please please help, new computer frequently crashing with games

Hi, Have come across this site whilst browsing for information on my computer problem and am hoping for some help and assistance.

I recently bought an alienware (3 months ago) to play the total war games and the sims 3. However, to my very VERY great dissappointment and distress, I am having problems with my games (especially shogun 2 total war) crashing. I have 24 pages of windows action centre error logs recorded on a word document.

dxdiag can be provided.

For information purposes I have posted below the last 3 crash reports - see end of thread.

The most persistant crashes by far appear to be the mss32.dll crash, which I have tried a number of methods to resolve, including reinstalling the file. But without knowing exactly what this file does or how it is causing problems, I am at a loss.

Most of the crashes I recieve have the following exception code: c0000005

I am now very desperate in my attempt to get this issue resolved and don't know what else to do. I have already recieved and tested a replacement graphics card but problem still persists.

Current system info (basic)

Windows 7 64 bit home premium
intel i7 3820 3.6ghz
16GB RAM @ 1600mhz
1tb HDD - standard 7200rpm as far as I am aware
currently using onboard sound (realtek HD Audio) as I thought that maybe the problems were caused by my creative soundblaster XFI Titanium - I am hoping to reinstall this card in future
Nvidia 680GTX 2GB graphics card with driver version 306.97 WHQL

All drivers, including BIOS, chipset, graphics and onboard sound are upto date. Creative drivers recently uninstalled for troubleshooting along with card itself.

Have tried sending error reports to windows but no use - no solutions found (as usual).

I am now past the anger stage and am just now totally and utterly frustrated and stressed with the whole thing. I have noticed a similar problem in another thread.

PLEASE can someone help me fix this problem as I have tried everything I can think of - with the exception of having my computer replaced or re-installing windows (last resort).

Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Total War SHOGUN 2\Shogun2.exe
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: Shogun2.exe
Application Version: 1.1.0.0
Application Timestamp: 5048ea5b
Fault Module Name: Shogun2.dll
Fault Module Version: 1.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 506b09ab
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 005fa94d
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 2057
Additional Information 1: ed37
Additional Information 2: ed37e4a08f6027dd68f56d7da5e9efac
Additional Information 3: afa3
Additional Information 4: afa3a84f9e629a360fd6b8b9878848fd
Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: 3197445035

_____________________________________

Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Total War SHOGUN 2\Shogun2.exe
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: Shogun2.exe
Application Version: 1.1.0.0
Application Timestamp: 5048ea5b
Fault Module Name: Shogun2.dll
Fault Module Version: 1.0.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 506b09ab
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 00846eb3
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 2057
Additional Information 1: 9c51
Additional Information 2: 9c5111bbbd71c48d305b2452fb301d31
Additional Information 3: a50b
Additional Information 4: a50b85ffecdc1b72779ad15652f37710

____________________________________

Description
Faulting Application Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Total War SHOGUN 2\Shogun2.exe
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: Shogun2.exe
Application Version: 1.1.0.0
Application Timestamp: 5048ea5b
Fault Module Name: mss32.dll
Fault Module Version: 8.0.3.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 4bf2900c
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 00016eff
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 2057
Additional Information 1: 0a9e
Additional Information 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
Additional Information 3: 0a9e
Additional Information 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID: 3196798021

Didn't work unfortunately.

to the guy who just previously posted that has now gone - Google chrome has malware that causes difficulties with the game - incredibar. Will not be installing. Also, the programme you have posted is third party... I have come across these 3rd party installers that claim to fix errors and instead create a whole load of new ones.

To Arc - After cleansweeping the drivers and reinstalling, I now have new error messages relating to error code 117 video hardware error.

... Ok... someone did post something else, but has now gone.