I have Win7, NVidia GeForce 9600 GT, Intel Pentium Core Duo Processor. The controls to make the characters move, face a direction I want them to go, point the curser where I want it to point without drifting all over the place are not working. Sometimes I can't get the character to move at all, as if they're locked in place. Sometimes the curser floats all over the place instead of directly pointing where I want it. When moving the character, I lose control of direction.

What can I do?

Since your computer has an older video card and is now considered low end, you have to go into the game options and turn down video options as far as they will go. Turn off antialiasing, shadows, and any other "extras."

OK. Will give that a try. Thanks.

It worked for a while and then the game just froze and I couldn't do anything but close it. I went to GOG because they had lots of info about what to do. Nothing worked. Video card? If so, I could use advice on what to purchase. I've always used NVidia, so would prefer that.

We'd need to know the wattage of your power supply in order to suggest anything.

Got this from DxDiag. Does it help?
EVR Power Information
---------------
Current Setting: {5C67A112-A4C9-483F-B4A7-1D473BECAFDC} (Quality)
Quality Flags: 2576
Enabled:
Force throttling
Allow half deinterlace
Allow scaling
Decode Power Usage: 100
Balanced Flags: 1424
Enabled:
Force throttling
Allow batching
Force half deinterlace
Force scaling
Decode Power Usage: 50
PowerFlags: 1424
Enabled:
Force throttling
Allow batching
Force half deinterlace
Force scaling
Decode Power Usage: 0

And this:
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/12/2014, 17:43:51
Machine name: MELIA
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.140706-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: EP45-DS3L
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1909MB used, 2183MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

No... Unless your hubby remembers, you will have to open up the case and see what it says on the power supply. I checked in all your threads at Mystery Manor to see if I could find it, but I didn't see it. I can't remember... is this that old XP computer that you upgraded to 32-bit Windows 7?

Yes it is. I got the list of components to buy from Newegg those many years ago. I forget who helped me at the Manor.
Hubby says it's 650 watts.

I can't remember either. But now that you say it, I do remember you getting one with a pretty heft wattage. In that case, you can get a very nice video card upgrade. I'm pretty sure that's a PCI-e slot on your motherboard too. I look back a bit more at the manor and see if I can find the thread.

That thread is long gone. I remember looking back some time ago.

Yup, you're right. Let's see what Inland or Jenny think about a video card for a 32-bit Windows 7 OS with only 7 GB of RAM.

I'm beginning to doubt it's the card. I went to the Red Thread forum and a LOT of people with better computers than I are having crashing and freezing problems. Trouble is, I can't figure out what to do even after reading the thread. I already installed the patch that was supposed to fix this. Now it doesn't even start up. Getting really annoyed. I sent them an email about the problem. There was a folder that contained crash info that I was told to send to the developer, so I did. Will see what happens.

Good idea... I hope they get it solved for you. One of these time though... you know there will be an adventure game that needs more than what you've got! Start stuffing that sock!

Have been reading the Red Thread forums. Seems that the part I'm stuck in is so detailed that it takes a ton of memory. I have 2 GB of RAM. I need at least 3. I found out that Win 7 can accommodate up to 4 GB RAM. Am debating whether to get the memory stick or, as my husband wants to do and which will cost more and take more time, get a new motherboard and components. I'm for the extra RAM. Cheaper. And it's only one game, for goodness sake!

The DXDIAG you posted says you have 32-bit Windows 7. So, no, you can't accomodate more than a bit over 3 GB of RAM. That's the reason most people get the 64-bit version - it can pretty much use all the RAM you can throw at it. But you are limited to the same amount you had with XP.

It won't be the only one.
Your husband probably has the right idea for the long term -- new components (or a new computer might actually cost less).
The RAM would be a quick fix, and may be responsible for most of your current difficulties. But your computer is still generally low end for a gaming computer and adding the RAM still might not be enough for smooth play.

OK. OK. Christmas list, here I come. :sigh: I could use some help in figuring what components to buy. New motherboard, new NVidia card, extra memory, new processor. Any ideas?

With the RAM limits of your 32-bit Window 7, that's probably the best thing to do. Yes, I know I'm a broken record! Go to ecollegePC and use their configurator to see what one might cost and play around with components. As a gamer, get the most computer and the best video card you can afford. I just ordered another one from them for a guy who only needs a low end computer for $459. A higher end gaming computer will probably push $800 - $900. Their customer service is the best, bar none.

http://www.ecollegepc.com/

So you have two things to think about..
1. Your budget
2. Windows 8.1

If you get a Dell or an HP or any branded computer, it will be Windwos 8.1. To get Windows 7, you will need to have it built or build it yourself.

I love Windows 8.1 and I think Window 10 next spring is going to be even better as they are making even more nods to desktop users. I believe Inland is running the Tech Preview and seeing some things he likes so far. I downloaded it, but have never gotten around to installing it.

I've had 5 people call me for help with a new Windows 8.1 computer. After 45 minutes, every single one decided they loved it too. These were very casual users and weren't interested in all the bells and whistles, just how to use it easily. Windows 8 was a disappointment in many ways for a lot of people, myself included although I did like a lot about it too. 8.1 and then the 8.1 Update after that make it MUCH better.

So, something to think about.

We just got to Win7. Do I have to change it already? I was hoping to just get those components I listed above and keep the rest of what I have.

Are you saying you want to reuse the 32-bit Windows 7? You will be limited to less than 4 GB of RAM then.

If you just want to stay with Windows 7, but get the 64-bit version so you can get 8 GB of RAM, then sure you can. Microsoft will support it until 2020. I put Windows 7 on a couple of computers recently.

The only thing I can see you reusing is that power supply. I don't know what kind of case you have, but if you are going to get a 4th generation Core i5 or Core i7 plus a higher end video card, chances are it's not going to have the cooling you need. Especially if it's an old HP or Dell case. They were just not made for cooling a gaming computer.

The case is an off brand - Mystique. It's extra large and has lots of room inside to add stuff. This computer was a build that we did ourselves. We bought the components that Robert suggested and my husband already had the case, so we used it.

How many fans does it have and what size are they?

I have one fan cooling the CPU, one on the power supply, and one cooling the entire system. Don't know how big. We can't see the numbers without taking them out.

Edit: Just found out my husband has 64-bit win7.

Sorry, I should have been clearer... when I asked how many fans it had, I meant the case. So it essentially has NO cooling fans except for maybe a small exhaust fan. I would be very leery of this case being able to keep a gaming system cool enough even if it is a mid-size case.

If you want to reuse this case for a new computer, you will need to find out if it is possible to add some case fans. Look at the front of the inside of the case, the top and the side. See if there is any way to mount any cooling fans.

I tried to look the case up, but I can't find anything on it.

Do you mean hubby has an EXTRA copy of 64-bit Windows 7? Your DXDIAG says you have 32-bit on the computer now. If you can establish that this case is capable of keeping higher end components cool enough without them being crowded, I'd still just go to eCollegePC and look at the components they have in their gaming systems. At least that's a good start for motherboard, CPU, RAM and video card. Then you can price compare places like Newegg and Tiger Direct.

EDIT: Is this the case? If so, it's not an off brand at all - it's a Cooler Master which is a very good brand. The specs say it has front and rear 120 mm fans which would probably be enough.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119129

The big fan cools the case. It came attached to the case. The other two are for CPU and power supply. Just found out there's a fourth fan that's also a case fan that's died and needs to be replaced. We might just get another case.

Edit: found Mystique at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119129