TS2 seems to be uncompatible with Windows 7?; Question about patches [SOLVED]

[DJ.]

Hi all! I got my laptop (well, a while ago) and just now I've started reinstalling TS2 games on it. Yay, I'm so excited!! But,

I installed base game and University expansion pack. I tried to turn on the game, to see how fast it goes (because I had a really slow computer - this is like speed of light to me!). But when I launched it, the message appeared, "This software has been known to be uncompatible with this version of Windows." I got an option to choose to carry on anyway or find a solution online. I chose the first one, and the game runs awesomely. No problem at all. (OK, maybe except if I try to minimize the game - then it won't minimize at all, it just acts like I've minimized it and immediately restored it back again.)

I didn't patch the game yet (neither of them). Could that be a problem or what?

Like I'm saying, there is No Problem with the game running on my computer. But I received the message, and maybe it does mean something, I guess.

Thanks in advance!

~DJ.

[HystericalParoxysm]

You need to patch the game to remove that message. TS2 base game needs a patch to work correctly with W7.

We can't know whether it'll work well on your new computer without the full specs. Game Help:System Specs - there's a little template on that page you can fill in. It'll probably be much better on your new computer though, as it sounds like it's a better system, but can't know for sure without the full specs. :)

[Peni Griffin]

I found, when I had to install the game on a new hard drive recently, that installing one part of the game, patching it, and then playtesting it was by far the most efficient way to go about things. That way, if you do get a bad install (I was trusting the game to build its own folders, and it wasn't) it's apparent almost at once and you don't have to spend so much time figuring out where the problem lies.

[MattShizzle]

You can also right click on the Sims2 icon and "troubleshoot compatability." Then you can run it in Windows XP mode.

[DJ.]

HP, yes, I knew TS2 needs to be patched. Maybe with a patch I'll experience new things with the game, since I've never patched any The Sims 2 games I have. And I have them *a huge number*. :)

Also, about system specs... okay, I'll do these... but I don't think they're representing a problem here. :) (Okay, maybe the processor I'm not satisfied with - although it is Intel Core i5, it only has around 2.4GHz (and I desperately want 3.0GHz - but this is okay also!).) I'll post them later. ;)

Peni Griffin - finally, I'm not alone! I do like that - always. I've had a very turbulent history with my computers. None of them were designed for gaming, and they were all made around '90s and the newest one is maybe around 2004. So, installing that much of software on it at once and then running it would cause it to explode. Literally. Also, it's been awhile since I've last played Nightlife only and other only configurations (or up to ones). And, as you said, it's useful if you want to prevent problems from happening in the first place without having to uninstall everything. :up:

MattShizzle, I know, I'm an idiot. When I was buying my OS, I significantly ordered those store people a version of Windows 7 that has an option to run an application in compatibility mode. Because I have a lot of applications that were designed for Windows XP - and weren't with Windows 7. That's why I have Professional. - Anyway, I completely forgot about that option. Thanks for reminding me! :)


Also, everyone, patching. Let's say I have that crappy computer back (because I'm sure on this one patches are a bargain; and also, those were ways that I was aligning myself to/with). Do patches additionaly strain the computer (like TS3 ones, because with problem fixing, they bring up some additional stuff into the game)? If yes, how much?

Aand, are there multiple versions of them - if there are, should I go to the official site and download the newest one, or here on MTS there are recommended (tested) ones?

Thanks all!

~DJ.

[DJ.]

Alright, here are my system specs:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/2/2012, 20:02:11
Machine name: HPPAVILIONG
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120330-1504)
Language: Croatian (Regional Setting: Croatian)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP Pavilion g6 Notebook PC
BIOS: InsydeH2O Version 03.61.01F.63
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2450M CPU @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6092MB RAM
Page File: 2394MB used, 9787MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0126&SUBSYS_166C103C&REV_09
Display Memory: 3860 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1070 MB
Shared Memory: 2789 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: SEC4251
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (60.031Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: igdumd64.dll,igd10umd64.dll,igd10umd64.dll,igdumdx32,igd10umd32,igd10umd32
Driver File Version: 8.15.0010.2476 (English)
Driver Version: 8.882.2.0
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/9/2011 08:32:00, 8311808 bytes

