desktop flashbacks

i posted this in the tech help forum and it was suggested that i repost it here.
any advice?

pertinent system specs: asus a7v + duron 700 (not oc'ed) + 128mb pc133 cas2 + 52x cdrom

i just installed an asus 7100 mx + 32mb sdram vidcard on irq 11 - no sharing
all vid operators are set to defaults now
desktop screen res is 1024x768 true color @ 85hz
agp 4x enabled / side band off

asus agp v5.33a driver installed
vga reference bios release 3.11.00.04 installed
vesa vbe v3.00 installed
detonator3d beta release 6.47 driver installed (it's 2.64 mb for chrissakes!!!!)
directx7 build 716 driver installed
via 4 in 1 version 4.18 driver service pack installed (can't find release 4.25a either)

now here's my problem:
after i launch an engagement scenario from the game "jane's fleet command" from cdrom
and especially when i'm opening up a can of whoop *** on various enemy fleets
my computer dumps the game and flashes back to my desktop - always - no exceptions

this happens even if i set all the game operators to defaults
or to minimums - like 640x480 res 16 bit hicolor @ 60hz

former vidcard was a vodoo 3 and i never had this kind of problem with it

what's going on?
any suggestions for a fix?
i'm stumped, because all above bios/drivers are known for their stablity
(except maybe the 6.47 beta - you think?)

thanks for any input.

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phantom ... out.

someone suggested boosting my virtual memory to 20mb
did that - problem persists
i'm loading the 4.25a via driver packet tonight
maybe this will cure my vidbo blues

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phantom ... out.

the new via packet cured this problem
only now this game locks up occasionally
and forces me into a hot reboot
go figure

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phantom ... out.

oh yeah
turning off 3d sound helped, too

(it's fun posting to myself)

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phantom ... out.