Lag after 3 minutes of play in game *and* CAW

[SIMplistigal]

I finally purchased and installed Generations, started playing it, really didn't have any significant problems, and thought, 'what a smooth transition this has been! How different from the normal ep!' I should have known. 2 days after I started playing, the new game I'd started as a test for this ep started to lag, precisely 3 minutes after I had loaded it up, every time. Any movement, by the sims or my mouse is jumpy, and it makes the game completely unplayable since I can't even scroll smoothly.

At first I didn't want to deal with it and thought I'd just go play with CAW for a bit until I was ready to tackle the issue. 3 minutes after I loaded CAW, though, I got the same lag.

So I checked the game requirements and my computer's stats. My comp reads practically like your example on the FAQ:

OS: Windows xp
processor: Intel core 2 duo E8400 3.0 gHz
RAM: 2 gig
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT
I have all ep's through Generations, no Pets, no sp's.

I'm in the habit of clearing caches, etc, but ran the game again making doubly sure they were out, with no results.

I moved out all the custom content, again with no results.

So I uninstalled Generations and reinstalled it. Then I stayed out of the game itself, paranoid that I hadn't really resolved the problem and really just wanting to do CAW. And it was working fine for several days. But testing must be done at some point...and 2 days after the first of my tests, the lag started up again. I ran into a secondary problem in testing, which Simsample has been helping me with, and as a part of that tried completely removing the sims 3 file to desktop so the game would create an entirely new one. So currently, it's running completely vanilla, and it's still lagging. I even tried reducing all the graphics to as low as they could go (talk about UGLY!!), but no dice. What haven't I tried? Or is my computer mysteriously just not able to handle Generations, even though it doesn't require anything different from the other eps?

[ellacharmed]

What patch were you at before installing Generations?
And, if not 1.26 then or now, what patch are you on now?

[SIMplistigal]

I was and am on patch 1.24. Not having Pets yet, and seeing the issues 1.26 has caused to cc, I'm not too eager to move up just yet.

I noticed however that some of my other ep versions may be earlier than the latest patched versions available (per some threads I read)...I'm at 2.0 for WA, 4.0 for Amb, 6.0 for LN, and 8.0 for Gen. I'm not sure how, or if it's even neccessary to patch those up...?

Since my first post, I've done a complete uninstall and reinstall of everything, going by the manual instructions posted here on mts. The first time I loaded the game up, I moved in a random bin family, and the game was lagging immediately. The second time I loaded it, with another random bin family, I got distracted mid-load, and had to pause for quite a while. I don't know if that helped or not, but when I was finally able to return to it, I was able to play for at least half an hour (saved and quit at that point without having encountered any lag). I haven't had a chance to play again since, and haven't reinstalled CAW yet.

[ellacharmed]

General - Post System Specs
We need more information before we can help with your issue.
Please post a Quick summary of your System Specs
Instructions on finding them are here: Game Help:System Specs.
Please Do NOT post your complete DxDiag report in your thread.


Immediate lagging in a new, vanilla game? Which world? And no leftover bits of old CC using the "old" way?
Can you use ProcMon to see what .package is being read at that time? Guide in Game_Help:Package_File_Lag#Process_Monitor_.28Windows.29

You can update the addon packs using the "Archived" links, and you need to use CAW that is compatible with 1.24 ie 1.11.12

[SIMplistigal]

Ok, system specs:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 11/18/2011, 10:15:34
Machine name: TANDYSPC
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: EP43-UD3L
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 743MB used, 3195MB 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

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9400 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0641&SUBSYS_095B19F1&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0012.5896 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/10/2010 04:38:00, 6343040 bytes

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0888&SUBSYS_1458A002&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5672 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 7/24/2008 04:02:44, 4749824 bytes

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 212.4 GB
Total Space: 305.2 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST3320613AS

Drive: D:
Model: TOSHIBA DVD-ROM SD-M1212

Yes, completely new vanilla. I created a new game in Sunset Valley right after the install, using the Williams binned family. It seemed to load a little slow (about 2-3 minutes), then when it opened, within that first minute or 2 everything had started lagging.

The irritating part is that I very carefully did the exact same thing this time around while trying to test with procmon on, and nothing out of the ordinary happened... I dunno, maybe it was a first-load glitch, or maybe it'll come back to haunt me in a couple more days...

All my cc--package and sims3pack--are out in folders on my desktop right now, taken from my mods and downloads folders in Documents. I followed the old-to-new cc instructions back when the new way was first available...the one thing I neglected to do was uninstall helper monkey, which I have now done. Unless cc is truely that tenacious, though, I don't think any that might have still been lurking in program files would have survived the uninstall...

I couldn't get process monitor to work. Every time I tested the game with it running, the summary page came back blank. I'm not the most computer savvy by a long shot...but I can at least follow directions, and those seemed fairly clear in the guide. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, unless it's the names of the processes themselves--that's the only place where I wasn't sure of the instructions. Am I supposed to find the exe names in that pull down list, or type them in? I typed them when I couldn't find them. And am I only supposed to filter for the latest ep I have, or for all of them? I saved and loaded a filter that should have included all of them, and it shows me nothing at all.

I did see those archived links, so thank you, I just wasn't sure if they were needed in addition to the 1.24. I'll go get them. I have the 1.24 compatible exe for CAW ready and waiting on my desktop as well. I'm just waiting this time to make sure the game is alright first.

