I've tried everything and it still crashes everywhere!

[edejan]

I've played Sims for years. Had original Sims on my desktoop computer. When Pets came out for Sims2 I decided to finally switch and bought a laptop specifically and only for Sims2, September last year. I took my specs to the store and was directed to the laptop I have which I was told was somewhat lacking in the graphics but could be upgraded if needed. Since found out it's an integrated chip set so can't be upgraded BUT..

I played without problems until about a moth ago. I had installed Sims 2, all the EPs, all the stuff packs and the patches. It seemed problems began to be really bad after the last patch. (About a month ago) I started to have crashing randomly in game. The problem accellerated until the game was crashing very frequently after only a few minutes and almost everytime I played.

I read the forums and help guides religiously and have done everything I found which was suggested. Within the last week or so I have:

-scanned downloads folder with the Sims2 content manager and removed furniture which had global hacks which were the only kind I found, no improvement
-removed my downloads folder to the desktop - no improvement
-returned my downloads folder to game - no worse, no improvement
-reset my neighborhoods to original specs - no improvement
-discarded my original neighborhoods and downloads folder from the desktop to recycle bin and permanently removed them. These are families I created and played for GENERATIONS and they are gone - boohoo...

-played the new neighborhoods with no custom content, no improvement
-built houses also with only maxi's content since I don't like the in game housing. The game started crashing continuously, every five minutes or so, in build mode which it had never done before.
-downloaded only maxi's recolors and organized them stringently, game continued to be less and less playable
-removed the downloads folder to the desktop again, no improvement and the game was crashing constantly, I mean every 2 or 3 minutes, during play
-downloaded clean installer and searched all download files and found not one hack and only about ten duplicate folders
-again removed downloads folder, no improvement

-called HP and upgraded video drivers
-called EA and they only told me to disable background tasks which I had been doing and they put me into windows mode which reverted when I reinstalled the games

-Uninstalled all games and reinstalled them except for glamour life because I lost the code key for that. Requested code key from Ea since all my games had been registered but I haven't received it yet, don't know if I will.
-reinstalled all patches, except the last Pets, thinking that might have been the problem.
-game got worse, now crashing in build/buy mode, in gameplay and in CAS which it never did before.
-reinstalled pets patch.
-uninstalled Clean Installer since it was no longer in default.
-reinstalled Clean Installer, still not in default mode.

This morning I installed Norton antivirus in addition to all the security stuff we have with our service provider. No viruses, worms, were found. It seemed marginally better for a while. I thought maybe Norton had screwed up my computer when I uninstalled the trial version which came with the computer. But the game is still crashing.

Read about laptops not being optimal for game, but it crashes when I first turn on the computer, i.e., the computer is not "overheated", as well as anytime I turn on the game. It does not give any error messages only suddenly goes to black screen and I have to restart my computer. My memory and RAM are more than adequate I think and as for the video aspects, I keep everything at the minimum level, lighting, no reflections, no shadows, etc.

I have repeatedly defragged and "cleaned up" the computer files - even though the computer says it's not needed any everything is OK. I have tested my components under computer properties, etc., everything is working as it should. I have updated everything else from the HP site. My computer NEVER crashed under any other conditions. I can surf ModtheSime2 for hours and other sites and NEVER have a problem. It's ONLY in the game!!!

I have checked my disks, especially the Pets since that's the one I play off and they are in excellent condition. I am at my wit's end. I'm disabled and a dedicated Simsaholic and was looking forward to the new EP. I spend a LOT of time with the game since I cannot work. Is there any direction you can give me. My original files do not seem to be corrupted since I reinstalled with no improvement and the problem has been getting worse.

I'm sorry for the length of this but I wanted you to know what I have done to avoid only the advice I have gotten at the official site: remove downloads folder. Thanks to anyone who can help me!!

[Gnostic Dreamer]

Exactly what are the specs on your 'puter?

