Serious Crashing Issues. Need Some Assistance ASAP

Ok... in short - the game crashes randomly and frequently. I run the game in a window. I have the graphics set to the lowest, with the resolution at 800x600. I will copy and paste some of my comp details after this message.

I am a fan of this game, however the crashing has really gotten out of hand for me. I can't enjoy my time spent in-game when I am awaiting for the crash to take place. PLEASE NOTE- the game crashes a lot, however I also experience BSODs due to the game. I never have this issue anywhere else except when it is taking place.

I would greatly appreciate help in this area.

Here are my comp details-

(if you need any more information, please ask. Or if you have any ideas, please let me know!)

Thanks in advance.

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System Information
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Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit (6.1, Build 7100) (7100.winmain_win7rc.090421-1700)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6400+ (2 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3326MB RAM
Page File: 917MB used, 5733MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7100.0000 32bit Unicode

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Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8400 GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0404&SUBSYS_C7383842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1907 MB
Dedicated Memory: 499 MB
Shared Memory: 1407 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: Q9-2 Series
Monitor Id: VSCC01D
Native Mode: 1280 x 1024(p) (60.020Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver File Version: 8.15.0011.8618 (English)
Driver Version: 8.15.11.8618
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/10/2009 06:03:00, 7611904 bytes

I see no reason why your computer would not run SL without excessive crashes. The driver you are using for your graphics is about 6 months or more old........though it should run okay. The latest driver for that card is here:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7_winvista_32bit_190.62_whql.html

You might try upgrading to that driver.

I have a question. You say you run SL in a window at 800 by 600........why? The specs you copied/pasted suggested your monitor's native resolution is 1280 by 1024. You'll get the best quality at that resolution. My monitor's native resolution is the same and when I run SL in a window the window is 1280 by 978 (or something very close). I don't think that would cause you to crash, but I know you are missing quite a bit of detail using the smaller resolution. Another point of interest. You have 8 gigs of RAM. 32 bit OS's can only recognize about 3 gigs............you're wasting 5 gigs. You might consider upgrading your Windows 7 to 64 bit to get full use of that memory.

And one more thing. Clean out your computer case. Heat certainly can cause what you are experiencing. Get some compressed air cans and blow all the dust out of the case, fans, and vent openings. Also get some temp monintoring program to keep tabs on how hot your CPU and GPU are while running SL (or any other graphics intensive program). A free one I use is "PC Wizard 2008.

Thank you! I will give all of this a try




Oh- and I went for the small resolution just to narrow down possibilities for crashes. I didn't know it was potentially hurting me lol.