If you run dxdiag (click Start | Run, type in dxdiag and hit Enter), does it report any problems?

Check out the topic below, or search online, for information on doing a clean driver re-install. Hopefully if this problem is due to the graphics drivers, that would fix it.
How to properly uninstall detonators/catalysts

The MB drivers your friend was probably referring to are the chipset drivers. Check MSI's web site and see if they list updated drivers or BIOS under support for that MB.