what is your CPU Usage before you start the game? Other then your oc what is running on your pc right now? Look at you memory to see if its in place (is it insertered right) Do you have enough memory? Have you bumped (banged) your PC/Laptop? Have you d/l any new screen savers? (There are some bad ones out there) If so use the one that comes with xp Why i ask this "i have d/l this game on diff PC and it works all the time.