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Ok, I just installed Oblivion on Vista. When It first starts up it detects my system and sets the settings accordingly...but it sets them to low.  I knock the settings up manually and start it up. it will crash 2 ways: (A) it freezes if I try and go into settings (B) it freezes when it gets to the character creation screen. When it freezes, it does one of 2 things: (1) goes to desktop, makes a small black window 'Oblivion' and im unable to do anything else without a restart. music keeps playing (2) it goes black for a second, shows desktop and displays 'Oblivion has stopped working...' i can ctrl+alt+del to end it and its fine. Im hoping its just a driver error.

 

EDIT: ive also already went to nvidia.com and downloaded the 175 version drivers

I believe that you need to patch oblivion from their website http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/updates_patches.htm

if that doesn't work make sure that vista is up to date with all the latest fixes and updates. hopefully that should fix your problem

 

Also, as an update on the progress...I installed COD4 to check to see if it may just be oblivion, and it crashes as well...although it lasts longer in COD4. I started a new game and it gets to the training area. And after a few seconds chops, goes black, and returns to the game to where I can move for a few more seconds, black, back, so on so on...Could it be the CPU running too hot??

 

And as for the patch for oblivion, i have shivering isles and it says 'not required if you have shivering isles installed' cuz its the same version i think. But, ill give it a try anyways.

to check and see if it's heat, try this, take the side panel off of your tower and let a desk fan blow on the inside of your computer while it's running, if it works fine then you've got a heating problem, if not, then it's probably software based

IF its a heat problem, how do I go about fixing it? buy several case fans?

 I feel a lot of heat coming from above the cards from this thing here: http://www.guru3d.com/imageview.php?image=13076  and its being blown right on top of the card in the first PCIe slot...i bet thats it. how can i fix it?

Heat from the northbridge on Intel based boards is normal, they will get hot.

Just get down and look at the fan on the videocard make sure it's spinning. If it's been in the system for a while, turn the computer off and take the card out, clean out the dust from the heatsink and fan.

I had a video card fan go out on me at work and it would be fine in windows and all of a sudden....crash to black/blue screen with funky colors. But sometimes it'd run for an hour or so before it'd do that, finally opened up the case and saw the fan wasn't turning and Videocard heatsink was boiling hot.

Otherwise I'd say your drivers are out of date and/or games are not patched. But seeing as both games crash the same way it's probably videocard driver/heat problem.

good luck

This is a brand new system that i finally got running (I got a DOA hard drive, RMAd it and just got it back). I wouldnt be surprized if ive got bad drivers somewhere not installed. Both fans are working, but between the two cards it does feel warm. Im gonna try pulling em and swapping them. maybe that'll do the trick

ok, swapped cards. Uninstalled/reinstalled COD4 and got it to run, BUT the screen is chopping in places. Looks like several sized triangles flashing around as Im walking around. it also does it during the pause screen. Any ideas?

Sounds like you have artifacts.

Usually caused by faulty/old drivers or overclocking/heat.

If you have the cards overclocked make sure you set them back to stock speeds. Try opening the case and pointing a desk/floor fan towards the inside of the case so that it blows cool air on the videocards. See if you have the same issue. Alternatively, try and take a temp from the cards. If they're over 100c then your really hot and this is the problem.

If you've already installed drivers you need to make sure you have the latest/up-dated drivers. If you using SLI make sure you have the right drivers for that as well. SLI is usually dependant on an onboard chipset as well, so make sure your motherboard is up to date.

Hope that helps.