Sims 2 Problem Solving Part Deux - 02/24/05 05:29 AM
This thread is for all Sims 2 Problems that involve getting the game to work.
If you wish to post in this thread then you MUST read the following information. Any person who does not read this information and posts for help will be utterly and totally ignored.....unless you decide to give the people who help money in return for their services.
If you know what kind of computer you have (how much memory, HD space, video card, processor, etc) then post these if you can.
If you do not then AFTER you have read the below information then you should use DXDIAG to discover your video card information.
To report your processor information then:
Go to Start
Go to Run
Type in MSINFO32
Click on System Summary
Right-Click System Summary
Go to Save as Text File
Save the file and post the results to this forum.
The Sims 2 Video Card Problems
Video cards supported with the Sims 2
ATI Radeon Series (7000 or better)
- Radeon 7000/VE Series (no Hardware T&L, 2.0 GHz Processor needed)
- 7200, 7500
- 8500, All-In-Wonder 8500
- 9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800
- X300, X600, X800
Nvidia Quadro Series
- Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4
Nvidia GeForce Series (GeForce 2 or better)
- GeForce2
- GeForce3, 3 Ti
- GeForce4, 4Ti, MX 420, 440
- GeForce FX 5200, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
- GeForce 6600, 6800
Intel Extreme Graphics (no Hardware T&L, 2.0 GHz Processor needed)
- 82845, 82865, 82915
Users of the Intel Extreme Graphics series or the Radeon VE series will need a 2Ghz processor as these cards don't support T&L.
List of unsupported video cards
ATI Rage Fury
Matrox Millennium G400
Matrox Millennium G550
NVIDIA Riva TNT2
Matrox Parhelia
ST Micro KYRO
S3 DeltaChrome S8
SiS 315
Trident Blade XP
SiS Xabre 400
XGI Volari
Go to these places for the latest drivers for your video card or motherboard:
Asus: www.asus.com
ATI = www.ati.com
Creative Labs: www.creative.com
Guillemot: www.guillemot.com
Hercules: www.hercules.com
Intel = www.intel.com
Matrox = www.matrox.com
Nvidia = www.nvidia.com
MicroStar: www.msi.com.tw
PNY: www.pny.com
PowerVR = www.powervr.com
S3 = www.s3graphics.com
Sapphire: www.sapphiretech.com
or whoever manufacturers your computer download the latest video card and motherboard drivers.
To check what kind of video card you have:
Click "Start"
Go to "Run"
Type in "DXDIAG"
Go to the "Display" Tab
Note "Name" and "Manufacturer"
Error: "Failed to find any Direct X 9.0c compatible grapics adapters in this system! Please make sure you have Direct X 9.0c compatible graphics adapter and have installed the latest drivers provided by the manufacturer. The application will now terminate."
1. Click Start->Run, in the open box write "dxdiag", without quotes.
Go to the Display tab.
Check DDI version. If less than 9 then you may need a new graphics card that supports DirectX 9.0C.
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-02.html
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html
2.Set the display to 16-bit color. To make this change, follow these steps:
a. Click on the Start menu and select Settings, Control Panel, and then double-click on Display.
If using Microsoft Windows* XP: Click on the Start menu and select Control Panel, "Switch to Classic View" if the category view is shown, and then double-click on Display.
b. Select the Settings tab.
c. Change the Color Quality (Color Depth) to 16-bit color.
3. Run the game with the -w switch which forces the game to run in a window. To add this switch, follow these steps:
a. Right-click on the The Sims 2 game and left-click on Properties. You can do this either on the game's shortcut on the desktop or on the game's entry in the Start menu.
b. Add a space and -w to the end of the Target field, so that it looks like this:
"C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2\TSBin\Sims2.exe" -w
Note: The actual path may vary depending on where the game was installed. Make sure that the -w goes outside the quotation marks and that there is a space between the last quotation mark and the -w.
c. Click OK.
4. Windows may not have Hardware Acceleration enabled.
Click on Start.
Click on Run...
Type dxdiag into the box.
Click OK.
Click on the Display tab.
Find the DirectX Features box.
The first feature is DirectDraw Acceleration. It should say Enabled next to it. If it says Disabled, click the Enable button.
The second feature is Direct3D Acceleration. It should say Enabled next to it. If it says Disabled, click the Enable button.
The third feature is AGP Texture Acceleration. It should say Enabled next to it. If it says Disabled, click the Enable button.
Once all three are enabled, close the window.
You may also need to do the following:
Windows 9x:
Click Start, select Settings and choose Control Panel.
Double-click the System icon. The System Properties will open.
Click the Performance tab.
