Flickering Ceiling

[scampy1]

Just recently I loaded the game(today) and when I was adding paintings I had the view so I can see the ceiling everyone so often the ceiling would flicker black and red squares. It would only last a second at the most. It's never happened before it just happened today.

Here are my specs:

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System Information
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Time of this report: 1/1/2010, 14:45:10
Machine name: HOME12
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: GBT___
System Model: NVDAACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6000+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 852MB used, 3089MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
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DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

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

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Display Devices
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Card name: Radeon X1600/X1650 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x71C2)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_71C2&SUBSYS_01701043&REV_00
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: BenQ FP72E (Analog)
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6727 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)

I am thinking of getting a new radeon graphics card in the next month or two. I have two bills to pay before I can get the graphics card.

Could it be the new patch for the game?

[callistra]

Well that could be graphics card related, but have you tried playing without any cc or user files? http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game%20Help:Sims%203%20Crashing

We can also try updating some drivers:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/radeonaiw_xp.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.9&lang=English
You will need to restart your computer after install the driver.

If that doesn't work, I would like to check temps.. so let me know and then I tell you exactly how and what I would like to use for that.

If you still decide to upgrade, just make sure you check the power requirements before installing a new graphics card. The current card you have is really old and won't pull nearly as much power as current cards. There are a ton of new Nvidia and ATI cards coming in the next couple of months, so when you're actually ready to buy a card, feel free to post a new thread in the computer forum. Myself, or another mod, can help you out then.

[scampy1]

I don't have any cc except store bought content and the recolors I have done with create-a-style. I also have no mods. But I will follow the steps in the crashing link you provided.

When I do the upgrade I have a very trustworthy computer guy that comes to your house. I will get him to do all the work. But I will make sure I will ask him about the power supply. I cleaned the fans 2 months ago but I will check them again. I only trust ati now because every nvidia card that I have had just doesn't work for me. Ati only seems to like my computer. The odd thing is this is the first graphical issue I have had. Thanks for your help!

[callistra]

Choosing an ATI card is your choice, and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that.. but just so you understand your bias against Nvidia is simply that. Computers don't favor one brand over the other and Nvidia is not inferior to ATI or have more failure rates. The staff on this forum use both ATI and Nvidia cards without problems to run Sims 1, 2 and 3. Personally, I've had 3 Nvidia and 2 ATI cards and all have served me well.

I don't know if you have had a really bad run of luck or someone isn't cleaning up drivers right before installing new cards, but if it were me I wouldn't base my choice on one particular brand. My suggestion for an upgrade to you would change depending on your budget. For example, at $50 I would suggest the GT 220 because the comparable ATI cards are actually more expensive right now. At ~$100 (or a bit under) I would suggest the Nvidia GT 240, as ATI does not currently have anything at anywhere near $100 that can compete with the card. At between $100-$150 at this time I'd go with an ATI 5700 series card. Both manufacturers are planning to release a lot of new cards within the next few weeks up to 3 months, so that all may change quickly.

[scampy1]

I suppose I could give the nvidia a try but I would scream if something went wrong with it. I live in Australia. I don't know what power supply costs are but I think I have a 500 watt supply at the moment in my computer. I'd rather not spend more then $400AUS all up on both power supply and graphics card. That would take me around a month to save up. All I can say is that this graphics card has done it job. I think it was installed around 3 yrs ago.

I think I know what I am going to do is get a new card. Thanks for your help. I will post this question about graphics cards on the right forum. Thanks again!