Yeah, i guess NFS isn't working for everyone. I bought mine from Handmark (
http://store.handmark.com/products/detail.php?id=108561), so it IS the retail version. I also googled a BUNCH, and found 4 narrowed down fixes, and none worked, which are the following-
1) proxy registry edit, making the number 0 from what it is at now.
2) Disabling TF3D before playing.
3) Pulling the keyboard out, and running again.
4) Disabling G-Sensor in settings.
Not sure why some people have issues, and some don't. But i've tried everything. And yeah, the rapidshare link in threefaces guide isn't working.