And I spent $40 buying a new expansion. Sucks.

October 19, 2008 8:59 AM

How can I fix my broken computer game? I'm playing the Sims 2, and it hangs during the character creation process. The website's forum advice was essentially that my graphics card was causing the problem and to return my laptop if I could, but I'm surprised. My four year old Toshiba laptop never had this trouble, for all it started giving me dreaded 'Low memory' messages near the end.

I have a brand new Gateway laptop. I have the Sims2, with expansions up to "Free Time". Whenever I finish creating a family it either hangs just when I'm done character creation (and click the checkmark), or during the loading screen after a new family is created.

I'm stressed because the whole reason I could be talked into buying this new laptop is because I was assured that things would run fine (by my boyfriend, who's generally computer savy). I can't tell if this is a broken game, or a bad graphics card. The problem also seems inherent in Sims2 itself (ie it cropped up when just played Sims2 sans expansions, and carried into the expansion packs).

Here's my specs:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/19/2008, 01:29:44
Machine name: LEMON-PC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gateway
System Model: MT6728
BIOS: Rev 1.0
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU T2330 @ 1.60GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
Memory: 2038MB RAM
Page File: 1204MB used, 3112MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A02&SUBSYS_0368107B&REV_03
Display Memory: 358 MB
Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
Shared Memory: 358 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1437 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/11/2008 19:36:08, 3301376 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6942-11CF-5676-6223A2C2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2A02
SubSys ID: 0x0368107B
Revision ID: 0x0003
Revision ID: 0x0003
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeWMV9_B ModeVC1_B

PS. *Sniffle-sniffle-sniff* Waaaah, I got these games 'specially mailed up as my care package from home and now my weekend is ruined. :(

posted by Phalene to computers & internet (11 comments total)

It's not that your graphics card is "bad," but sometimes certain hardware doesn't work with certain software. It's really sad, but it happens. Future patches to the software *might* fix this, but considering Maxis is focusing on making Sims3, probably not.
Also, getting a different copy of the game wouldn't help: it's something inherent to Sims2 that doesn't "play nice" with your graphics hardware, not a "bad disc."

In all likelihood, Sims2 will never work with this laptop. Sorry. :\
On the upside, if it is a new laptop, Sims3 probably will. If you basically got the laptop to play Sims2 and check email, I would look into exchanging it for a slightly different laptop while it's new. Alternatively, can you still use your old laptop for Sims2, and the new laptop for everything else?

I have a similar story: my hot-as-shit gaming laptop happens to have the *one* graphics card/motherboard combination that causes Bioshock to freeze within the first five minutes. It sucks, but at least my other games run well (and I've borrowed a friends' XBOX 360 version to play through).

Also: in defense of your boyfriend, these sorts of hardware/software "App killer" conflicts are really quite rare (and completely random). He wouldn't have any way of knowing about this in advance, even if he's a super-computer-guy.

Hope it works out for you. Sorry to be so bleak.
posted by ®@ at 9:33 AM on October 19, 2008

PS: Oh, but definitely be sure to try patching your game, just in case:
http://thesims2.ea.com/update/
posted by ®@ at 9:37 AM on October 19, 2008

*Sniffs*

I guess. It's not something I can fix from my end, right? It mostly works, except from that one thing. *Sniffles some more*
posted by Phalene at 9:48 AM on October 19, 2008

I've never played the Sims, but when I got a new Vista laptop and stuck some games on it, I found using the "compatibility mode" that is an option in the properties of the programme executable and/or shortcut stopped crashes in games that had worked on worse hardware but with XP. Would that be something you haven't tried yet?
posted by Abiezer at 9:52 AM on October 19, 2008

You may find some help at the TSR forums, its part of a great site.
posted by NoraCharles at 9:59 AM on October 19, 2008

Setting it in "compatibility mode" doesn't seem to make a difference, sadly. But it was a good idea to check that.

I'm surprised at the issues since they're still putting out expansion packs for Sims2, but since I can't afford to buy a new computer, I'm stumped. This is very frustrating... I'm out some $540 (I bought refurbished) and the one thing I needed my laptop to do, which the old one couldn't, this one can't do either.
posted by Phalene at 10:50 AM on October 19, 2008

Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family

This is your problem. Your boyfriend doesnt understand that this is not a gaming chip. You will need to buy a laptop with an nvidia or ATI graphics chip. Pretty much any will work.

You may get lucky by visiting the gateway support page and installing the newest drivers for this video card, but if you are still in the 30 day return period then you should just return it.
posted by damn dirty ape at 11:51 AM on October 19, 2008

Does it happen when just using the standalone Sims Character Cretor tool? (You should be able to access it via the Start Menu links without having to launch the base game at all.)

I'd definitely patch the base game and the Free Time expansion pack. Also, is your copy of the Sims 2 the original Sims 2 or one of the re-releases (Sims 2 Double Deluxe being the latest)?

For all intents and purposes, it does sound like it might be the graphics card.

Unfortunately Vista and laptop compatilibility and support for older titles is along the lines of if it works, great, if it doesn't, we're sorry.
posted by slimepuppy at 12:30 PM on October 19, 2008

SystemRequirementsLab.com offers a free PC game compatibility testing tool, and all of the Sims 2 expansion packs are included on its list. You can run the test on your PC in a few moments and it will let you know exactly where your setup falls short. Depending on what you're lacking, you might be able to make a few minor upgrades and greatly improve your gameplay experience.
posted by Rhaomi at 1:29 PM on October 19, 2008 [1 favorite]

.I'll consider this a lesson in future computer purchases, and see if I can either update the graphics capacity of the laptop cheaply (is it possible and in the $60 range?), or flog the games to try to recoup some of my losses on the cost of the new laptop. Either way, I'm not very impressed with EA or certain persons (that I am otherwise affectionate towards in a romantic sense) and their pretences of computer expertise.

I don't really understand graphics cards, so I'll stop sputtering 'Inconceivable!' in a Vicini fashion and try to stop fretting about the unfixable.
posted by Phalene at 5:10 PM on October 19, 2008

Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU T2330 @ 1.60GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.6GHz

Just for the record, this is also not playing in your favor. Sims 2 has had significant problems running on dual core systems. There's some anecdotal evidence that the Apartment Life expansion may have fixed it somewhat, but it's not certain.
posted by elfgirl at 6:37 PM on October 19, 2008