[edejan]

OK, keep in mind I'm a computer dummy so here's what I think you mean:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build2600)
HP Pavilion Dv5000 (EZ398UA#ABA)
Bios Ver 1.00Parttbl
Processor: Genuine Intel(R) CPU Processor T2300 @ 1.66Ghz (2 CPUs)
1526 Mb of RAM
355 used 3065 available
DirectX 9.0c
Display:
Mobile Intel (R) 945 Express GM Chipset Family
Chip Type Intel(R) GMA 950
Approx Total Memory 128.0 MB
1280x800 32bit 60 hrz

Is this right or anything else?

Thanks!!

[Luvs]

Your specs are fine..

Did you by chance try running the game on a different computer..

It would be one way to determine if it's the game itself ..or if there is some internal problem in your computer..

Just reading what you've tried..it really sounds like you may have some kind of memory issue..where you're memory is dropping the game. TS2 uses a lot of memory to run..and if it can't get the memory, it can crash & you'll lose all your virtual memory on the computer causing it to shut down.

I was having a similar issue, not quite as drastic, but close, and was constantly losing memory. Though you have more then enough to run the game, if it's bad, it might cause this kind of problem.

I fixed mine by replacing & upgrading to 2gb of memory. I no longer am having any issues with the game.

I don't know if this helps, but it's the first thing that came to mind after reading your post.

[edejan]

Thanks, that makes sense. I'll see if I can try it on my husband's computer, tho' his is pretty loaded up with his stuff. I appreciate the input. It's the first "non-program" response I've received.

[edejan]

Well, I loaded the games on my husband's computer and it's basically the same, a HP Pavilion media center. No problems whatsoever. I played for quite a while in both CAS, build and buy mode and play mode and no crashes. So you may be on to something!! My computer's new, only six months, but maybe the memory got damaged somehow. I'm calling Best Buy tomorrow and see if we can upgrade/repair. Thanks for the input. I'll let you know if we can afford it and it it helps. It'll be so great to play again!!

[edejan]

Well, update. The Geek squad at Best Buy said they could replace and upgrade my memory for $300. Husband NOT happy but could be done. But in the conversation, the Geek said Sims2 will never run on a laptop. So called the store we bought the computer at where we asked specifically for a "Sims only" computer. They said it would run on a laptop and sent us to HP and for $70 I bought 45 minutes of their geek's time. He basically disabled the background tasks as indicated in the Sims manual which I do myself manually all the time. So...no improvement - game still crashes. So maybe it's back to Best Buy. Thanks again for your input.

[Luvs]

Um..my experience has been that Best Buys Geek Squad..are..well, let's just say, less then adequate and way overpriced.

See if you can send you're laptop back to the manufacture under warranty for an overhaul, and to check the memory. I have over 41 background tasks running at all times & they are not affecting my game play at all.

Your laptop is fine for the game, my bf's laptop has virtually all the same specs & it runs fine on his. He runs over 65 background tasks..with no issues.

There is a fault in your computer, this is a manufactures problem.

Please let me know how you make out.
Luvs :)

[edejan]

You know, thanks for your specific and personal advice. Everything else I have gotten has been so "by the book." I'm sending my computer in to HP today thanks to your advice!! It's still under warranty and after that I'll upgrade the RAM. Thanks again!!

[Luvs]

I'm glad I could help.

You also might discover you won't need new ram once they fix whatever is happening..or that they replaced it for you.

Good Luck!!
:)

[edejan]

Just to close out this thread, I took my laptop into an HP authorized dealer for them to send it into HP but they actually "took a look" at it and 5 1/2 hours later they returned it to me. They ran all kinds of diagnostics and added all kinds of security ware. I'm not quite sure what they found since they had closed 1 1/2 hours before we left and they were in a rush but the "tech" said something about a Trojan and everything else was OK. I've cautiously played it for the last day and a half with absolutely no problems. I still want to add RAM tho'. I think it's a good idea since I now plan on buying the new EP. Thanks again for your help and support. This site rocks!!!