Computer Software Problems

[scarlet11]

Oh pleeeeaaaase help me, some tech genius! I really need help.
First of all, seeing how this is General discussion; discussion about ANYTHING; I thought it would be ok to ask about fixing games.
If it is I'm having problems with getting The Sims2 to run. If you've heard of it and think you might be able to help (i'll tell you the problem once you respong cause i'll feel stupid about rambling on about this when this isnt a general topic.) please let me know as soon as humanly possible!!!! PLEASE!
(hint: it has to do with DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics adapters!!!!!!!!!!)

[Lexar]

from the sound of it, you need either to update your drivers, and directx, or your videocard doesn't have the muscle to run sims 2. Could be your entire system though. If you post your pc specs, I'm sure I can figure it out.

[_matt_]

if it has to do with directx you probably need to download it (if not already) and a plug-in which will fix the compatibility between directx and your graphics card. if this doesn't solve it, you probably need to upgrade your graphics card. (hopefully you know to use a 3d graphics card...)

[ZOMGHappyNoodleBoyZOMG]

Sounds liek you need a new graphics card because i'm pretty sure that sims 2 automatically updates DirectX 9 on your computer, but I'm not for sure.

[slet]

Some people here are over doing it. You don't need to buy a new graphics card because you have a problem. I read your message and you were talking about directx 9c. As far as I know the c version is still a beta and not officially released yet. You should try to get back to directx9b.
Like Lexar said: What systemspecs do you have (and I want details)?

[_matt_]

i don't think its a problem with c, if there was they'd have a patch fix for it out already (assumably). i actually had to go out and buy a new graphics card for my computer just to play doom 3. it worked, but it ran like s**t on my comp even with all the settings set on low. but it was worth it. ^_^

but in order of us to effectively help you, we need your comp specs. i'm pretty sure we can weed out the problem.

[slet]

there won't be patches released for 9c cuz it's a beta and not officially supported by microsoft.

What card did you get?

[scarlet11]

Ok first of all I think I know what you guys rae saying. But somehow I dont. I have one question which is what are computer specs? Is that and abbreviation for something? If you tell me I can find it. Thanks for the advice so far.

[Lexar]

okay first go to 'this computer' and right click, it should say what kind of build you have.

For example mine says pentium 4 running at 2,00 ghz and 512 mb ram.

Next thing you do is right click on your desktop and select properties. You should have a new window with tabs. Go the tab on the right, where you select your resolution, and it should say what kind of video card you have, right after it says what kind of monitor you have. For example mine says it runs on an Nvidia geforce fx 5200. Yours could be anything though, if you didn't upgrade it yourself. Could be an ati card, or maybe an intel extreme graphics processor if you're unlucky.

[scarlet11]

Allright this is all I found so far:

Display:
Default Monitor on Intel® 82810 Graphics Controller

I don't think I have anything on my computer that will let me click 'this ocmputer'...but I'll keep looking.

[scarlet11]

Searching, searching, searching

Oh!!! I think I found it!

Log generated on 12/8/2004, 17:37

=== Application info ===
Name: The Sims 2
Version: 1.0.0.932
Build: ReleaseSRT-P
=== Machine info ===
OS version: Windows 4.90
CPU: 598Mhz, Name:GenuineIntel, FPU:1, MMX:1
Memory: 192MB
Free memory: 44MB
User: default
Computer: OEMCOMPUTER
=== Sound device info ===
Name: Unknown
Driver: Unknown
=== Graphics device info ===
Number: 0
Name (driver): Intel® 82810 Graphics Controller
Name (database): 810 (82810 Chipset Graphics Controller)
Vendor: Intel
Chipset: Vendor: 8086, Device: 7121, Board: 71218086, Chipset: 0003
Driver: i81xDD.DLL, Version: 4.13.1.3196, GUID: D7B78E66-3261-11CF-4AEF-2051A1C2C935
Driver version: 3196
Monitor: \\.\Display1
Monitor aspect: 1.335443, 4:3
Screen mode: 800x600x24BPP,0Hz
Texture memory: 32MB
HW T&L: Fixed function:0 Programmable:0.0
Pixel program: 0.0
Texture stages: 2
AppControlledAA: 1

