Can't play for more than 5 minutes syndrome!!!

[cafesito]

I can't play for more than 5 minutes, so i spend half of my time loading my save games.

I have all the latest drivers.
I have :
ati radeon 64 ddr
p3 500
512 mem
more than enough hardrive space and virtual memory
sb live platinum
direct x 8.1
Windows XP Pro.

I notice that i do not have this problem when i start a new game.
I'm "suspecting" that this problem happens when the save game files start to get bigger and bigger. In other words, the game sometimes plays fine until i reach (around) 1700AD, after that is constant crashing every 5 minutes or so.
But honestly i don't what the problem is.
Any one has any idea or suggestion?

 

[cafesito]

ok!!!
from what i have read so far in this forum, what is causing the
CPFMT5MS (can't play for more than 5 minutes syndrome) is one or a combination of the following (so far):

1-Windows Virtual memory
2-Save game files
3-Autosave option
4-Diplomacy screen

I tried the following.
when i load an old game, a save game of around 1800AD, i will be able to play it only for 2 turns at the most. After 1 or 2 turn of the game it will crash/throw me back to my desktop.
But if i start a new game, i will able to play without any problem until i reach 1700AD.

#Closing most of my background programs did not helped.

*Next I'll try to play with autosave off.