I am really dense...

[Engine 14]

I first logged in on 9/4/11, writing about some problems I was having with both EM 3 and EM 4. Essentially, the games would load and play, but when I would exit, my computer would go to the BSOD. I was totally dumbfounded by this as the EM 3 and EM4 (both games on one disc) were purchased through Ebay from a recognized vendor. I went to various computer tech forums, downloaded and installed several programs that would printout computer diognostic reports, had forum chats with computer experts telling me what was wrong and how to remedy same, and various other suggestions. I finally took the computer down to an office supply chain store and they performed a "cleaning" at a cost of $169.00. To be sure, the cleaning did remove some malware and other evil things. So when I get the computer home, re-install the Emergency game, and start to play it, *bang* BSOD. I take the computer and the game disc back to the shop and explain my problem again. The tech looks at the disc and reports that he can see a small scratch on the disc, and says "..this may be what is causing your problem." So I order another EM 3 and EM 4 game from Ebay, and install it when it arrives. I play the game for about 20 minutes, exit out, *bang* BSOD. Now totally frustrated, I return to the store and say, "Just erase the hard drive and we'll reload the O/S, and that will give me a clean machine." The tech tells me, "..before we do that, let's run a check on your drivers." He goes to the ATI-Radeon site and finds out that I (yes, I) have neglected to keep my game drivers updated. There were about 40 updates that I had failed to install, and therein was the problem. The games play perfectly now, and I feel like such a fool. I am not computer-savvy, and expect things to function as they came from the store - I am not used to looking for "updates and modifications." But I now have a great-running game, and I just wanted to share this story with the members. Many hours and $169.00 were expended trying to solve a problem that had a FREE solution. Thank you.