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After a nice chat with Firaxis/Infogrames tech support, we solved the problem which can be seen in the i82810 vid card thread. Or, at least it solved it for me (and my screen looked exactly the same as what's in the picture).
It turns out that prior to SP2, Win2K fonts had to be installed through some process so Civ3 when it installs can't install it's font.
Solution:
1. Download Win2K SP2 from www.microsoft.com/downloads
2. Uninstall Civ3.
3. Open the fonts folder (Start->Run-> type in fonts and hit Enter), and move the Lucinda fonts to some temp folder.
4. Reboot then reinstall Civ3.
5. Compare the contents of the Fonts folder to your temp folder and move any from the temp folder that are missing from the Fonts folder.
6. Play Civ3!!
Note: I don't know if steps 3 and 5 are necessary. I did them, it worked. YMMV.
Note2: I do know that step 6 is vital
It turns out that prior to SP2, Win2K fonts had to be installed through some process so Civ3 when it installs can't install it's font.
Solution:
1. Download Win2K SP2 from www.microsoft.com/downloads
2. Uninstall Civ3.
3. Open the fonts folder (Start->Run-> type in fonts and hit Enter), and move the Lucinda fonts to some temp folder.
4. Reboot then reinstall Civ3.
5. Compare the contents of the Fonts folder to your temp folder and move any from the temp folder that are missing from the Fonts folder.
6. Play Civ3!!
Note: I don't know if steps 3 and 5 are necessary. I did them, it worked. YMMV.
Note2: I do know that step 6 is vital