I usta play vo for hours at a time...no problems. i stopped for a few months and recently got back in. the first time i ran it...it crashed. the second time...unbearable white bars across the screen that now effect everything, including startup sequences. with the help of a new video card, i can play...but only to be disconnected from any form of internet communication a few minutes after loading the game. I can repair my internet connection by disabling my network connections, restarting, and then re-enabling. i'm confused as i am using the same system that i was back in the day when i had no problems at all.

OS: Windows 2k
Video: 256MB ATi Radeon (now an ATi 32MB somethin or other)
RAM: 1.0GB
Processor: 1.0Ghz
Internet: Adelphia high-speed cable

Wow, that's really strange.
Try lowering the video quality, but that wouldn't solve the disconnection problems (uness it's just that something took too long in VO and it timed out the connection). it could solve the white bars, though.

eh, the white bars are permanent (time to buy a new card :D) and yea...i get disconnected every time i run it...'tis odd

Are you able to play at all before you are disconnected?

yea, i can play for about 5 minutes or so and then I get the little "disconnected from server" message. I have a supposed "weak" connection to adelphia so it's not news for it to drop...but the strange thing is...when i get disconnected from the VO server, my modem still claims to be connected and my router seems to be running fine...but my pc is completely unable to access anything on the internet, from any app.

And i apologize for being persistent, but do you expect the death of my graphics card to be the work of VO, or was it just its time anyway? (though it was only a few months old)

and also...when purchasing a new video card...i ask you, being a developer and familiar with the workings of the game...is there any particular brand you'd suggest for best performance with VO?

...and ya know...after the luxuries of 256mb...i've grown spoiled and am determined to relieve myself from this dealthly 32mb disease, and am therefor willing to pay somewhat of a hefty fee.

I haven't kept up on the cards with 256megs of vram.
Radeon x1600 256meg cards are only like $140 on pricewatch and the geforce 6800 (PCIe) is about $140 from newegg.
ATi seems to be a little better at Direct3D and nvidia seems to be a bit better at OpenGL.

However, most of the newer cards also require the cpu to do more work in sending the info to the card.

I'm hesitant to suggest anything because it might suck for something and then you'll blame me, but I personally would prefer the radeon x1600 if you have AGP.

hehe, i do...and i've personally been an ati fan myself...and don't worry...no blame to you, i just wanna play :(

hmmm...now i just lock up as soon as i log in...

i'm starting to think my pc just has a vendetta against vendetta...

i shall try another...ty for your help

You might want to have a look at the operating temp of your computer. Try pulling the cover off and directing a fan in there. While you're at it, you might pull your card out, get the dust off, and reseat it.

yea, i've done all of those...but to no success. I thank thee for your suggestions but I'm rather convinced it's time for a new card.