I've been having an irritating issue on Skyrim recently and wondered if it was a known problem.
Every 15-45 mins the game will freeze for several seconds, then the bottom third of the screen will flicker once, then after a few more seconds of freezing the graphics will mess up completely. I'll see random graphics tesselated across the screen and there is nearly always a lot of flickering. I get back control then, so I can save (all the text in the menus shows up as blocks rather than letters, but I know where the relevant menu options are, and they work when selected. Then to get the graphics back again I quit and restart.
At least I'm not losing any progress by doing this, but it is rather annoying. Any ideas?

Geforce 280m graphics, with 1gb memory
Machine is an I7 2400mhz, with 4gb memory, but running xp, so it can only see 3.2gb

Problem exists between video hardware's heat build up and the driver. Doesn't help you're using a 32bit OS on such hardware either but I don't think that plays too much into this. Open the side panel of your computer and try again, report back when the problem takes much longer to occur, because that's what I'm predicting is going to happen.

Sounds like a laptop PC. Maybe it's the power-saving settings kicking in when the cpu spools up?

This may take longer than you think! I don't believe laptops have side panels.

@ OP Monitor the temps of your CPU & GPU to see if either or both are getting hot. If so, you'll need to open up your lappy and clean the dust out and see if that helps.

How'd I miss the blatant 'm' So yah, this makes it even more likely a component of the GPU isn't getting the cooling it needs to maintain proper operations.

It's easily done, especially when you get to my age!

Thanks for the help! Will do a good de-fluffing tonight and hopefuily the problems will go away

Just wanted to report that after a good de-fluffing I experienced a trouble free night of Skyrim playing (well, apart from that problem with the 3 bears and 2 sabre cats. Hope I gave them food poisoning! )
Motto. A regular defluffing is a good idea. Especially when using a laptop!

--Rakhal

Excellent