TheSims2, StrangeGraphical Errors and, A GeForce7600Gs

Maybe somebody can help me out, give me a little advice or send me in the right direction. For quite some time now I've been trying to get rid of a problem with my graphics that has been occuring when I play The Sims2. Sometimes there are "Holes" in the faces of the characters. Sometimes I'll see the sim's skins peeling away from the mesh, With the "peel" just hanging there or sticking out. I've also seen sections of objects missing, or stretched, over large distances. My son's game Guild Wars has not shown to have any issues. My very first thought was that the problem lied with the custom content so that was all removed. The game was even uninstalled and reinstalled, and I still experienced problems with it. The spinning logo in the Nvidia control panel has the graphic glitches randomly as well.
Problems persist using updated drivers as well as the originals. The Old drivers were removed before installing new ones. For the last couple of months I've been experiencing the issue with the graphics, but I've had my graphics card for MAYBE about a year now. While searching for solutions for the problem I learned my computer had a few other problems, such as my system32 folder was hidden, commands such as regedit would not work in the run box. A virus or malware was suspected. I ended up, after first trying to do a repair install of Windows XP, starting all over with a clean install. The clean install fixed the other problems I had stumbled across but not the issue with the graphics, not that I expected it to.
The GeForce7600GS requires a 350watt power supply. I have a 500watt power supply. The Graphics card may be running hot, the tower can generate quite a bit of heat. As I write this the GPU core is at 138F. I remember seeing it at 141F while playing my game, Guild Wars slightly less at 136F. I've used a vacuum to get the dust (it didn't seem to be very bad at all) out from inside the case with no results. I really want to pull the card out and clean the connectors with rubbing alcohol, but I still need to give that one a try. I read turning down the clocking on the graphics card could help, someone else suggested that it wouldn't really take care of the problem maybe only get around it. I haven't quite learned how to do that yet. I really believe the Temps are probably too high. I know there are some different types of fans that can be used to help cool things off. Is this the route I should take? If so any suggestions on a type of cooling fan? Does somebody think maybe the problem is something else...any thoughts or suggestions?


==System==

Operating System: microsoft windowsxp home
Processor: Intel pentium 4cpu 1800mhz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 314MB used, 2147MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c

==Display==

Name: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GeForce 7600 GS
Approx. Total Memory: 512.0 MB
Main Driver: nv4_disp.dll
Version: 6.14.0011.7519 (English)
==Sound==

Name: SB Live! Wave Device

 

I play sims2 as well and a lot of times the problem is in the meshes of the items. The best site to go on that deals strictly with sims2 problems whether it be graphic,sound,downloads,or anything else related to sims is mod the sims2. They have a great site which addresses alot of the problems that occur with sims2. I had a lamp that kept exploding and it was the mesh that was the culprit. Good luck. Oh, they also have a forum there as well.

 

clicked the button twice sorry

 

I play sims2 as well and a lot of times the problem is in the meshes of the items. The best site to go on that deals strictly with sims2 problems whether it be graphic,sound,downloads,or anything else related to sims is mod the sims2. They have a great site which addresses alot of the problems that occur with sims2. I had a lamp that kept exploding and it was the mesh that was the culprit. Good luck. Oh, they also have a forum there as well. here is the linkhttp://www.modthesims2.com/

 

Yes I am aware of MTS2, to which I am a member. I had a thread there on this matter but because it was determined that this was definitely NOT a game issue Callistra locked the thread and referred me to the Sims2 Community site (a partner of MTS2). I was told MTS2 only deals with game issues and I definitely have a little something else going on. If this was a problem caused by meshes it wouldn't have affected my game running without custom content. The default meshes from the game wouldn't cause the things I've been experiencing. Plus the Sims2 game would not affect the revolving logo on the Nvidia control panel. I saw screen shots of this same exact thing happening to someone else on an entirely different game at the forums over at Nvidia. That problem was supposedly cleared by under clocking a graphics card....something I want to look into. I'm pretty sure I either need to adjust the clocking or get some cooling fans. I'm just not sure if my temps are Too hot. Plus I wanna know if under clocking is beneficial in any other way then just lowering the temps. (I know over clocking is said to make a card run hotter) If not, I guess that would mean cooling it down would be the overall goal. I may end up going over to The Sims2 Community. But there seems to be enough knowedgable folks right here, so I'm gonna try my luck here for now. Thanks for your response, Sher

-Bill