I got the same F**** prob. Â
I think it's more than likly to be a VIA problem. and not NV drivers.
I have bean reading a lot of forums and there are many people using 98/ME/XP. all having the same problem, Â infinitiv loop/freez/lockups in games and 3DMark2001.
It's not windows : WIN.98/ME/XP all have the same problems.
It's not Nv drivers : i have tryed all recent beta, some officials and old NV drivers and it doesent help.
( plenty reports on buggy beta drivers so  stick whit  the official ones )
It's not OPF : could be but there are to many reports on different systems and other games as well.
So what is it then, I DONT KNOW
But from what i understand, most people use via drivers.
I'm not a Computer wiz so my post  might be wrong but if it can help to pin point where the solution is then i'm happy.
Abit KG7 raid : VIA 4-1 1435 ( AMD northbrige drivers)
Creative GF3 : NV 1290 ( going back to 2185 Â )
SB live      : ME drivers 3.0
Bios        :kg7_5w_2.0.1019
Parden my bad english :-)
I'm spending to mutch time finding solutions  for buggy games and drivers. :-(
Wiz needed ASAP