Google Earth problems

[hartley]

Hi,

I recently downloaded Google Earth but am having some problems in using it. The programme will run fine for a while and I'll spend half an hour virtually wandering the streets of Mumbai or finding traffic jams at the Mexican border then it will suddenly crash and dump me on a blue screen with a load of computer-speak that I don't understand (memory dumps, BIOS updates etc).

I'm forced to turn off the laptop and restart. When I do this the Microsoft Error report thing directs me to the website of the manufacturer of my graphics card (ati.com). It is not at all clear what I need to solve this crashing problem, I suspect I need some sort of update. The graphics card is, apparently, an ATI Mobility. I would love there to be a button on their website saying 'Click here to solve your Google Earth problem' but there ain't.

Can any of you wonderful people shed any light on this problem and/or advise me on what to do. I have always considered myself a rational chap but have started screaming obscenities at the screen when it crashes. I fear for my mental health if I can't sort it out!

Thank you in anticipation.

P.S.

I'll say at this point that I am fine turning on my PC, using MS Office and installing the odd bit of software but am pretty clueless when it comes to updating drivers and the like (will I have to pay for an update?). I get a bit scared that I'll download some horrific virus that will melt my laptop before my eyes.

[BUTTERBAN]

Im not a computer whizz, when the pc resorts to the blue screen it usually mean that there is a certain componant that is either broken or not working properly.
In your case its possibly your graffix card, maybe its not powerfull enough or just not working properly.

Hope this helps.

[Tritan]

Hartley: going on the information you have provided, it does sound like a graphics card issue.

For a start, download and install the latest correct drivers for your graphics card. Dont worry about viruses etc. so long as you download the driver from a reputable source - namely Microsoft or direct from the graphics card manufacturers website (in your case, ATI)

All in all, i dont think your PC is stuggling too badly. It simply sounds as though Google World requires a stronger graphics card then the one you have installed at present. Installing a new driver will not necessarily help the system run Google World and prevent a crash.

[fo3nix]

how much RAM does it have? (it'll be 256, or something like that)...

sounds to me as though its a little underpowered for running google earth (its can be pretty graphics intensive)

[curiosity]

Have you tried the post on Chatterbank discussing this download? someone might know.