Possible refresh rate related constant game crash?!

[trodler]

Ok, so this problem only occurs when i am playing a game (like half life, guild wars etc) any other time (like when on internet etc) its COMPLETELY FINE! it would also be safe to mention that this problem has only started recently (as in the last few months) and i THINK is related to the refresh rate.

So ill be playing a game normally, then the screen would go randomly blank, often with the last sound that was heard looping over and over. sometimes the screen doesnt go blank (its just stops, as if its crashed), but the sound problem continues. other times after its done with of these things the screen comes back on, but with the image like squashed into one side, and sometimes it just goes back to normal (but this happens very frequently so actually playing a game is near to impossible).

Now ive had a google search, tried using 'Refresh Force' and that didnt do anything, i adjusted my Graphics card settings and nothing has changed.

I'll also rule out the possiblity that its a virus or any other intrusion since i pride myself in keeping my computer as healthy as possibly.

its only just over a year old.

specs:

Dell Dimension C521
MS Windows XP SP3

AMD Athalon 64 x2 Dual Core Processor 4000+

1GB RAM

ATI Radeon X1300/X1500 Series

Please help because i wanna play half life

[Zombeast]

did you try changing the refresh rate in the game

[trodler]

yeah :( it happens with every game though!

[Zombeast]

whats the resoloutin your playing at?

[trodler]

1024 x 768
75hz