Error Message play GTA: III

Here's what it says:

unhandled exception: c0000005
at adress: 005502d3

Then after that, I get the little "This program has preformaned an error... blah blah... would you like to send this to Microsoft..."

In case it helps, here's my layout:

Athlon XP 2600+ @ 1.9ghz
Syntax Mobo KT-400 Chipset
512 MB RAB
GeForceFX 5700
VIA Onboard Sound

What I have done so far: Installed latest Nvidia drivers, downloaded the GTA: III patch, and installed latest version of DirectX. The weird part of it all, is that it doesn't do at any real specific point in time. It can be right as a game is loaded, during a cutscene, or whilist I'm running down the street, or gunning some poor innocent pedestrian down. I'm stumped. I can download more drivers, but I think I have the latest!

 

Have you installed any "aftermarket" patches. Like weapon cheats, costume cheats, etc? There could be a problem with them. I think whats happening, if you do have a "aftermarket" cheat while the game is on, it is attempting to access this file and then it fails and causes the game to crash.

 

No, I don't have any aftermarket patches. I just bought the game, so I didn't even have the time to do it. I have also now upgraded my sound drivers, still the same error.

 

Well, then I don't know what to tell you besides contact Take-2 (Rockstar Games) and tell them about the problem. I experience crashes on my machine with it but for me 1 it's a copy (shhhh - we're not supposed to say that on here) and 2 i have aftermarket patches. But if you just bought it, then there could be a problem elsewhere. What are your machine specs? Do you have to use the CD to run the game, that could also be a problem??