Click the Graphics button. The Advanced Graphics Settings window will appear.
Locate the hardware acceleration adjustment bar. (It will show the words None and Full at each end.)
Move it to Full.
For the new setting to take effect, click OK and restart the computer when prompted.
Launch and use the program.
Windows XP/2000:
Close programs and all windows and return to the desktop.
Right-click a blank area on the desktop and left-click Properties from the menu that appears. The Display Properties will open.
Click the Settings tab.
Click the Advanced button.
Click the Troubleshoot tab. A window will open with the display adapter type identified on the title bar.
Locate the hardware acceleration adjustment bar. (It will show the words None and Full at each end.)
Move it to Full
For the new setting to take effect, click Apply and then click OK.
Click OK again to close the Display Properties window.
Launch and use the program.
NOTE: If the issue remains, repeat the above procedure and move the hardware acceleration slide bar to the left one additional position. (Do not select the NONE setting, which is the setting to the far left.)
5. You may have a corrupted install of DirectX
On the Sims 2 CD/DVD in the DirectX Folder.
Copy the dsetup.dll to:
\Windows\System for Windows 9x
or
\Windows\System32 for Windows XP. (WINNT for 2000)
Try reinstalling DirectX from the Sims 2 CD/DVD if this does not work.
If the DirectX install errors out then try copying the DirectX folder to your computer and installing DirectX from there.
6. Q: Why does the game crash at 'Blurring Reality Lines' in the loading screen?
A: This is usually caused by an error with your video card. First, verify that your video card is compatible with The Sims 2. You need (at minimum) a T&L-capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM.
7. Sims 2 may hav problems with odd refresh rates. Try forcing your display to 60hz. Also disable or uninstall any refresh rate changing programs.
The Sims 2 CD/DVD Problems
Error: "CD/DVD emulation software has been detected. Please disable all CD/DVD emulation software and re start the game"
1. Uninstall virtual drive software. (CloneCD/Alcohol/Daemon Tools)
You may also have to delete the registry keys for these programs manually.
2. Patches needed to fix CD/DVD problems:
For Windows 9x - Install the latest DCOM
http://www.microsoft.com/com/dcom/dcom98/download.asp
For Windows XP - Install the Safedisc Patch
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=35831
For Windows 2000 - Install the Safedisc Patch
http://www.macrovision.com/products/safedisc/downloads.shtml
3. Turn on/off DMA mode on your CD/DVD player.
Windows 9x
1. right mouse click on My Computer and click properties
2. change to the tab "Device Manager"
3. open the device manager and navigate to your DVD/CD-ROM
and click on the "+"
4. right mouse click on your DVD/CD-ROM and choose properties
5. check if you have DMA Transfer Mode (or something like that)
checked and if so uncheck it!
6. click ok and then start the pc new
Windows XP:
1. click on "Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Hardware ->
Device Manager"
2. open the Device Manager and navigate to the entry "ide Controller"
3. right mouse click on the channel on which your DVD/CD-Rom (Primary or Secondary depending on which controller
your CD/DVD-ROM is) and choose properties.
4. Check if your CD/DVD-ROM is running in DMA or PIO mode and change if needed to PIO
5. confirm with ok and restart
If you have to switch to PIO mode to play this game then you may want to try to figure out why you must do so. DMA is much better than PIO.
4. Q: I can't build walls, plant trees, use chairs or tables.
A: Rumour is that this has to do with using a NOCD Patch. Don't do that.
5. Q: The install halts at XX%!
A: This may be because of a bad/dirty CD. Check the CD for scratches or dirt. If none then the CD may be bad. Try the CD in another computer. If you still have the same problem then try the suggestions posted above.
6. Q: I stick the CD in the drive but it can't see it!
A: Verify that your aren't sticking a DVD into a CD drive. If you aren't then try the above suggestions.
Sims 2 Crashing Problems
1. Your computer may have bad memory. Download the following tool to test your memory.
http://www.memtest.org/
Programs to check your PC
Sims 2 Checker Tool
http://sims.servopro.com/downloads/download.php?download=http://sims2.servopro.com/TS2SysReqc.zip
Other threads to try
The following thread helps people who have problems upgrading to DirectX 9.0C from Directx 9.0b. I will not include instructions from that thread on this one as this thread is geared more towards the "average" user. If you have the problem mentioned and are capable of doing it then here is the link:
http://www.ntcompatible.com/thread28739-2.html
Thanks to everyone who has posted solutions to the Sims 2 on these forums. The advice above was taken from this site and many others and collected into what you see above. I take no credit for the advice above except for the collection of it into the post you see before you.
