I have a quad core, thought using only one core would work but it still locks up, also I have an 8800 card, I turned my bloom off and it still locks up.

I had the same problem, and after much internet trawling and scratching of my head, I fixed it. I remembered how I got Mass Effect to run on my PC, and it was by disabling my DVD software. I use power DVD, but it interfered with the game. So i ctrl+alt+del it and closed Pdvd down manually (Also closed down the itunes and ipod programs too, so might have been them instead, although i doubt it). Now there's no more menu/inventory lag and the game is 100x better for it! :grin:

Hope this works for everyone else too!
Quintus

Success
 

Great job Quintus, if i ever meet you i'll buy you a beer:-) just turned off Power DVD and the game runs perfectly. At last i can play.
Thanks again for taking the trouble to post up a solution to this problem its been driving me nuts.

You're quite welcome! Puzzles me as to why DVD software can conflict with certain games to such an extent, but meh :rolleyes:

it's a game copyright protection issue...yay copyright protection ! does nothing to stop pirating but gives us legit purchasers problems & headaches.....YAY oh YAY !!....

pfft...for the love of Pete.....these days, if we want a game to work properly....it's starting to look like we have to get a pirated one...