Corrupted Graphics

[Maztrim]

I'm having a problem with my Video Card. Occasionaly when I play some PC games (DAOC, RTW) My screen temporarily locks up and then the graphics become horribly corrupted an I have to reboot to clear it. I have a GeForce FX 5600 128MB. Drivers are updated. I upped my virtual memory and it hasn't happened since. But that was just a few hours ago. Just wondering what causes this, and if the virtual memory uppage could have solved the problem or if I'm just lucky and it hasn't happened again yet.
Virtual Memory went from: Min: 2000+ Max 4000+ to Min 4000+ Max: 8000+.
I'm also running 1.5 Gigs of ram. If that matters.

[ski]

With 1.5 GB of RAM, it's highly unlikely that your system's virtual memory is even activating, unless there are a lot of programs running when you play games.
But see if increasing the VM's size keeps things running smoothly.

If not and the problem resurfaces, then reseat the video card making sure it's fully seated. Sometimes they need a healthy push to properly seat.

If that does not help, then make sure the video card's fan is running, the fan is properly and tightly mounted on the heatsink, and clean out any dust built up in the heatsink.
Also, clean out any dust in the CPU's heatsink.

If those are ok, then remove the computer's cover, and run an external fan.
If that works, then your system needs additional cooling fans.

[saphalline]

With 1.5 GB of RAM, it's highly unlikely that your system's virtual memory is even activating
Even with WinXP and lots of RAM, the OS will still use virtual memory. I know there's a registry hack for XP that will force the OS to use up all available RAM before hitting the hard drive, but I don't know where it is (check Black Viper's site - he's got tons of reg hacks).

Now when you list VM as "4000+ min", is that 4000 Megabytes?? Do you realize that's almost 4 Gigabytes? With 1.5GB of RAM, you should only need 400MB for your VM, and that's only for older apps & games that require virtual memory to be turned on. With that high of a min/max, I wonder if you have some serious system hog(s) that eat up memory and don't give it back! What programs are running when you try playing games?

Here's something to try - set your min and max for VM to the same value. That will improve performance when your system hits the hard drive.

[ski]

Even with WinXP and lots of RAM, the OS will still use virtual memory
Right you are, saphalline. Forgot about XP's need to use some VM at all times.

[Maztrim]

4000+ is bytes, as listed in VM, so therefore only 400MBs. Sorry about that mix up. Upping the VM seems to have fixed my problems. Thanks for the help