Crashing and Graphics Problems

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Hey,

I used to be able to run Empire just fine. No problems at all. My Computer couldn't run it on high or anything, but I could set everything to it's low settings and play to my heart's content. However, a few months back I started having some graphics problems where colors would change on people and I started to see some weird "stuff" as well. For instance, there would be Pole like things sticking up beyond where the muskets were supposed to end for a good (compared to the people) 30 feet or so. Soon after these things start appearing my game will crash. It's like clockwork.

What's worse is that even in the Menu, I'm getting weird graphics problems and rarely a lock up/Crash.

The same thing is happening when I play Mount and Blade as well, so I'm fairly sure it's not this one game, it has to be something with my system. Is it a Graphics Card? Video Card? I'm Computer illiterate so I have no idea what the deal is. The other functions on my computer are working fine, I can obviously use programs like Firefox without a problem, iTunes works fine, Microsoft word is good. Just these games.

Can you advise me? Please no jargon, try to explain it as if to a child.

[irishron]

Your graphics card is probably getting hot.

When was the last time you cleaned out your case real good? Are the vents clean and open?

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Well, it's funny you should say that irishron, last year I was having some minor problems and a friend cleaned out the case and the problems went away for a while then reappeared over the summer. I'm going to have my friend come over and clean this thing out and test her again and I'll get back to you on the results.