Screen flicker while playing ET

Question

I built a new computer about a week ago, and everything seemed to be running fine.  Then a dude in my clan told me to update the drivers for the graphics card and said he noticed there was a bios release that was availble for my mobo, and stupid me listened tohim and its been downhill from there.
Windows functions completely normally, as do games such as Call of Duty.  However, the primary game I play (wolfenstein enemy territory) is really acting strangely.  While playing, there will be polygonal flashes across my screen randomly.  Its only affecting ET.
I'm pretty sure my processor is not overheatin and i'm completley sure my graphics card is not everheating.  My cpu idles at around 32 and at load has been running at about 42 since i cleaned up my lame initial attempt at wiring my case.
problem exists with version 1.9 and 2.0 of the MSI bios.  I've tried using version 4.x of the new ATI catylyst drivers, as well as reverting back to the generally accepted good drivers of ver 3.10.  I've also tried switching the AGP from 8x to 4x and back again, all with no effect on ET.  I've also reinstalled ET from a completely clean directory, so its not the installation.
my post on sapphire's forums (in case anyone's interested)
http://www.sapphiretech.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3343
specs
3.0 GHz P4 w/ 800mhz FSB
MSI 865PE Neo2 mobo
1 gig of ram
sapphire 9800 pro
would appreciate any help on this.   It doesn't really affect preformance, but its about the most annoyin thing i've seen a game do in a long time.

Answer 1

now thats a real tough one then... did that game actually work before you updated the BIOS? hard to believe, since BIOS updates usually dont f*** with compatibility of games.
why dont you just flash back your BIOS to the version you were using when the game was running problem free? and if that doesnt work, just live with it... there are many other great games out there.  
i think helping you would be alot easier if that game havent worked at all, but since you played it on that rig without problems i cant think of any reasons why it shouldnt work anymore just because of an updated BIOS. formating your disk is probably the only thing left to do.
Quote
Call of Duty plays fine with either driver, but still no luck with ET. I wish i could take a screenshot of the vertex flashes, but all screenshots i take appear to be completely normal.
uh, now THATS strange... maybe you're drunk? j/k buddy