Ok, it was bad enough that sof2mp.exe would crash from time to time, and when I exit sof2 my screen is automatically brighter then what it was.

As of late...it is shutting down my system and restarting it.  

I have re-formatted the drive...re installed all the drivers..updated all of them...tried wiser2...you name it, I've done it....i need help badly here...right now the less stressful solution is to run sof2 over with my car.

Ati radeon 9700 pro
p4 2.8
xp home
1 gb ddr 333
via chipset
sb audigy 2

Reboots in win2k/xp = BSOD.

Turn that off to see the error message, and look in event viewer for more info.

Most likely problems is drivers.

1. Heat - check your CPU temperature.

2. Power Supply - What wattage? It may not be enough, or it may be going bad.

3. Memory - Try one stick at a time, try each stick in ever slot. Set the memory timings less aggressive. Try some other sticks of RAM.

4. Hmmm - Check for conflicting IRQs? Use a sledghammer to smash your computer.

5. Uhhh - Drivers.

Here is the error message from event view right before the crash.

this is from the application side:

The COM+ Event System detected a bad return code during its internal processing.  HRESULT was 8007041F from line 44 of d:\nt\com\com1x\src\events\tier1\eventsystemobj.cpp.  Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services to report this error.

This is from the system side:

DCOM got error "The service database is locked. " attempting to start the service ImapiService with arguments "-Service" in order to run the server:
{520CCA63-51A5-11D3-9144-00104BA11C5E}

I turned off auto-reboot on system crash..and all I get is a blue screen and a repeating sound, which I cannot stop.

How hot can the p4 2.8 get before it is a problem.  I have an aftermarket fan that rotates at 6500 rpms.  I have about 4 additional fans on my server tower.  My wattage is at 420..and I've replaced that to see if it was the problem.  Basically I get the feeling that this is a winxp problem...one of which I cannot figure out.  I'm tempted to reformat and install win2k pro...but I don't want that hassle right now.

I've updated everything and just about replaced every part in my computer to see if the error keeps happening...and it i still get the problem.

Your heat should be fine with a 6500rpm fan, though your ears might not be. 420W is fine.

IMAPI is a CD burning service. Try maually disabling it in Services.

Try what I said with the memory, 1GB has a lot of room for failure.

I have already replaced the memory and rechecked for the problem...brand new kingston ddr 333 memory...and no fix.  Those error codes don't include imapi...I checked the imapi service..and it was set to manual....could it really be a service that is causing this problem?

I set the imapi service to disabled...then I tried to play..crash.  I then set to compatibility mode....with text service off...crash.

I'm at a loss here...My computer works great..just not with sof2.  There isn't a tech support number is there...I would be more than happy to pay for this problem to disappear.

Arghh...I really hate this

There is a tech support number. But I have trouble imagining Activision tech support helping much. Also MP support is only handled through email/internet according to Activision.

http://www.activision.com/support/

This is ridiculous...I'm done with sof2...I can't stand playing for 5 minutes then crashing.  All I get is the looping noise..or the system just reboots.  I've replaced everything in my computer..the problem is with this stupid game....thanks ravensoft...way to make a game that requires a forum this large to sort out the bugs you did not fix.

Incredible...I have a $2,500 dollar system and I can't play a 40 dollar game.  Go figure.