Issues with my PC

[bradqwer]

Hiya guys I'm Darren, I'm having serious issues with my current PC and Im at my wits end tbh, hoping somone can offer me some advice or a easy fix solution here is the Spec of my PC:

 

Proc: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 6400+ 3.20 GHz

Ram: 4.00 GB

32 - bit OS Windows 7

ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2

 

Here's my Problem, IMO this system is a pretty decent gaming rig, but recently I wiped my OS system which was XP, and had it replaced in a shop with Win7 but since I have been having issues with running even the most basic of games take the below as an example

 

Imperivm

1.7 GHz AMD proc or better

Radeon 9550 or better

512 Ram

 

In the past my system has run graphic heavy versions of rome total war so It should have no problem handleing a game like this.

 

The current problem is pretty much I THINK a graphic issues but I have no idea how to sort them out typicaly when I load a game i suffer 1 of 2 issues, its either on the main home screen for the game the title screen loads but then I cant see the options ie new game old game etc etc, the only way I am able to see these is if i keep moving the cursor over the box think the revesre rubber effect.

 

Assuming I get round problem 1 then problem 2 always happens, say Im playing a game once it starts the game will just freeze, like on the campign map on rome total war, the game freezes I cant move the cursor or ctrl Alt Del to get to desktop, so im assuming it a graphics issue, im so clueless to fix PC's Dont wanna pay out a load more money on getting it sorted either.

 

I have the drivers updated to 11.3, In another forum it was suggested that maybe I have my onboard graphics card enabled but to be honest I tried looking in the Bios and cant seem to see any option that would say I have a On board Graphics card, in the device manager the only graphics listed in the display adaptars is the two 4800 HD x 2 cards

 

The system works fine for Youtube, and internet but im really wanting to play my games, I know the games Im running should run on this system as I have games that have run on worse systems, any advice guys??????

[RandyL]

Hi Brad.

I'm suspicious of this.

I wiped my OS system which was XP, and had it replaced in a shop with Win7

I think you better run the Windows validation tool to see if it's legal. Unless they sold you a genuine Windows disk or upgrade disk it might be illegally installed.

 

The next thing to do is get all of the Windows updates.

 

Next I would run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor to see if all of your hardware is up to 7. Make sure all of your devices are plugged in and turned on first.

 

Then there is your RAM. Microsoft says that 1Gb is minimum. Whatever Microsoft suggests I always suggest double that for the minimum requirements. Add to that fact that your card requires 1 Gb minimum I think. So again 2 would be better as a minimum.

 

So you really need 3 to 4 Gb as a minimum just to run Windows 7 on your computer. Your pretty much maxed out. Yes it will do basic computing with that but for heavy use 7 needs much more RAM than XP.