I'm at a loss

[lugia61617]

Sorry if this is the wrong section, firstly, but I can't pin point what kind of problem to call this.

so after months of playing another simulator (Trainz), I decided to give Sims 2 another shot. unfortunately when I boot up, any neighbourhood I go to, it loads partially, then the music stops. If I minimise the Sims 2 a pop up appears saying it's crashed and will terminate. I am so fed up. I've looked around the net and found millions of different reasons, but half of them are impossible for me.

E.G: Space = Impossible (got hundreds of GB on)
Overheating = Impossible (all fan holes not covered and computer only ust booted up)
Custom Content = impossible (haven't got any).

I've tried so much and don't know what to do. If it's the first time running there cant be custom content whatsoever. by the way I don't know my PC specifications, other than the fact I run Vista.

also this happened once before - when I first installed vista. But I can't recall what happened to fix it.

[StarboardParoxysm]

Game Help:System Specs - Please post up your system specs for us.

Also make sure you fully patch your game, and go through the rest of the recommendations here: Game Help:Game Problem

[lugia61617]

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.100218-0019)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 530s
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 3326MB RAM
Page File: 1299MB used, 5582MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 10

Card name: ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x94C1)
Display Memory: 1651 MB
Dedicated Memory: 244 MB
Shared Memory: 1407 MB

Driver Name: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.cap,atitmmxx.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.0532 (English)
DDI Version: 10
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/14/2007 21:50:46, 3071488 bytes

Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5555 (English)

Drive: C:
Free Space: 282.1 GB
Total Space: 466.6 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST3500620AS ATA Device

Drive: D:
Free Space: 5.9 GB
Total Space: 10.2 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST3500620AS ATA Device

Drive: E:
Model: Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-7200S ATA Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/21/2008 03:23:02, 67072 bytes

Also, I've tried all patches and they ALL say my game is up to date. I think that's because my game is the Sims 2 Double Deluxe. Anyway, now I've followed ALL advice on the place you sent me to, and itn still persists. I don't get whats wrong. Should I try uninstalling Double Deluxe and using the long method of using the normal sims 2 and adding each EP from there?

[lugia61617]

dagnabbit. even tried uninstalling deluxw and instaling the 4 disc version...

[callistra]

Reinstall like this:
1) backup your saved games from My Docs by renaming the The Sims 2 folder there, or by cutting/pasting the whole folder to your desktop.
2) Uninstall every expansion and the base game through Add/Remove Programs
3) Restart your computer
4) Manually delete Sims 2 related EA Games folder in Program Files (if you have other EA Games games like Spore etc then make sure you don't delete them too).
5) Install just the base game, patch and test play. If that works then you install one expansion at a time the same way.. install patch test until you figure out which expansion is causing the problems.
6) If you get all the way through installing you can try adding back cc and or your user files.


Does it at least work with just the patched base game + all new game and user files? Where does it stop working?

I also can't help but notice that both your operating system and drivers are really out of date. I suggest installing these:
http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonaiw_vista32.aspx?type=2.4.1&product=2.4.1.3.1&lang=us&rev=10.6&ostype=Windows%20Vista%20-%2032-Bit%20Edition
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R198359&SystemID=INSP_DSKTP_D530S&servicetag=&os=WLH&osl=en&deviceid=19892&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=1&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=0&libid=27&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=274390
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R198473&SystemID=INSP_DSKTP_D530S&servicetag=&os=WLH&osl=en&deviceid=19894&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=1&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=0&libid=3&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=274556


Then restart your computer and run Windows Update to get Service Pack 2 and the rest of the OS updates.

[lugia61617]

It's just the patched base game now, and there aren't aany non-pre created content items, sims or neighbourhoods. IT stops working on custom neighbourrhoods after the third column, and premade neighbourhoods after it just finished the columns. So I'm supposed to download this stuff? right. Also, when you say my OS is OoD, I hope you aren't suggesting upgrading to Windows 7, I don't want to,

[lugia61617]

great now my IE is messing up. I think you wrecked my PC!!!

[lugia61617]

kphew...it was a false alarm. I think I'll leave this to an expert...

[callistra]

If your game will not work at all even with brand new user files and game files then the problem is with your computer, unless you missed a step in there.

Installing ATI and Dell provided drivers, as well as using Windows Update to install operating system updates is not bad for your computer.. and it will not cause IE to mess up. It sounds like your computer needs a lot more help than I initially thought. If you don't feel comfortable getting help on the forums then I do suggest taking it to a professional before things get worse.

[lugia61617]

ok, i think there was just a lgitch caused in the download, but yeah, Ill seek a pro... thanks anyway

[lugia61617]

EDIT: Oh thank you so much for suggesting windows updates! I had aboutn18 important ones and now for the first time I got INTO pleasantview! if this keeps up I can add the EPs