Computer restarts

[lissy10]

I'm having some trouble with my game. Twice in bodyshop my computer screen has went black and then my computer restarts. It also happened once in during game play in the buy mode. I don't know what the problem could be someone please help me. Thanks in advance!

[simsample]

Sounds like hardware if your computer is restarting. What are the specifications of your computer? Try upgrading your graphics drivers:
http://www.modthesims2.com/article.php?t=146389

[lissy10]

Thanks but that didn't seem to work. It restarted again today.

[julianarosalia]

Does this happen while playing other games or if your computer is on for a long time?

[lissy10]

No only in the Sims the thing is that I never had this problem before I reinstalled it and now this is happening so I was thinking of reinstalling it.

[PhoeniX27J]

Ur probably getting some kind of error...if U want Windos XP to stop restarting...go 2 my computer, rightclick, system properties, advanced, startup and recovery and disable the automatically restarting when an error happens...

[lissy10]

Thanks I'm trying it right now. Hopefully it will work.

[lissy10]

NOTHING WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please help me !!!!

[julianarosalia]

Do you shut down all background task, specifically virus scanners? Those in particular will wreak havoc with your game if they decide to activate while playing (chews up lots of system resources, especially Norton).

[PhoeniX27J]

Does ur PC crash or the game...?

[lissy10]

My computer restarts only when i'm in the sims and body shop. So i'm going to say my crashes and makes my computer restarts.

[PhoeniX27J]

If it's the game that makes ur PC crash and restart then I think U need 2 try 2 do the stuff Simsample says with the Cut and Paste of ur Downloadsfolder with all the custom stuff...

[simsample]

Can you please tell me the specifications of your PC? I specifically would like to know: Processor speed, RAM capacity, Graphics card spec, driver version.
http://www.modthesims2.com/article.php?p=1152989
Also can you tell me what background tasks you have running when you play the game, and also please run some virus and malware scans.

[PhoeniX27J]

It would indeed b nice 2 c what PC's have problem and which don't...

[simsample]

PhoeniX27J, I'm just interested in the specifications of this particular PC- if the specs are below the recommended requirements, this could cause the game problems.

[allysens]

I'm having a similar problem and need help. ny computer restarts only when i try to go into veronaville. i have up to nightlife, and ive had installed since the game came out. it started the day i downloaded some custom content from www.peggysims2.net. it wasn't my first time downloading from them. In fact, all of my custom content comes from there. When it stopped working, I deleted the files I downloaded but it still doesn't work. I don't want to uninstall/reinstall because my computer has a history of creating problems when i reinstall Sims games. They stop working and nothing fixes them. I know its not my Pcs specifiations, because my game was working perfectly, in fact it was faster than ever, the day before it stopped working. Does anyone know what happened/what to do?

[simsample]

allysens, cut and paste your Downloads folder to the desktop and test the game.

[lissy10]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 7/9/2006, 00:34:57
Machine name: YOUR-86339EB2BF
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: PJ562AA-ABA a705w
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.93GHz
Memory: 248MB RAM
Page File: 253MB used, 352MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
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.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
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)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82845G Graphics Controller
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2562&SUBSYS_57781462&REV_03
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: hp vx74 17in. CRT monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4342 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/21/2005 17:04:48, 38016 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 6/21/2005 17:12:34, 807998 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6622-11CF-2467-7277A2C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2562
SubSys ID: 0x57781462
Revision ID: 0x0003
Revision ID: 0x0003
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

I sent this to EA GAMES and they suggested that i download an update graphic and i did that. But i've had the sims in this computer for a long time and never had this problem until last month when i reinstalled it. Do i need to buy some hardware or something?

[simsample]

Your computer specs (specifically the graphics card) are on the 'low end' of the system requirements, but there are plenty of people playing with your graphics chip with no trouble. So therefore I would suggest to reinstall once more, and also clean up your PC by performing a disc cleanup and defragment. Also make sure you get rid of any viruses/ malware too- all this can affect your computer's performance. Before you reinstall make sure that there are no traces of the game left in the registry or program files foldeer, and when you do install make sure you patch the game. Also, do not run any other applications when you run the game.
http://www.modthesims2.com/article.php?t=139059
http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=35914