EQ - Client Crash QuestionsFollow

In Everquest, I have the problem of repeated client crashes. Sometimes I can play just fine and other days I get several client crashes, sometimes even just after logging in. I turn down the clip plane, character names and spell effects and it still happens.

I have noticed that in some graphically intense areas this is more of a problem. At the EQ tech forum, I did not really receive much help other than being told to delete some files after I had already posted that I deleted the files they told me too (which had resulted in being unable to log on at all).

So my questions are what is the leading cause of client crashes and what suggestions people have for addressing this.

PS: Computer is dated (AMD K7 650 with 382 ram and 64 mb vid card and cable internet).

I usually encounter problems after certain patches (ie. the directx8 and then the directx9 patches). Despite everything I try after such patches, where I get a lot of issues, it appears only to be resolved in a future patch. I cannot think of a specific change to my computer in the last while that would account for the problems other than being out of sync with the latest patches. In this case, it might have been the PoR patch but I have had periods where everything goes just fine.

I am using an older driver for my video card as the last time I ran the current driver I experienced missing parts of the ground or walls in certain zones.

Some specifics:

Running windows 2000 sp4.
My video card is an old GeForce 2 MX400 using the 56.72 drivers.
And, of course, Directx9c (which is required isn't it?)

I keep up to date on all virus definitions (and run it regularly) and am up to date with spybot and ad-aware. I also do not notice any unusual or extra processes running in the background. I occassionally leave on the shell extension part of AVG anti-virus (not sure if makes a difference) and will not disconnect ZoneAlarm during play. This was once suggested and only resulted in trojans (could not believe how fast that occurred with no firewall).

I will note my UI has some xml files out of date but otherwise it appears to function just fine. This has popped up with no visable problem before so I am not sure this is a concern although I will be updating those to eliminate concerns.

Thanks

Unfortunately, directx9c is required for EQ.



Currently, I am looking into motherboard drivers and will check my hard-drive out and see if there are any problems there.

I tried updating my video drivers and it only resulted in missing text in my chat box as well as some other graphics issues. I am back to old video drivers at the moment.

I have already run DocMemory and it indicated my memory was ok.

It was suggested to me that when I switched from an ATI video card to a nVidia card years ago that there may be some left over files causing conflict. As a last, and probable resort, I am looking at a re-installation of Windows2000.