wow, that's about as much feedback as anyone could stomach!
ok, here's the answers to the feedback...
a) i am using xp pro, same on secondary computer
b) i am using an antec neo HE 550watt psu, and yes, the 6pin pci-e is plugged in
c) i run the game at a resolution of 1680 x 1050, which is native for a 20 inch wide.
d) it doesn't seem to happen very much in other games, only in this one
e) i play the game with about 9 vs 9 bots, no more than 10 a side
f) i have no idea what the C++ error is, i was hoping someone else here would know. it only happened when i disabled AA and AF settings.
g) i have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the game a lot.
i think based on all your questions i have found out what the problem is. i should have known this from the start and i'm not entirely sure that this is it, but it MUST play some part towards it...
basically i have an official copy of cs:s bought off steam. my gf, however, doesn't. so i have a different version of the game installed at the SAME TIME as the online version, and just keep it for when i'm playing with the mrs. offline. she uses that same offline version, because we aren't able to lan with one online version and one offline version...the versions don't match up.
i have 2 desktop shortcuts for the game, one for 'online' and one for 'offline'. when i hit the offline one, that's what i get, the offline version. when i hit the shortcut for the online one though, and try to join an ONLINE game, it says that my version doesn't match with anything. i HAVE to run the online version THROUGH steam, otherwise i can't join any online games for that. i guess that's another problem solved right there.
PHEW!!! i might try to uninstall the offline version and just run the online version for a bit, see how it goes. there might be some sort of conflict with the multiple installations. it's definitely a chance. i will let you know the results later this evening.
thanks again for all the replies..much appreciated.