Select Graphics)