OK ... I can see more clearly the RAM issues ... before you try to change the drivers could you please run this scan:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Post back the listings under:

Memory Modules

&

Display

But, since its been doing it since new, u still think its a RAM issue? i realy hope so..im so sick of it. will post info back soon

Memory Modules c,d

192 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'M1' has 64 MB
Slot 'M2' has 128 MB


Display:

Intel(R) 82810 Graphics Controller (Microsoft Corporation) [Display adapter]
HP MX70 [Monitor] (15.7"vis, s/n THTCW00865, June 2001)

The RAM could be mis-matched. If so you could try to remove the 64 MB stick. I was amazed that Dell shipped this model with 128 MB & XP Home as XP recommends a minimum of 256 MB RAM.

Anyway regardless of size a mis-match of compatible sticks is a common problem.

That being said I would first off try the Graphics Driver. Intel shows the latest version for your chip as that '02 driver. I do not know where the '04 version that you have came from.

The Read Me (txt) has the install instructions:

3.1 INSTALLSHIELD (AUTOMATED) INSTALL FROM WEB DOWNLOAD

2. To install from a Web download, you will download an EXE file from the Web.
Double-click the file you
downloaded and the Read Me file will be displayed.
Click "Next". Choose a location to Save the installation
files and click "Next". If an "Overwrite Protection" window
appears, click "Yes to All" so that the installation files
are replaced with the version you are installing. Continue
on to step 3.

3. Click "Next" on the Welcome screen.

4. Read the license agreement and click "Yes" to continue.

5. The driver files will now be installed. When the install
finishes, choose the "Yes.." option to restart, and click
"Finish" to restart your computer. The driver should
now be loaded. To determine if the driver has been loaded
correctly, refer to the Verifying Installation section
below.

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scri...5&submit=Go%21

Often you must uninstall the old drivers first which would be done in Safe Mode but this is not apparent here.
If you have any issues with installing these drivers I would recommend starting in Safe Mode (press F8 repeatedly after rebooting clears the BIOS before Windows starts) and uninstalling the old drivers first via the Device Manager: Start/Run/ devmgmt.msc | Display Adapters. Right click on the Intel & choose either Update Driver or else Uninstall.

All that being said this could quite possibly be a RAM issue as it has always happened.

The best solution there is to get another stick of RAM. At least 128 MB & make sure of a match with the existing.

This scan should help along those lines:

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/index.asp

installed the graphics, now to see to the RAM problem, can i buy any 2 types of 128MB and just put them in? or does it need to match the computers internals aswell? cause im thinking ebay..?

what would u suggest?

It is best to have 2 identical sticks yes.

Memory

RAM (standard) 128 MB SDRAM standard

Maximum 512 MB (2 x 256 MB DIMM)

Speed 100 MHz synchronous

Sockets Two 168-pin DIMMs

Size 64, 128, and 256 MB DIMMs

Type supported SDRAM, 100 MHz, Intel PC SDRAM unbuffered DIMM specification, revision 1.0 compliant

You could go up to 2 X 256 MB but if you do that verify the compatibility carefully as older boards have density issues when loaded to the max.
You may need special density RAM.
If you go with 2 X 128 MB then you shouldn't have these issues.

I would still run that Crucial scan just to see what it recommends.

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/index.asp

That scan shows that the computer can take upto 512MB of RAM so i might try and get 2 sticks on 256? that sounds good..thanks for all the help, it'll be awhile till i get it so ill reply back then


BO

Just verify:

Type supported SDRAM, 100 MHz, Intel PC SDRAM unbuffered DIMM specification, revision 1.0 compliant

http://www.google.com/search?q=Type%....0%20compliant

Thanks for the thanks and let us know how it goes!