08.04.2010, 22:38
Sounds to me like a Windows problem. If I were you, I'd first back up all my data and try a reformat and reinstallation of Windows. Since you haven't expressed any desire to do that, I digress.
At this point it isn't worth replacing the motherboard and leaving the rest intact. You'd be better off saving up a little and purchasing an entirely new rig. It is for this reason that I have not upgraded my own machine-the parts compatible with it cost more than newer, more potent hardware.
If you must replace the motherboard, you should look for the following:
-Motherboard is an LGA775 socket (I'm assuming that's what your P4 is, if you could confirm it, that would certainly be helpful)
-Support for Pentium 4 CPUs and 100MHz FSB; some of the newer LGA775 motherboards won't support such an old chip.
-PCI-express x16 2.0; I can't stress this enough, because this is what is going to get you some mileage out of the replacement. Since your current video card is also an AGP card, you'll have to buy a new graphics unit.
Now, since you'll end up having to buy both a new motherboard and graphics card, this is where I get off saying it isn't worth it to just replace your motherboard and preserve the rest. That same money could potentially buy you a brand new Socket AM3 motherboard and an appropriate Phenom II or Athlon II CPU to go with it, which is a HUGE performance increase. You just have to spend a little more to buy a new GPU (which you will have to do anyways) and new DDR3 RAM.
I have some older, 91.28 NVIDIA drivers. These were designed during the GeForce 7 era and as such are best optimized for them. They work marvelously for me in every game both old and new without a hiccup. If you want, I could send them to you, you just have to tell me how. Alternatively, you could look them up via Google and find a download location for a 91.28 version suitable to your locality (mine is US).
At this point it isn't worth replacing the motherboard and leaving the rest intact. You'd be better off saving up a little and purchasing an entirely new rig. It is for this reason that I have not upgraded my own machine-the parts compatible with it cost more than newer, more potent hardware.
If you must replace the motherboard, you should look for the following:
-Motherboard is an LGA775 socket (I'm assuming that's what your P4 is, if you could confirm it, that would certainly be helpful)
-Support for Pentium 4 CPUs and 100MHz FSB; some of the newer LGA775 motherboards won't support such an old chip.
-PCI-express x16 2.0; I can't stress this enough, because this is what is going to get you some mileage out of the replacement. Since your current video card is also an AGP card, you'll have to buy a new graphics unit.
Now, since you'll end up having to buy both a new motherboard and graphics card, this is where I get off saying it isn't worth it to just replace your motherboard and preserve the rest. That same money could potentially buy you a brand new Socket AM3 motherboard and an appropriate Phenom II or Athlon II CPU to go with it, which is a HUGE performance increase. You just have to spend a little more to buy a new GPU (which you will have to do anyways) and new DDR3 RAM.
I have some older, 91.28 NVIDIA drivers. These were designed during the GeForce 7 era and as such are best optimized for them. They work marvelously for me in every game both old and new without a hiccup. If you want, I could send them to you, you just have to tell me how. Alternatively, you could look them up via Google and find a download location for a 91.28 version suitable to your locality (mine is US).