So, trying to fix my copy of Crimson skies, I uninstalled it only to discover that for some reason my disc can barely be read and the game can't reinstall. So I tried to play it off the CD; same error as before. I don't know if my new graphics card has anything to do with it (I can get the splash screens, but once the Micro$oft movie begins to play, it all goes to hell). Thinking it may have to do with the CD itself as well, I might hunt for an ISO image of it (seeing as I legally own a physical copy). If that doesn't work, then that sucks. It worked while I had my old card, then that burned out, I finally find a file that would allow me to see who I was targeting (I was able to make it so far until the Black Swans came along), and it's after the GC switch.
At the same time, I think there's something screwy going on with my DVD player as well. Maybe caused by under-use, because even burning some CDs/DVDs have been a little screwy. It even had a hard time reading old DVDs I made (including some I have shows crammed in). Of all parts of my machine, I never expected to need to replace that. Maybe the graphics card is siphoning all the power needed or something, I don't know. I need a program that can tell me how the power is being distributed through my machine. Maybe I need to upgrade my power supply instead.
I guess there are no other workarounds I guess. How unfair.
I wanted to play the game so bad.
EDIT:
If you're curious, it's a 2-year old HiPro HP-D2537F3R 250w P/N:5188-2622 power supply my machine currently has. So yeah, I think my graphics card is siphoning most of the power that allows most the other parts operate properly. Probably why the DVD-player seems to not be as effective as it used to be. But again, I don't know how to tell what parts through the whole machine are getting how much power, and if the supply can handle it all. If there's a monitoring/speccy-like program that can help out, I probably won't have to shell out some cash to make an unnecessary upgrade. Plus, I also don't want to get too much power running through the machine to the point of overheating easily.
EDIT EDIT:
Well, looking over the specs of the card I got, it looks like by some miracle, it's operating as well as it does. Considering my current power supply, it's short by at least 200w (300w for SLI mode) and half the voltage rating to keep the entire machine operational graphics card and everything (or at least to have the graphics card working at all). At least by minimum recommendation on the site (Newegg).
It seems everything I use operates on Spiral Energy or something. Could explain why my car works like a dream for me, but like crap to anyone else. But yeah, I think the lack of adequate power was to blame for my previous graphics card burnout, and improper cooling. Not enough power distributed to keep the fans moving fast enough. Hell, I can hear to difference when I was switching the cards out (relying on the motherboard for graphics at the time so I can set things up, and after installing the card. Heck, I'm looking inside the machine right now, and things do seem a bit slower than usual. I guess I'll have to cut my losses and go for it. Shouldn't be too hard to install. I'll look at my much much older machine and see what power ratings it had (since it's still in one piece, but not operational).
EDIT EDIT EDIT:
As it turns out, my decade-older-than-current machine only has a 115w power supply with a 12v limit in it and it was beginning to show similar symptoms to my machine before it inexplicably crapped out. I think I'm convinced to see if power really was the problem the entire time and was responsible for the last card's burnout. I assume there wasn't enough power going through to the fan, and slower operations/executions because the processor hasn't been getting enough power to get things done. I'll be surprised if that is the reason for my computer turning rather crappy so quickly. Okay, I didn't notice the marking on it that said it was a 400W. Now I gotta look for the simmilar mark on my machine. Great.
EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT:
SONOFA--- My older computer is more powerful in power supplying than my current machine (150w more powerful, but more limited in voltage distribution). But due it's scale and age and such, I don't think it's compatible with my machine. But still, what in the name of crap. Yeah, I definitely need to get a more powerful supply. The newer one is less powerful than the elder one. Son of a bitch. Thanks HP, as usual, you have been a real pantload. It is indeed a miracle my machine is even as operational as it is. Let's hope these things are cheap enough to replace, and my computer won't melt once I finish replacing the part.
I'm spoilering all this ^. And I think I figured it out. What the hell?!
EDITx4 + EDIT:
Okay, just went on Newegg.com and did their power supply survey. Here's my current output: 250 W, and regarding the parts I have and may plan on adding, here's what PSU wattage they advise I seek: 444 W
...Yeah. Now I am convinced beyond reason; and by miracle, these things are a very decent price, comparable to the graphics card. Thank God I can afford the replacement. However, the shipping costs bite you in the ass.