Yet another computer problem that's driving me nuts...

I built my girlfriend a "new" computer, using a Soyo Dragon Lite motherboard (SiS chipset) and an Intel Celeron 1.7GHz socket 478 processor. I used this combo 'cause it was on special, I'll admit. It's got 128 MB of PC2100 DDR RAM, and is running Windows 98SE (there are too many programs that we can't replace that are XP-incompatible).

I have tried this with DirectX versions 8.0 and 9.0, and with two AGP video cards and one PCI video card. All associated drivers were downloaded from the appropiate websites (Soyo for the AGP driver; ATI for the two AGP cards, and S3 for the PCI card; the PCI card's an older one, but I know it's capable of playing video). With every configuration, I've got a few problems.

First, attempting to run DXDIAG.exe succeeds in only locking up the computer. Second, attempting to run any videos (such as an mpg file) results in the same problem. Third, attempting to open a game (such as SimCity 3000) results in the computer locking up on a black screen.

Given that I've tried three different video cards, unless the motherboard's got a problem, I don't think that's it. THe two AGP cards were brand-new; the PCI card is known to work, and has worked on a computer that could play videos/games before. At this point, my best guess is a software problem.

Before I re-install Windows, does anyone have any ideas on what else I could look for and update? Windows Update doesn't have anything new, and again, I've got the latest drivers and the latest version of DirectX, to my knowledge.

Thanks in advance!

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1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
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