Suddenly freezes/glitches in Create a Sim

[llie]

I recently started playing The Sims 3 again on my PC. I had been playing it previously for about a month without any issues. Now when I go into Create a Sim, I can work with it for about 10 to 15 minutes before it either freezes or glitches and I have to end the game through the task manager.

Everything is updated, as is my system. I even deleted all of my original files including any custom content. I have uninstalled and re-installed. I am running just the base game as well. I did add it to the DEP, cleaned up registry errors and set my AV to game mode. When I run the game, no other applications are running other than what the system requires.

The glitches I experience include the sim turns all one color, clothing and all. Sometimes the clothing turns flesh colored. The mirror in the background becomes fuzzy and distorted. The display screen goes dark as if the images won't load and I can't see or click any of the buttons. These glitches usually happen after a freeze.

Game play works okay but it also tends to freeze after a while of playing.

I would understand that it is my system if I hadn't been playing the game successfully not 2 months ago with 3 expansion packs, a few custom content files and several Sims. I could play for hours and it would work fine with limited to no freezing issues.

Any ideas?

I run windows 7 64 bit
4 gigs RAM
2.6 ghz processor
Intel HD Graphics
And I have a terabyte hard drive I've barely touched.

[Mordant17]

Your problem is that you don't have a real graphics card. You have a integrated graphics card, which is not up to handling the sims. See this (http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Onboard_Graphics) for more information and on how to make it playable, but be aware that playing the sims 3 can damage your computer, which could easily be why the game used to run and doesn't anymore.

I also suggest you read Your computer is like a car (http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Your_Computer_is_Like_a_Car).

[llie]

Ah, that does make sense. I wasn't really sure what the graphics was on it when I bought the PC. I have SOME computer knowledge but I wouldn't call myself tech savvy. I think I assumed that since the card came with its own memory supply and it said HD in it, it had to be better than what I had. What kind of upgrade would you suggest?

[Mordant17]

Take a look at the System Requirements (http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_System_Requirements). Any that are green all the way across are good.

What card your computer can handle will depend on the rest of your computer specs. This (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=330401) thread has some tips about upgrading your graphics card. If you need help picking one out, the computer & tech support (http://www.modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=563) forum is the place to post.

[whiterider]

Anything Intel is never good. Intel graphics means that there is no graphics card, the graphics are handled by the Intel CPU.

[llie]

Thank you! Thank you! My boyfriend is way better at all this and he can definitely help install a new card.

One last question: Will playing less heavy games hurt my computer too? Like can I play The Sims 2 (which is running glitch/freeze free) or Minecraft? Or should I cease all game playing until I get this fixed? I found the list of graphics cards for TS2 but it doesn't list mine. So, I'm not sure.

Thank you so much for all of your help and advice. I've been going crazy for three days trying to figure this out. Should have come here first!