[ellacharmed]

1. Graphic drivers is outdated. Go to Nvidia site and download latest drivers for your card, for your OS. http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Find.aspx?lang=en-us

2. Update DirectX (http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8109).

3. Pets really require higher requirements than EA has advertised (I wish EA would update that darn thing!). Core2Dup CPU + 2GB Ram, with a card that has mixed labels in the SysReq page (see my signature) does not really bode well for the good gameplay performance. Are you still playing at default settings in Options?

4. Type the exe in, if it is not there. TS3W.exe is newer than when the filter was created, so you need to input that yourself. Then make sure you use this to start the game instead of using the Launcher. Game Help:TS3 Bypassing the Launcher

[SIMplistigal]

1 & 2: done and done. Thank you!

3: I kinda figured that...Much as I am pining to finally have pets again with my sims, I've prettymuch decided I would need a new computer first. *sadness* :( Most of my settings are default. Changing the graphics settings, as I mentioned before, didn't do anything. I've turned off memory notification and the store option, and changed sim age-lengths, but that's about it.

4: thanks, procmon worked for me this time. I tested it first in CAW...couldn't stay out for long, apparently...I LOVE creating worlds, what can I say? :) Anywho, lag started 9 minutes after it opened, instead of the previous 3 (testing was done after doing your 1 & 2 steps, dunno if that affected it or not). I got the same result when I then tested in game twice: 9 minutes after I clicked the exe. file to start, lag began. I'm attaching screenshots of 2 summaries, sorted by total. I don't know what 'fullbuild' is, but that's right near the top, and isn't mentioned in the instructions...I also noticed in the full events lists that somewhere around the time the lag started, there was a 'sharing violation.' There were 2 for the game, very close to each other, only 1 for CAW. I don't know if that's normal or not, and I copied the info about them if you want it.

Thanks so much for this help. I would be totally lost otherwise...

[ellacharmed]

How defragmented is the HDD drive? Have you done regular housekeeping to keep the drive clean so it performs at optimal levels?
Windows updates, virus scans, clearing Recycle Bin, Temp folders, defrag the drive at least once every 6 months or so at the very least. Some defrag on a weekly (light) and monthly (deep defrag) schedule with different criteria. http://ask-leo.com/how_often_should_i_defragment_my_hard_disk.html
See http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/maintenance/speed.aspx ... probably lots of guides on this on the web (search "How do I maintain my hard drive").

Did you switch or add new programs when these lags started happening?
Is Antivirus running when you're playing? Some AV/security programs constantly try to scan opened files and thus contribute to the lag.
What programs do you use?

[Cobra_Vorhees]

Isn't there a tool that can combine those package files, to increase load times and that sort? That would probably help load times. At first, I'm thinking the lag could be caused by overheating of the graphics card, and ella's idea of defragmented hard drives can be another plus to the lag. You should start off by checking your system temps and defragging your hard drive as stated. Wishing you luck.

[SIMplistigal]

Hi, sorry I haven't been on for a few days. Been busy with real life stuff like Thanksgiving, etc.

Ellacharm3d, I defragged early on when this issue hit, but I completely forgot to mention that, sorry! My hubby's a tech guy, so he's pretty careful and knowledgeable about making sure the computer stays clean elsewise.
I changed internet browsers (went to firefox since internet explorer no longer updates for XP) about a month before this started (i.e., long before I got Gen, and I was playing no problem then), but as far as I can remember, I haven't added or switched anything else since then, except of course, the Gen EP. I use spybot. I tested with and without it running in the background, and it didn't make a difference. The only thing that ever pops up when I check for issues is Right Media--can't seem to completely rid myself of that no matter what browser settings I do.

Cobra, I have merged my cc packages together, but currently they're not in use, as my game is running vanilla. That issue may simply be RAM-- XP technically gives me enough, but in reality, it doesn't allow me nearly as much as newer MS systems do, so it's going to go a little slower... You may be right about the overheating, but unfortunately I have no way to test the temperature of the card.

I decided to run a fairly lengthy (and frankly, annoying) test to see if there were other patterns. There were: 9 minutes into the game (starting from initial load of game, not beginning of active play), the lag occurs, goes on for about a minute, then all is well again for 3 minutes. After this, the pattern of 1 minute lag, 3 minutes fine continues to repeat. No thank you. :P It really does seem to act like a graphics issue, but like I said before...changing the graphics options didn't change the lag...

Maybe a stupid question, but is it possible that Gen and CAW are somehow interfering with each other, despite being on the same patch version?

[ellacharmed]

Sims 3 - Freezes and Lags
If you encounter any freezes or lags in gameplay, try the suggestions in Game Help:Intermittent Freezes.
If issue persists, please also answer the questionnaire in the Intermittent Freeze Sticky (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=425027)


So, that freeze and lagging symptoms sounds like the above common issue.

Do having the recommended mods in an otherwise vanilla config reduce the Intermittent freeze and lagginess? ie just have those mods and nothing else, other than the 2 included test files, of course.

Ultimately, it may be hardware constraint - the RAM amount. Starting from Ambitions, having 4GB is the minimum recommended.

Some stubborn and wily malware need more than one tool. :) I use different malware/spyware tools (Malwarebytes & AdvancedSystemCare Free) but only one AV.
- http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f112/solved-right-media-416011.html
- http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=30247

[SIMplistigal]

Agreed, it does sound more like that now. It's just very irritating and disappointing that absolutely nothing seems to work to fix it (having only AM and MC and Overwatch did nothing as well). The hardware is about the only thing left to blame, which makes perfect sense, but...well, I won't bother with a fruitless rant at EA and their many flaws.

We seem to have exhausted the possibilities at this point, but thank you for sticking with me and troubleshooting. I guess all I can do now is uninstall Gen and wait for a new computer....blaaah...