Not sure if 98se problem, but....

Well, I formated /installed again and leaving out PowerDVD. After I did, this was posted at another board (over at ArsTechnica which I am a member of).


error messages coming from your monitor? Then your video card is putting out some weird signal that the monitor doesn't understand. That isn't a crash and format/reinstalling, while it might resolve the issue, will not actually address the problem.

If the error messages are coming from your monitor then there are two things I would check:

1) Video drivers: if you're not already using the latest NVIDIA drivers then upgrade to the latest. If you are already using them then you might try downgrading them to an earlier, more stable set.
2) ET support forum: I had exactly this problem playing Civ 3 so I checked the support pages and, lo and behold, it was a documented issue with certain NVIDIA cards. One short line added to the game's .ini file solved the problem.


Well, I did try the different driver versions with the same results. I have yet to try ET again because I want to try any fix that game's ini fix before I do (If you know where this fix/patch info is, PLEASE tell me!). Now I have the pleasure of config'ing Mediaplayer Classic to play OGM and MKV files (that's is NOT fun) and dealing with the odd random re-boots I get from moving faster than the computer can process what I am doing (I really got to slow down some!)

At least I set a recond (for me) on the format/install...less then 4 hrs total!!! Earlier record was 7-8 hrs...I must be getting good at this!

 

Well, have an update..

Yet to install ET, but last nite system started to crash alot, expecially when I tried to watch movies (that I was able to watch yesterday). Installed new drivers, no luck. Turned the system off for the nite and when I turned it on today, MAJOR problems! System acted like there was no Nvida card install and the drivers were not loading, with the screen all messed up, had no problems with safe mode tho.

Tried to re-install the drivers again and the system kept locking up when windows loaded. Finally pull the card and replaced it with a GeForce 420 MX 64 megs card, install the drivers and everything loaded up and I am able to view the movies I could not view last nite.

Conclusion: There is something wrong with the card (no flawed caps from what I can see), thus making it a hardware problem.

Solution: Get a new video card...

 

Further update...

Spoke to tech support at Nvida and thye said hardware and to speak to Gigabyte. Called Gigabyte and they said hardware and to fill out RMA. Talk about LUCK! per the ser #, card is dated 2003, 52nd week! 1st 2 yrs is FREE parts and labor!!!!

Filled out the request and now have to wait a couple of days for the RMA#