buckster03 wrote:going into the cell stage I get a flashing screen (yellow, red, green, purple, etc). If I Ctrl + Alt + Del and select the task manager I can then go back into the game and play the cell stage all the way through.

Windows Vista 64-bit Ultimate SP1

Try disabling Vista's Aero interface, and closing any other app that might be accessing the 3D card. Windows Sidebar for one, anything that MIGHT be 3D. One very stupid app I learned uses the 3D card is AIM 5.1 - if you happen to be using that, completely close it out (check for it in Processes in the Task Manager and knock it out).

Once you've got absolutely nothing accessing the 3D features of the card, start up Spore and see if the situation improves. Just a hunch - I had a problem like this years ago on XP and it was because of 2 applications fighting over the 3D card.

This is an issue with Windows Vista. I had a similar issue with Vista Business Edition, only my screen went to black. Everything in my system is built for gaming so it works for everything else. Luckily I have a dual boot system with XP still installed. I installed it under XP and it works perfectly except for that stupid patch.

If you got XP on another computer, use that one. If not, sorry.

On a side note, you don't have to Control + Alt + Del to get out of Spore. Just hit the windows key. It'll minimize nicely.

I had the same problem - had 2 techs look at it (it also happened with media center). bought an nvidia card and solved all my problems (well, with the blinking screenn that is!)