If you wish to post in this thread then you MUST read the following information. Any person who does not read this information and posts for help will be utterly and totally ignored.....unless you decide to give the people who help money in return for their services.
If you know what kind of computer you have (how much memory, HD space, video card, processor, etc) then post these if you can.
If you do not then AFTER you have read the below information then you should use DXDIAG to discover your video card information.
To report your processor information then:
Go to Start
Go to Run
Type in MSINFO32
Click on System Summary
Right-Click System Summary
Go to Save as Text File
Save the file and post the results to this forum.
The Sims 2 Video Card Problems
Video cards supported with the Sims 2
ATI Radeon Series (7000 or better)
- Radeon 7000/VE Series (no Hardware T&L, 2.0 GHz Processor needed)
- 7200, 7500
- 8500, All-In-Wonder 8500
- 9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800
- X300, X600, X800
Nvidia Quadro Series
- Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4
Nvidia GeForce Series (GeForce 2 or better)
- GeForce2
- GeForce3, 3 Ti
- GeForce4, 4Ti, MX 420, 440
- GeForce FX 5200, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
- GeForce 6600, 6800
Intel Extreme Graphics (no Hardware T&L, 2.0 GHz Processor needed)
- 82845, 82865, 82915
Users of the Intel Extreme Graphics series or the Radeon VE series will need a 2Ghz processor as these cards don't support T&L.
List of unsupported video cards
ATI Rage Fury
Matrox Millennium G400
Matrox Millennium G550
NVIDIA Riva TNT2
Matrox Parhelia
ST Micro KYRO
S3 DeltaChrome S8
SiS 315
Trident Blade XP
SiS Xabre 400
XGI Volari
Go to these places for the latest drivers for your video card or motherboard:
Asus: www.asus.com
ATI = www.ati.com
Creative Labs: www.creative.com
Guillemot: www.guillemot.com
Hercules: www.hercules.com
Intel = www.intel.com
Matrox = www.matrox.com
Nvidia = www.nvidia.com
MicroStar: www.msi.com.tw
PNY: www.pny.com
PowerVR = www.powervr.com
S3 = www.s3graphics.com
Sapphire: www.sapphiretech.com
or whoever manufacturers your computer download the latest video card and motherboard drivers.
To check what kind of video card you have:
Click "Start"
Go to "Run"
Type in "DXDIAG"
Go to the "Display" Tab
Note "Name" and "Manufacturer"
Error: "Failed to find any Direct X 9.0c compatible grapics adapters in this system! Please make sure you have Direct X 9.0c compatible graphics adapter and have installed the latest drivers provided by the manufacturer. The application will now terminate."
1. Click Start->Run, in the open box write "dxdiag", without quotes.
Go to the Display tab.
Check DDI version. If less than 9 then you may need a new graphics card that supports DirectX 9.0C.
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-02.html
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html
2.Set the display to 16-bit color. To make this change, follow these steps:
a. Click on the Start menu and select Settings, Control Panel, and then double-click on Display.
If using Microsoft Windows* XP: Click on the Start menu and select Control Panel, "Switch to Classic View" if the category view is shown, and then double-click on Display.
b. Select the Settings tab.
c. Change the Color Quality (Color Depth) to 16-bit color.
3. Run the game with the -w switch which forces the game to run in a window. To add this switch, follow these steps:
a. Right-click on the The Sims 2 game and left-click on Properties. You can do this either on the game's shortcut on the desktop or on the game's entry in the Start menu.
b. Add a space and -w to the end of the Target field, so that it looks like this:
"C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2\TSBin\Sims2.exe" -w
Note: The actual path may vary depending on where the game was installed. Make sure that the -w goes outside the quotation marks and that there is a space between the last quotation mark and the -w.
c. Click OK.
4. Windows may not have Hardware Acceleration enabled.
Click on Start.
Click on Run...
Type dxdiag into the box.
Click OK.
Click on the Display tab.
Find the DirectX Features box.
The first feature is DirectDraw Acceleration. It should say Enabled next to it. If it says Disabled, click the Enable button.
The second feature is Direct3D Acceleration. It should say Enabled next to it. If it says Disabled, click the Enable button.
The third feature is AGP Texture Acceleration. It should say Enabled next to it. If it says Disabled, click the Enable button.
Once all three are enabled, close the window.
You may also need to do the following:
Windows 9x:
Click Start, select Settings and choose Control Panel.
Double-click the System icon. The System Properties will open.
Click the Performance tab.
Click the Graphics button. The Advanced Graphics Settings window will appear.
Locate the hardware acceleration adjustment bar. (It will show the words None and Full at each end.)
Move it to Full.
For the new setting to take effect, click OK and restart the computer when prompted.
