Hi Jim,
I appreciate your post and hope you contact Microsoft
support to file a bug report with them to be sure that the
issue is addressed. They might offer you a credit/refund.
--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
Game FAQs:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite:
http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________
| Jimmy,
|
| I have tried all the things listed in your post including visiting the
| excellent site
http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk. I am a programmer by trade
| and use my computer all day with no problems, including playing many
| older games such as Quake and UT. It's only since DX9 with SimCity and
| RON that I've had a freeze.
|
| If you do a search for "Rise Of Nations" +freeze you will find
| thousands of people getting the same issue. Have we all suddenly
| bought faulty hardware? I don't think so.
|
| My opinion is that it's either a combination of DX9 and my Radeon 9800
| (along with a few other cards) or RON itself. Until the driver/DX
| programmers agree that there's a problem there's not going to be a
| fix.
|
| One more expensive coaster courtesy of MS.
|
|
| "Jimmy S." <Private> wrote in message | > Hi Jim,
| >
| > Since 9.0b doesn't freeze my system, and I play Halo everyday..
| > Hardware issues can cause freezing, black screens and other
| > errors. Also, your drivers should always be kept up to date.
| >
| > Try the following steps one at a time to try and resolve the issue.
| > I hope this helps. Please post back if you have any questions!
| >
| > 1. Update DirectX and your Chipset, Sound, &Video Drivers:
| > For all Video / DirectX / Game and Hardware Issues, I have a
| > Checklist of Solutions at:
http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk
| >
| > 2. Dust your fans, vents and components using a 1/4" paintbrush
| > and a hose vacuum. Use compressed air for hard to reach places.
| > Set a housefan to blow cold air into your case to expose an over-
| > heating issue.. If it works add more fans or replace defective ones.
| > Use this Motherboard Monitor Utility:
http://mbm.livewiredev.com
| >
| > 3. A faulty power supply can cause STOP errors, random reboots,
| > and black screen lockups. One way to test for that is to check the
| > wattage sticker on your power supply and then calculate your need
| >
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/ (Min. 350 for gaming)
| >
| > 4. Test your RAM using:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp