I was sorting my daughters computer out and managed to resuscitate it back from a 'blue screen of death' and proceeded to install the sims2 on it for her.
After a few hours of stopping unneccessary sevices, swapping graphics cards and the like I was still getting absolutely nothing from double clicking on the executable.
Bearing in mind that I've had several hours of fun with trying to get the previous version of the sims + add on's to not crash, eventually installing them in a specific order sorted it, after getting a working CD from a friend as hers had been rolled over
I mailed the company and explained the problem and gave all the details of the machine spec (thankfully I wasn't rude) and shortly afterwards as I was browsing the web to see if anyone else had sorted the problem, she popped her head round the door and said "Dad, you were trying to install using disk 1 wern't you?"
I later heard her on the phone to one of her mates that was also having problems installing it, advising them to check the disks as her dad had tried to install from the wrong one.