Launch and use the program.
Windows XP/2000:
Close programs and all windows and return to the desktop.
Right-click a blank area on the desktop and left-click Properties from the menu that appears. The Display Properties will open.
Click the Settings tab.
Click the Advanced button.
Click the Troubleshoot tab. A window will open with the display adapter type identified on the title bar.
Locate the hardware acceleration adjustment bar. (It will show the words None and Full at each end.)
Move it to Full
For the new setting to take effect, click Apply and then click OK.
Click OK again to close the Display Properties window.
Launch and use the program.
NOTE: If the issue remains, repeat the above procedure and move the hardware acceleration slide bar to the left one additional position. (Do not select the NONE setting, which is the setting to the far left.)
5. You may have a corrupted install of DirectX
On the Sims 2 CD/DVD in the DirectX Folder.
Copy the dsetup.dll to:
\Windows\System for Windows 9x
or
\Windows\System32 for Windows XP. (WINNT for 2000)
Try reinstalling DirectX from the Sims 2 CD/DVD if this does not work.
If the DirectX install errors out then try copying the DirectX folder to your computer and installing DirectX from there.
6. Q: Why does the game crash at 'Blurring Reality Lines' in the loading screen?
A: This is usually caused by an error with your video card. First, verify that your video card is compatible with The Sims 2. You need (at minimum) a T&L-capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM.
7. Sims 2 may hav problems with odd refresh rates. Try forcing your display to 60hz. Also disable or uninstall any refresh rate changing programs.
The Sims 2 CD/DVD Problems
Error: "CD/DVD emulation software has been detected. Please disable all CD/DVD emulation software and re start the game"
1. Uninstall virtual drive software. (CloneCD/Alcohol/Daemon Tools)
You may also have to delete the registry keys for these programs manually.
2. Patches needed to fix CD/DVD problems:
For Windows 9x - Install the latest DCOM
http://www.microsoft.com/com/dcom/dcom98/download.asp
For Windows XP - Install the Safedisc Patch
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=35831
For Windows 2000 - Install the Safedisc Patch
http://www.macrovision.com/products/safedisc/downloads.shtml
3. Turn on/off DMA mode on your CD/DVD player.
Windows 9x
1. right mouse click on My Computer and click properties
2. change to the tab "Device Manager"
3. open the device manager and navigate to your DVD/CD-ROM
and click on the "+"
4. right mouse click on your DVD/CD-ROM and choose properties
5. check if you have DMA Transfer Mode (or something like that)
checked and if so uncheck it!
6. click ok and then start the pc new
Windows XP:
1. click on "Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Hardware ->
Device Manager"
2. open the Device Manager and navigate to the entry "ide Controller"
3. right mouse click on the channel on which your DVD/CD-Rom (Primary or Secondary depending on which controller
your CD/DVD-ROM is) and choose properties.
4. Check if your CD/DVD-ROM is running in DMA or PIO mode and change if needed to PIO
5. confirm with ok and restart
If you have to switch to PIO mode to play this game then you may want to try to figure out why you must do so. DMA is much better than PIO.
4. Q: I can't build walls, plant trees, use chairs or tables.
A: Rumour is that this has to do with using a NOCD Patch. Don't do that.
5. Q: The install halts at XX%!
A: This may be because of a bad/dirty CD. Check the CD for scratches or dirt. If none then the CD may be bad. Try the CD in another computer. If you still have the same problem then try the suggestions posted above.
6. Q: I stick the CD in the drive but it can't see it!
A: Verify that your aren't sticking a DVD into a CD drive. If you aren't then try the above suggestions.
Sims 2 Crashing Problems
1. Your computer may have bad memory. Download the following tool to test your memory.
http://www.memtest.org/
Programs to check your PC
Sims 2 Checker Tool
http://sims.servopro.com/downloads/download.php?download=http://sims2.servopro.com/TS2SysReqc.zip
Other threads to try
The following thread helps people who have problems upgrading to DirectX 9.0C from Directx 9.0b. I will not include instructions from that thread on this one as this thread is geared more towards the "average" user. If you have the problem mentioned and are capable of doing it then here is the link:
http://www.ntcompatible.com/thread28739-2.html
Thanks to everyone who has posted solutions to the Sims 2 on these forums. The advice above was taken from this site and many others and collected into what you see above. I take no credit for the advice above except for the collection of it into the post you see before you.
Ill try and get a copy of Pro then.
ok, so i have a problem, and it's completely different from all of the problems posted here. i got sims 2, and i started installing it, but at about 3%, it says that it cant move a file from the media. is this happening to anyone else? i checked my computer, and everything is fine, even the directx. i hope someone can help me.