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Zvučnici i slušalice (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_7605&SUBSYS_103C1670&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.6365.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 9/8/2011 05:42:28, 535040 bytes

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 46.5 GB
Total Space: 102.4 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HTS547575A9E384

Drive: D:
Free Space: 583.3 GB
Total Space: 611.8 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HTS547575A9E384

Drive: E:
Model: hp CDDVDW SN-208BB
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (Croatian), , 0 bytes


HEY, BACK TO ME! I just realized this: the wrong graphics card is showing up!! :blink:
In the store, it said "ATI RADEON HD 7450". Why does it say here "Intel HD Graphics"?

[Mootilda]

You may have to disable the built-in Intel HD Graphics.

[MattShizzle]

Integrated graphics cards are crap and I don't know why computer manufacturers use them. They don't work with a lot of games and Sims 2 doesn't work well with them - Body shop doesn't work at all with them with the base game. My 2004 computer worked fine with the one it came with but the one I got in 2009 and the one in late 2011 despite having a 1 TB drive had a crappo integrated card and had lots of graphics problems with sims2, didn't work with BS and didn't work with some other games until I installed a graphics card. Intel integrated are terrible and should be avoided if you can find a computer that doesn't use them or at least buy a separate graphics card - though some computer makers for some retarded reason make it very difficult to open the case/add cards.

[joandsarah77]

Sims 2 patches are different to Sims 3 patches. Not sure what you mean about them being a bargain, they are free. Each EP and most SP's has one patch. I think M&G is the only one to not be patched. When I install I do so in order, putting on each patch as I go. You can download and save the patches from the exchange to a folder, that way you will always have them.

[Peni Griffin]

You really, really want the patches. You know how when you used to play Seasons, if you tried to use the Ottomases Peter wasn't the father of the twins and strange glitches started afflicting your neighborhood? Fixed in patches - the Ottomases will be completely safe to play. They don't add any strain to the machine and they solve a lot of problems.

[DJ.]

Thank you so much guys! You have no idea how much you helped me around here! :)

Mootilda, yes, right now I'm searching Win7 forums about how to turn the card off. ;)

MattShizzle - all I got to say is - you're the man! :) Yes, I do agree with you that graphics chips are just a cheap piece of crap. I'm very lucky that I had a very strong one on my old computer, since I've been running The Sims 2 on it for over two years now (even though on extremely low settings, textures would get blurry over time). I think people build computers with those chips because not everyone plays games. Ya know, some people use computers just for "turn on, check e-mail, write an essay, turn off." (But then again, it is kind of a strain just surfing the web with it. Especially the explicit content, khm khm.)

joandsarah77 - by a bargain, I meant that TS2 patches on a strong computer like mine (yes, I'm totally not showing off right now...) do not represent any problem related to performance of the game. TS3 patches, on the other hand, do strain your computer just like you've installed a new stuff pack (because, let's face it, you get a lot of objects from all the EPs released so far in a patch). Also, I'm referring to this (http://modthesims.info/showpost.php?p=3685098&postcount=4). And yes, I'll do your method too - the "install and EP -> apply a patch -> test -> go all over again." :)

Peni Griffin - OK, I really, really want patches! :) Yes, I remember that glitch with the Ottomas Family. Someone opened a thread here on MTS about it, and I immediately went off on The Sims Wiki to read all about it (I'm just that kind of person - I like to examine all sorts of interesting glitches). I don't play Ottomas Family, nor I have Riverblossom Hills in my game (I've deleted every neighborhood except Pleasantview to save disk space - another habit of mine). But yes, I know you're gonna say that it's not just the family. :) It's a lot more. A LOT more. Oh, EAxis...


SO, TO SUM UP, I'm going to disable my integrated graphics (and set the main to be ATI Radeon HD 7450). Also, I'm going to download all the patches and apply them.

Thank you all. :gjob:

~DJ. :luff: