could non upgrade of driver cause crashing

I have having major freezing problems or/and unexpected crashes to desktop, I cant seem to teleport anywhere as this to crashes me. The specs from my computer are as follows

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/14/2008, 19:56:35
Machine name: W-087279324B554
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: VIAK8_
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3000+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.8GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 366MB used, 3063MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7600 GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_02E1&SUBSYS_34281458&REV_A2
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7519 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)

I know that I should update the drivers to 178.24 but in doing this most of my clothes that I wear in Second Life become distorted or are not the way they are meant to be, so I have been running with the 175.19 version. Ok, now is this what is causing all my problems, the fact that I haven't updated my drivers? Do I update and put up with problems in Second Life, or is there something else that I am missing, some thing else that I can do or try?
Any suggestion is greatly welcomed.

its not the Drivers I run my 7900 on 169.01

check for dust in the fans of both the cpu and video card

nvidia drivers have always been pretty solid, i ran the 169 drivers for ages

and the only bonus i got from upgrading to the 175 drivers was a few token fps in a benchmark (bout +5)

Thankyou.. will check that out

isn't the AMD Sempron one of those super hot running cpu's? I know my AMD. (Athalon, runs to hot) Compaq has to have extra fans and the heat sink and fan on that CPU CLOG like mad ( I have no carpet in the house, so DUST form mars gets in there!) I keep the case open and blow it our once a day (its used as a mp3 server on the home network for the most part and the kids PC )

IT does sound like a cooling issue, it may be the GPU to though, how old is it? did it just start this ? has it progressively gotten worse? or was this a sudden onset issue?


the 175 gave me some bugs in SL but its old now those are running good now? maybe I will have to upgrade again finaly.. I hate having to roll back if its bad, uninstalling it all to make a clean driver instal is a pain! I am lazy~!