they say "Vista cannot *install* with over 3gb RAM, reduce to 2gig
Good job this Vista box was only 3Gb, I would have had to remove bits then....
But hey, they said the 8600GT had problems with Vista drivers and mine hasn't so what do I know
PS. Just remembered something from earlier regarding the gfx card, keygrip. As you were installing Vista and it dumped itself, then you wouldn't have gotten as far as getting the new drivers so that would never have been the issue. And, as a side note to EVERYONE using Winders of any kind, DO NOT install any driver updates from Windows Update! THAT is a very well known issue, always get drivers from the manufacturers site only.