System requirements

Ok I've attached the dxdiag file for my desktop. Is there anything I need to do to make sure it plays on there?​

 

Drivers Drivers Drivers, and another 1GB or even more of RAM would be good too.
Let's start with drivers for now:

Newest ATI Video driver for your card (Catalyst Legacy 10.2). It's only 5 years newer!

Slightly newer audio driver. Still older then dirt (5 years old).

Intel Driver Update Utility. Run this and see what newer Intel drivers you can download. If that doesn't turn anything up, just start with the newest chipset drivers.

Newer BIOS. May not address issues.

Newest Broadcom Network driver.

Newest Linksys Wireless - N adapter driver.


Now here is the thing about your system... its pretty good. You have a DDR2 capable chipset with PCIe 16X slots... so you may have a hell of a spring board (where you can upgrade a component here and there as you find the money) to really bring this system up to par.

Now, being a Dell system, the BIOS is what will be holding you back (as far as forward CPU compatibility). What I propose is something I have done before with Dell systems, open the unit and figure out the model number of the motherboard. It is most likely an Intel branded motherboard with a model number like D945xxxxx (the x's then being a series of capital letters). If you can figure that out, we can switch the BIOS to a Intel branded BIOS, which will "unlock" additional hardware capabilities. What this means in simple terms, the options in CPU's and RAM you have for upgrading increase dramatically.

Who knows, you might be able to pop in a Core 2 into this system with little trouble, which is seriously exciting to me (cause damn, I wish I had something like this laying around right now! T_T). The biggest thing is, figuring out the the motherboard make and model. It might not even be Intel, but if its green, it likely is an Intel board.

 

I've installed the newer audio driver, but I'm not having much luck with the ATI video driver. It keeps saying the software hasn't passed Windows Logo testing so I shouldn't install it. I'd rather not do anything that risks messing up the system, so I've left it.

I know the system has a tiny amount of RAM, and I'll probably get around to increasing it at some point, but it'll have to do for now I think...​

 

Forcibly install it. Its not big deal if it isn't a signed driver. You stand no chance of playing StarCraft 2 with any other driver but this one.

1GB of ram isn't enough for StarCraft 2.. SC2 really depends 2GB of RAM.

 

OK well I've installed it now so thanks for that.

I read on Blizzard's site that it only needs 1GB of RAM- why do I need more than that on the desktop?​

 

Ah~~ looked at my box. I guess Vista/7 users need 1.5GB, XP should be okay with 1GB. More ram never hurts though.

 

Ok great thanks for all the help and stuff. I hope it works when I finally get it....!

 

Could always try and get a guest pass from someone to try it first?

 

That's a good point, but I've ordered my copy now anyway so ah well!