red flashing walls--- not my graphics card!

[swissybaby]

I just installed pets, I used EA downloader for trhe first time and everything went well untill i went into a hh in my game the walls were flashing on and off red, i went out removed all custom content, still had the issue, i unintalled (all eps and original game) did a clean install and am still having the problem. I read the post by HystericalParoxism that sts
"Many users have reported that walls, floors, and foundations flash red after installing one of the stuff packs (Glamour Life Stuff or Family Fun Stuff). This is due to a difference in system requirements between the stuff packs and normal expansions. The requirements are more precise for the stuff packs, and less graphics cards are supported. If you install one of the stuff packs and you have an unsupported graphics card, you will experience flashing red walls."
HOWEVER, the graphics requirements for Pets are the same as for OFB and I didn't have any problems with that.... what can I do now? and how can I find the exact name of my graphics card? My dad custom built this machine for me for xmas last year and I honestly have no idea whats in it, but a year ago it was all top of the line....
I have Sims2, University, NL, OFB, and now Pets, I don't have any of the "stuff" packs
HELP!!! I want to play Pets!!!!! :cry:

[hurlygurlyxo]

I am also having the same problem. It is driving me nuts! I have had some blue flashing also.

[lauriej]

if you go to run and type in dxdiag under display it will list your graphics card the memory it has and the driver installed for it. u might need to update the graphics.

[hurlygurlyxo]

ok when i open the dxdiag thing what do I do fter that

[swissybaby]

ok my graphics card is VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP which is not on the list but is supposed to be a clone of an Intel card which IS on the list, and its a very good card, and if thats the reason why did OFB work and Pets not working??? The Graphics Req listed for both EPs are EXACTLY THE SAME...

[hurlygurlyxo]

Yea, I also have no stuff packs

[swissybaby]

did you have the cd or did you use ea downloader to get the game?

[hurlygurlyxo]

The cd.

[Canoodle]

Swissbaby...your graphics card is not supported by the games anymore. You will need to upgrade, or uninstall pets. Sorry.

[hurlygurlyxo]

How do you upgrade your card?

[Canoodle]

You need to go to a computer store, or go oneline (www.newegg.com has good prices). Here is the list of supported cards: http://thesims2.ea.com/help/detail.php?help_id=259 The lower end ones are kind of a joke...so make sure you get a decent stand alone card.

[hurlygurlyxo]

I cant get it to work. The odd thing is I have never had a like item pack or w/e All I have is the sims 2 nightlife univ. and pets.

[swissybaby]

<sigh> why would EA have the graphics req be the same from OFB to Pets? Thats what I went by when I did my (non-refundable) download. I think I'm going to go cry now

[hurlygurlyxo]

I am highly upset also.... I dont even have OFB. I have never even downloaded a stuff pack

[simsample]

The S3 cards have not been supported for a while- which is probably the cause of the flashing walls. Most people who have had the red flashing walls seem to have S3 chips.
hurlygurlyxo, it is important that you check whether software is suitable for your computer before you buy it- this goes for all software, not just The Sims2.

[hurlygurlyxo]

I have an S3 but i never thought to check. My dad is going to call tomorow and if it is not built in, get me a new 1

[discordkitty]

If you have a slot for a graphics card (get him to ask what slots are on the motherboard when he calls) you can still get a new card, even if your graphics chip is onboard.

[hurlygurlyxo]

OK Thanks a million :)

[meowcho]

I'm having the same problem, although it started a few weeks before I installed EP4. I don't have any stuff packs either. Does anyone know if ATI Radeon 9250s are supported? It seems like they would be, since 9200s are but I can't find any specific information about it...

[AngelFrouk]

System requirements for Pets. (http://thesims2.ea.com/help/detail.php?help_id=259)

[meowcho]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I am familiar with the system requirements already. It does not list the card I have specifically, nor does it say it isn't compatable. Does anyone else have the Radeon 9250 and know if that could be a problem?

