Hi All, Thanks for the feedback on COD2, but I seem to have a bigger problem. Recently I have updated many drivrers on my computer because they were available on a CD. I installed the latest sound card drivers (WDM A379 REALTEK). I updated the Nvidia drivers to 81.94, and recently to 81.98 Then I also installed the latest via hyperion drivers, which I think messed up everything. After installing the latest via drivers, my browser used to hang up everytime I closed it. I uninstalled it and re-installed the via VIA_Hyperion 4in1_v456v drivers and now the system works fine, but I find my 3D Mark 05 Scores are reduced a lot. I always run 3dMark05 with 8xAA and 16xAF and have got scores of about 2200. Now with the 81.98 nvidia drives I am getting a score of about 1050 and with the 81.95 drivers I am getting a score of 1555 but most suprisingly with an older 81.85 (or 80.85) dirvers I am getting scores above 2000 (all with 8xAA and 8xAF). It seems that I have installed too many drivers and now my best option is to format and re-install everything, and this is where I need your advice as to the correct procedure to go about re-installing everything. I have the following: 1) WinXP pro+sp1 on 1CD 2) SP2 on another CD 3) Via VIA_Hyperion 4in1_v456v drivers 4) WDM A376 and WDM A379 Realtek soundcard drivers. 5) 81.95 & 81.98 nvidia drivers. Please tell me the best way to go about installing all the above after formatting. I would obviously install XP with SP1 first. After that should I directly install SP2 before installing the via drivers? Or should I first install the via drivers and then the SP2. Should I install the sound/vedio drivrs before/after installing the via/sp2? If anyone can list out the correct procedure by which I can go about re-installing everything after a format, that would be really helpful, because I would like to format it soon and start playing COD2. Sarosh

Are you uninstalling the old drivers before installing the new ones? nVidia provides specific instructions on how to update the drivers & the new are NOT supposed to be installed over the old. http://www.nvidia.com/object/driver_installation_hints.html Rather than going thru the hassle of formatting, try using DriverCleaner. Follow the instructions....install the program, then go to Add/Remove to take out the old nVidia drivers, then reboot to safe mode & run DriverCleaner to remove any remaining traces: http://www.drivercleaner.net/ Also, the newest drivers don't always work best. You may be able to get some tips from guru3D.com http://www.guru3d.com/ Then there's the issue with the VIA chipset drivers. Apparently you didn't read the descriptions at the website very well. With your P4M266 chipset you should be using the Retro 4in1 drivers (v4.43): http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=420&OSID=1&CatID=1070 If you insist on doing the format/reinstall, this may help: http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=5&ArticleID=446 This space for rent

Forgot this one: http://www.driverheaven.net/showthread.php?t=76416 This space for rent

Thanks Jam, I am aware of that, but I didnt expect that the 6600GT would already become so old that the latest drivers dont work well on them. From what I read, I dont even need to install the via drivers, because windows sp2 contains updated drivers for it. Sarosh

"I didnt expect that the 6600GT would already become so old that the latest drivers dont work well on them" I didn't say that... This space for rent

Thanks jam, However, I think I fixed the problem, but am not sure how. I am once again getting a score of 2041 in 3dmark 05 with 8xAA and 16xAf. I will post a new thread here soon to see if I can compare the scores with others. Dont get me wrong Jam, I know a bit about computers and stuff, but sometimes posting here is just interesting for the experience of other users. Even if no one offers me a solution, sharing the experience of others on matters that affect me is always interesting. Happy Christman, jam. Sarosh