With all those display card changes, I'd say you almost certainly have driver corruption issues, especially as you've changed to and fro between NVidia and ATi cards. Bits 'n' pieces of drivers get left behind and make a mess.
A Format and clean install is in order I believe, especially if you've had Windows Me, 'upgraded' over the top of it to have Windows XP, and then 'reverted' back to Me.
Windows Me is the WORST version for games to start with ;)
If I'm correct, you really need to wipe that hard drive clean and start over
Catweazle
Grandad
4,335 posts since Mar 2004
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OK then.
Format again. Put that Radeon 9200 back in. It's the best card of the bunch. Install Windows XP. Install your motherboard drivers. Install Windows updates. Install DirectX9b. Install Catalyst drivers from ATi website. Play games. All in that order.
If that doesn't work, perhaps it's time to consider your system might have other damaged or faulty components. Have you tried a different RAM module? Poor quality RAM can cause game crashes.
Catweazle
Grandad
4,335 posts since Mar 2004
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Remove the processor and heatsink, clean both, and reinstall them using new thermal paste or compound. The old stuff may have 'dried out'.
Catweazle
Grandad
4,335 posts since Mar 2004
Reputation Points: 229
Solved Threads: 149
Catweazle
Grandad
4,335 posts since Mar 2004
Reputation Points: 229
Solved Threads: 149
This is a system which has already had overheating problems with the display card. The owner is reporting that the processor heatsink is unusually hot.
Athlon processors come accompanied with a heatsink/fan which has a 'thermal pad' in place. If the heatsink is moved during the fastening process, thermal pads can become damaged and a good connection/thermal interface between processor die and heatsink does not result.
In addition to this, once the heatsink is removed, all traces of previous thermal material/paste/whatever should be completely removed and cleaned, and new material applied before the heatsink is reattached.
Anyone not following these procedures when working with Athlon processors (which do not have a heat-spreader in place over the core die) is risking overheating problems and damage to the processor.
Catweazle
Grandad
4,335 posts since Mar 2004
Reputation Points: 229
Solved Threads: 149