Q&A: My computer’s ATI Video Card “deadlocks” occasionally. How can I resolve this problem?

Question by Sp()oNg3Y::V.3.[]: My computer’s ATI Video Card “deadlocks” occasionally. How can I resolve this problem?
My new ATI video card seems to be working strangely. When I play The Sims 2, on one occasion, my video card will not respond (or deadlock) and prompts me to restart the computer. But, when I saw my desktop (after The Sims 2 was closed) the graphics and resolution was still the same.

Occasionally, the computer shuts down without prompt and permission when I play The Sims 2.

Could it have been too high graphical settings of The Sims 2? Or a hardware failure? Please help me resolve this problem, it bites back my The Sims 2 Movie Making business.

Thank you.
Oh yes. Forgot to add details

ATI Raedeon 8800 Excalibur
256 MB
I have 1.5 GB of RAM on my PC
I always make the quality of The Sims 2 to be VERY HIGH, since I have this high end PC.

Best answer:

Answer by Jim R
First thing to do would be update your video drivers. If that doesn’t work head over to www.techguy.org and post a thread there.

Give your answer to this question below!