fps help

Ok. I've been having some problems with my frame rate in cs 1.6 and cs:source.

First off, i'll list my setup. I just got it about 2 weeks ago

HP Pavilion dv9000
1.83ghz core 2 duo
4 gb RAM
Vista Premium 64-bit
512mb Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS

First issue. I go into Nvidia control panel, and under "wait for vertical sync" I set it to "force off" because i find that this can really help my fps. Well, i did this and a few days later it went back to "let the 3d application decide". I put it back to "force off", hit apply, and a few days later it changes again. Today I put it to force off and just a few hours later its already back to the 3d application decide. And yes i check after i exit out by going back into the nvidia control panel and it is still on force off just like i set it. How do i make it permanently apply my settings? I hit apply and they change, so why do the settings change back?

Second thing, i setup all my graphics options on the nvidia control panel and the game, and all is good i'm playing 1.6 with max fps the whole time. One day my fps drops down from my constant 99fps to jumping around in the 50s and 60s. I check the control panel and turn vertical sync off. Goes right back to 99fps. This happens again, i go to check and vertical sync is still off. So this time i dont know why it is performing crappily. I do a source video stress test and get 48fps instead of my normal 95fps that i make. Does anyone have any idea what could affect my performance like this? I'm not running any other programs and my battery/performance settings are all on high performance when i do this.

Thank you for the help i will try to clarify if you need me to.

Btw my computer skill is probably beginner/moderate so nothing extremely fancy if you can help it.

 

try opening the graphics options in administrator mode.. else, uninstall your nvidia drivers completely, and install again..
(use driver cleaner)

1. download or get the new drivers ready (or the ones u want)
2. uninstall the ones u have right now
3. unplug the internet
4. restart the pc (windows will now install a standard vga)
5. install your drivers
6. reinstall again
7. plug in internet
8. post here

 

also try updating your graphics drivers

 

if my laptop was hot would it affect performance?

i mean i dont think it was overheating and considering i did the stress test 4 times in a row i would think the last one would be hottest even though it was the best performance.......

 

No but if it was overheating then it will thermally downclock or shutoff so you dont damage the hardware