Some Tips and Findings with AC2009.
Played on Intel 2.66ghz Dual Core 3gb RAM 256mb nVidia GeForce 8600GT with game settings on max.
Windows XP SP2 no Windows Updates (in fact I switched them off)
Remember!!! pre patch this game runs very poor anyway.
The game does not necessarily crash/freeze just takes different times to load between screens after loading or quitting, be patient, in game it has frozen for me unfortunatly thats the time to hit CTRL ALT DEL.
If you have an nVidia card with a control panel, use the "Let Application decide" setting otherwise it will be jerky and may not run at all.
Defrag your HDD often
If you need to un-install use the Add/Remove programs in Control Panel, I uninstalled via DVD and could'nt repair, remove or reinstall and I got error messages.
I've also had instances after installing windows xp updates of Ashes Cricket needing to close and not being able to reinstall.
If you have the beta patches...use them.
If you are going to play the game and expect smooth running then less than recommended PC specs isn't going to happen, the game pre patch is a very poor runner, Laptops again you will need a high spec gamers machine.
Generally for all its nice touches and better than EA's gameplay and support its a poor runner and seems very fussy - I've actually re-installed EA Sports Cricket 2005, the last decentish cricket game.
Steve S.