I've updated my graphics drivers, looked at several posts that address this, but to no avail.
The game runs fine but I only see a whisper of flame when there should be much more.
Clairvoyance trail does not show up but there's a blue ball in my hand.
Other missing graphics?

Any fixes?

Go to your Skyrim/Skyrimprefs (Forgot which one) and look for the imaxdesired line. Tell me what number it is at.

[Particles]
iMaxDesired=750

I haven't encountered this personally, but I read where one person solved this by turning down their anisotropic filtering. Perhaps start with that -- minimize all of your graphics settings to see if the problem goes away, and if so, then incrementally increase the settings back to a desired level.

I set my graphics to lowest possible settings, with no effect. Also just remembered invisible spider webs.

Well, shootski... sorry that didn't help. Do you have your CCC app settings set to their default values (application controlled)?

If all else fails, maybe investigate this to see if it will resolve the effects issue you're encountering:

http://enbdev.com/index_en.html

I haven't used it myself though, so I recommend doing some research first.


EDIT: For more background too:
http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1257882-patch-1-unofficial-bugfix/

I see this also.. and can fix it , and remain playing.....let me explain.

Saw this (missing flames) during my 19 hour run of Skyrim. (straight run) this is GPU memory related.

At about 11 hours running the EXE. my GPU started getting warmer, and Filling up the GPU mem. All I have to do when this appears is ALT/TAB, in doing so the GPU clears about 200 meg RAM and the fire returns.

First hour of Skyrim..GPU usage 70-80% Temp 60c MEM used 700 MEG Fan RPM=30%
@ around 8 hours running...GPU usage starts to stay peged at 100% Temp = 68-70c, 900-1000 RAM 40 % Fan RPM

@ 19.5 hours....
GPU usage=100% - TEMP= 75 c, - MEM =1000-1024+244 System RAM - Fan RPM = 55%

Between the 8 hour and the 19th hour is when i was seeing this. Always fixed with an ALT/TAB. Even my flame spell was about 2 inches instead of 75 feet...lol

Your Video card only has 512 meg Ram. Just don't think your getting the Full effect.

I get this when I alt tab a few times. Its actually pretty cool for the flames spell. The air shows heat distortion and sparks and the target then bursts into flame. I like it better than the vanilla effects, looks better shooting heat, not some unknown magic combustible.

^{I'm going to keep looking, but I have an alternate path. Any ideas on a graphics card under $200.
I've got over 150hrs logged in Skyrim. I'm not going back without a creation kit and full graphics.}

odd suggestion: for less than $100 in total, you could buy 2 4850s. Look up the performance info with these things in crossfire...its astounding. And they are real workhorses...great value for money for DX9 games. Do a google search on performance numbers of these in crossfire...you'll be stunned. I wouldn't build a new computer with them, but if your mobo can do it may be a good budget option.

Nvidia GeForce EVGA 9800 GT 1GB-DDR3 $74 online.
http://www.aztekcomputers.com/RVCG981024GXXBPBR-PNY-2140067.html
(Ouch, after Skyrim came-out, they jumped up from $60 to $120 and $90! Those punks!)

Axle3D GeForce GT 440 2GB DDR3 $112 shipped
http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=221691297&sellerid=19015909

ASUS ENGTX550 TI DC/DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 $129
http://www.chiefvalue.com/product/productdetails.aspx?submit=&item=CE00161176010060