I recently bought a new laptop, along with several games.
My laptop spec is:
- 512MB RAM
- Intel 943GML (Calistoga) + ICH7-M with up to 128MB shared memory - supports Intel GMA 950
- 80GB S-ATA HDD
- DVD +/-RW DL
- Windows Vista Basic
The games are:-
- Command & Conquer Generals ( Which does not say on the back that it runs on Vista)
- SimCity4 Deluxe Edition (Which also does not say on the back that it runs on Vista, but I have been informed that it should do so easily)
- X3: Reunion (including BALA GI's RESEARCH expansion and 2007 BONUS PACK)
My problem is with the games Command and Conquer Generals, SimCity 4 and X3: Reunion. I have bought and succesfully installed one of my games (Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind and both extra expansion packs) with no problems whatsoever. The problem with both SimCity 4 and C&C occurs after installation (which happens without a hitch). As soon as I go to play the game, A BLUE screen with white writing appears (I am not very skilled with computers, but it appears to be like a sort of MS DOS screen), but unfortunately it appears too quickly to read the contents of the page.

After this occurs, my computer automatically restarts. After this, the game does not appear again, and upon further trying, does the exact same thing again and again. I THOUGH that I might get around the problem by setting the properties of both to an earlier version of windows (such as 2000 or XP; help gained from Windows HELP) but both ran on with the same problem. I have tried running the computer with no starting programs running, and even in SAFE MODE, but still no change occured.

The problem with X3 occurs also after installation. The game starts fine, but when I select a new game, the computer takes a long while before it loads. during the load (which lasted around 10-15 mins) my screensaver came up, and interfered with the graphics. Eventually, the new game began, but the screensaver still further intercated and stuttered the gameplay. After a long period of frusration, I eventually was forced to pull the battery pack from behind the laptop, as all attempts to exit (incl. CTRL + ALT + DEL) would not work.

Any help, or ideas, as to the problem with the games would be helpful, and any feedback would be greatly appreciated . Any further information needed to remedy the problem will be given.

GeraldI also play SC4 Deluxe. Good game, bad time-sucker.

I USE XP, so I wasn't familiar with this problem. I looked online and it seems that most problems are fixed by updating your graphics drivers. Naturally, on a laptop you have onboard video (no video card), so it's important to get drivers for the RIGHT onboard "card".

What make and model is your laptop? (For example, Dell Dimension E520 is a type of desktop.)