So, I have been playing games for a while and nothing out of the ordinary happens while playing them.

But now just recently, I get this VPU error or something from the ATI catalyst control.

This error pops up everytime I play a game. After a while the game will get this weird box like effect and after a while, the screen goes blue, then gets back into the game, goes blue and does that for a while. Then it quits out of the game and gives me the VPU error.

This is a picture showing off the "box like glitching"



It's the box like black little squares in the picture. And for every game I play, it always shows these boxes.
I have no idea if my graphics card is failing, or if there is a bug/virus or what. (Up in the sky and crane). (For all those gamers out there, it's COD 4).

I would like to have someone help me with this!
Thanks,
Alex

That is the clue. Evidently your unit has been performing excellent with no problems for a long time, and is now starting this. But only after you have been playing for an hour or more.

First, check your unit for dust and garbage buildup. Especially check your CPU heatsink fan for dust buildup in the heatsink fins and the fan itself. Make sure all the vents in the case itself are clear and not clogged with dust, and that all the case fans are clean and spinning up to speed. Next check your video card (I assume you are running a separate video card if you are a gamer). Check the heatsink on the card for dust & garbage, and especially the fan on the card (if you have one) that it is running. Sometimes they fail and you don't know it, or they slow down from wear. If you hear any buzzes from it, it needs replacing.

A quick and dirty check for overheating is to remove the side cover, and put a small fan blowing in on the mainboard. If your problems stop, or even get less, you are overheating. Either way, your case should be cleaned regularly.

sorry it took so long for me to reply, the problem was that the fan on the grpahics card got clobbered full of dust.... burned the fan...

Got a new Nividia Geforce 8600 1GB and it is awesome!

yeah, thanks for the input!