Help with Freezing comp

[Zarick]

My computer keeps freezing in graphically intense applications.. like asherons call 2.
I will just be playing along and then all the sudden my whole computer just locks up. I see the game, but the screen is frozen, my mouse is frozen, my keyboard is frozen. Usually the the last sound is repeated very fast. It's almost like my computer is looped. I have tried everything to fix this.. I don't have a clue whats causing it.

Specs

Winxp
Asus a7v133 mobo
Sb live value
Geforce 3ti500
thunderbird 1.2ghz
512 pc133 ram
netgear nic
linksys nic

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[amdskip]

Your processor and video are holding you back some. Turn down some of the details to see if it helps any. What operating system are you using?

 

[Fireman]

Hmmm well I looked on MS's web site for the hardware requirements and it says it will run on a 733 proc with a 32 meg 3D vid card so your 1.2 birdy and Ti500 should be more than enough.
How many apps does your comp have running in the background? If your system tray is full of stuff, or when you hit Ctrl-Alt-Del there is a long list of programs running you may have to much running at once. Try shutting down any non essential apps and then running your game.

 

[Zarick]

Its not just AC2. I was just using it as an example.
Turning stuff down doesn't help.
It seems to happen randomly.
Sometimes it happens when nothing is on the screen at all .

 

[Fireman]

Have you updated XP with the latest DL's?

 

[Zarick]

yes ive updated xp.
The only thing that solves the issue is if I remove 1 of my 256 ram chips.
It doesnt matter which one. Either is fine, but it solves the problem.

 

[Fireman]

Well that doesn't eliminate the RAM altogether, they may just not like each other. Are they identical chips, or at least the same cas rating? Many of my problems have been solved by swapping out RAM chips.
Also try updating the mobo chipset drivers if you havn't already.

 

[Zarick]

Ones an apacer ones a kingston value.
I honestly thought they were both made by kingston.
I haven't a clue as to what the cas rating is on either.

 

[Fireman]

I have had trouble with Apacer RAM. I had a 256 and a 128 chip that were identical on specs but would not work together. I pulled the 128 and now that machine works fine.
I would bet that's your problem.