OK, here is the skinny. After reading all the posts today on the Fatal Error Syndrome, it kept occurring to me that something in the video driver / DirectX arena was probably the culprit, so I focused my energy there. I ran DXDIAG, an it said everything was fine and dandy, but I had my suspicions since it took forever for the Direct Draw test to start. Bottom line is that Windows really can't 100% fix itself. You have to do it for it. After trying just about every combination of driver setting, I decided to punt.
1.) I downloaded the latest version of DirectX (again) and installed it. It was the entire package of DirectX, not the updates. 2.) I downloaded the latest video driver for my NVIDIA GeForce 6200 3.) I went into Device Manager and I wiped the video driver clean off the system (files and Registry settings). Rebooted when it asked to. 4.) Once the system rebooted, I allowed it to install the standard VGA driver. 5.) Then I ran the NVIDIA driver install program and rebooted (again) 6.) Once it rebooted I re-ran DXDIAG and Direct Draw was MUCH faster. Direct 3D ran about the same. 7.) I crossed my fingers and sacrificed an effigy of Bill Gates in the back yard (this step is optional, but it makes you feel a lot better) 8.) I started Preview 8 and low and behold, it loaded. The PowerSDR Setup Wizard never looked so SWEET! Let the testing begin. -Tim --- Tim Ellison <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Integrated Technical Services <http://www.itsco.com/> Apex, NC USA 919.674.0044 Ext. 25 / 919.674.0045 (FAX) 919.215.6375 - cell >>> PGP public key available at all public KeyServers <<<
