I'm also running the game on a Gateway pc with no problems at all, but the graphics are not as good, not bad, just not as good. The background processes count is about the same as my HP laptop. Ran a scan on my laptop and there are no viruses, spyware or adware in it. Also ran the dxdiag and this is some of what came up:
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System Information
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Time of this report: 3/21/2008, 11:37:50
Machine name: ALEX-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.071023-1545)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion dv9500 Notebook PC
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5250 @ 1.50GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.5GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 949MB used, 3361MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode
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Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8600M GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0425&SUBSYS_30CC103C&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1008 MB
Dedicated Memory: 241 MB
Shared Memory: 767 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.0011.0123 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 5/1/2007 06:27:00, 4763648 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4765-11CF-F773-C71001C2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0425
SubSys ID: 0x30CC103C
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C