[Pixelhate]

sad reality ! the more you buy exp packs the more you'll have to buy new computer the more you buy new computer the more they'll make exp packs that requieres newer computer etc.

[AnnieBonnie]

Same here...Oh, I just can't stand the red flashing walls. And its JUST the walls and foundation.... :cry: :( I'll try to update the drive, maybe it helps....?

[Kaylancia]

Thanks I'v just got wait a little longer to get it fixed.But as soon as it is i'll probly crie tears of joy,because the red flashy walls are driving me crazy.

[AngelFrouk]

Thanks I'v just got wait a little longer to get it fixed.But as soon as it is i'll probly crie tears of joy,because the red flashy walls are driving me crazy.
If your graphicscard isn't supported anymore, it won't get fixed unles you buy a new (supported) card.

[simsample]

If your card is on the supported list and you are still having problems, then restore your config scripts- problems of this nature could possibly be caused by incorrectly installed mods such as lighting or wall mods. If in doubt try a reinstall (backup user files first).

[sim0h0licfreak]

Hey everyone!
I have had the sims 2 for about a year now, and when the sims 2 pets came out I wuz first down to the shop to buy it. I installed it, everything was going well, unitl I created a cat. The walls were flashing red uncontrolably. I thought it was a new feature, (Although extremley irritating!) but when I went to make a house, all my walls and foundations etc were red. On live mode they flashed red! I have a VIA/S3G Unichrome Pro IGP and it has 64.0 MB. The system requirements are to ahve more than 30, and I have 64.0! does anyone know why my walls are still flashing? :cry:

[StarboardParoxysm]

sim0h0licfreak, that's due to your unsupported graphics card, and is a pretty common issue with that particular model: http://www.modthesims2.com/article.php?t=191799

System requirements are not just minimum mb for your card - you also need a supported card. That low-powered, unsupported one simply won't work. If you want to play Pets you'll need to purchase and install a supported graphics card.

[heckyesitsbecca]

are you serious? I have the same card as sim0h0licfreak. I simply can't afford to buy a new card.

This is ridiculous. =(

[AngelFrouk]

are you serious? I have the same card as sim0h0licfreak. I simply can't afford to buy a new card.

This is ridiculous. =(
Than you can't play Pets until you do have the money for a new card. With almost every new EP the system requirements are updated. You really need to check those before you buy any new EP.

[simsample]

are you serious? I have the same card as sim0h0licfreak. I simply can't afford to buy a new card.

This is ridiculous. =(

Why is it ridiculous? I would consider buying a game for which your computer does not meet the requirements as being ridiculous.

[falloutgirl1491]

i'm haveing the same problems with my walls, but i don'tunderstand anything your trying to say to help them. can you say it it laymens terms. thanks

[G.O.C.]

What all the "mods" here are trying to tell you is that if your "Graphics card" is NOT on the list of "Supported" cards, you will have to buy one that is or don't play the game.

[falloutgirl1491]

whats is my "graphics card"? Where do i find i new one? And how much will it cost?

[simsample]

The graphics chip is the part of the computer that handles the on screen display- it shows on screen what your computer is calculating (ie, your sims!). The game requires a fairly good graphics chip to be capable of making the game work- if your chip is not powerful enough the game will malfunction, or not work at all. You can buy a graphics card from any computer retailers or a number of companies online; however you need to get the right one for your computer as different computers have different parts. So the best thing to do is either ask someone who can advise you, or to take your computer to a hardware shop and ask the technicians to upgrade it for you. If you show them the list of supported cards and also tell them how much you want to spend they should be able to give you some choices.
http://thesims2.ea.com/help/detail.php?help_id=259
It is very important that, before you buy any software/ games for your computer that you have the right equipment. Most software has the requirements written on the box or available to read on a website. Buying a game that is not suitable for your computer is a bit like buying an engine for a Porsche and expecting it to work in your Ford.