Global properties
-----------------
stringProp activeDeviceDisplayMode 800x600x32x0
stringProp activeDeviceList 1;0;Intel® 82810 Graphics Controller;8086;7121;3196;4.13.1.3196, GUID: D7B78E66-3261-11CF-4AEF-2051A1C2C935;
sintProp activeDeviceNum 0
boolProp activeDeviceUseSoftwareRasterizer true
boolProp allowCustomContent true
uintProp AmbienceVolume 100
boolProp animationLOD false
uintProp antialiasingQuality 0
uintProp AudioPerformance 1
boolProp autoCentering true
boolProp autoLogin false
boolProp bumpMapping false
boolProp CameraDriftCamEnabled true
boolProp CameraSpecialEventEnabled false
boolProp carsOnRight true
boolProp checkForPatch true
boolProp constrainFloorElevation true
boolProp creatingLotTemplate false
uintProp cutawayMemorySize 3
boolProp cutawayOutside true
boolProp deviceVsynch true
boolProp displayLookAtBoxes false
boolProp displayPaths false
uintProp dynamicRenderStrategy 0
boolProp edgeScrolling true
uintProp edithConfigFlags 1
boolProp effectLODSoftChange true
floatProp effectMaxTimeDelta 0
uintProp effectPriorityLevel 3
boolProp enableSnapshot true
boolProp freeWill true
uintProp FXVolume 100
floatProp geomBoneInfluenceThreshold 0.01
boolProp geomCheckGeomDataIntegrity false
floatProp geomGeneratedTangentSpaceNormalLineLength 0.1
uintProp geomGenerateTangentSpaceNormalLines 0
boolProp geomGenerateTangentSpaceSxT false
uintProp geomMaxBoneInfluencesPerVertex 4
sintProp geomMaxMorphTargetDeltasPerVertex 4
floatProp geomMorphTargetDeltaThreshold 0.001
floatProp geomPerBoneBoundBlendWeightThreshold 0.9
boolProp guob true
floatProp horzedgescrollrate 0.5
boolProp interrupt false
stringProp lastLoadedNeighborhood Pleasantview
uintProp lightingQuality 3
boolProp lightOpenGLStyle false
boolProp liveCameraConstraints true
boolProp livePIP false
uintProp lodOverride 0
boolProp lotInfoAdvancedMode false
stringProp lotWindowFillColor (0,0,0,1)
uintProp maxParticlesTarget 10000
uintProp maxTerrainGrade 5
boolProp morph true
uintProp MusicVolume 40
stringProp neighborhoodWindowFillColor (0.5,0.5,0.5,1)
boolProp nhoodWaterReflection false
boolProp NoLegacySounds true
boolProp noStupidIFFUnlocking false
boolProp optimizeMeshes true
uintProp optionEffectsQuality 3
uintProp optionLightingQuality 1
uintProp optionMaterialDetail 2
uintProp optionObjectDetail 3
uintProp optionObjectHiding 1
uintProp optionOpaqueUI 0
uintProp optionReflection 1
uintProp optionShadows 1
uintProp optionSoundQuality 1
floatProp particleDamping 0
floatProp particleDensity 1
uintProp particleLODOffset 0
floatProp particleScale 1
floatProp particleSizeThreshold 1
boolProp perfAddLights true
boolProp perfEnableMorphing true ......


and so on. But 2/3 of it doesn't sound like it'll help but this is what I came up with.
It's seems like a lot more then what you had....uh...?

[Lexar]

[quote]    *  Windows 98, 2000, ME, or XP
     
    * 256MB of RAM
     
    * A graphics card on the supported graphics card list (preferably one with T&L support)
     
    * CPU: 800MHz Pentium 3 or equivalent (if you have a graphics card which supports T&L). Those who do not have a graphics card which supports T&L will need a 2.0GHz processor.
     
    * At least 3.5Gb of hard drive space.
     
    * Monitor Resolution: 800x600 minimum, 1024x768 recommended. Higher resolutions available.
     
    * Keyboard, mouse, speakers

Below is the current list of graphics cards supported by The Sims 2:

    * ATI RadeonTM series (7000 or better)
          o Radeon 7000/VE series (non-T&L; requires 2.0 GHz processor)
          o 7200, 7500
          o 8500, All-In-Wonder 8500
          o 9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800
          o X300, X600, X800
           
    * Nvidia QuadroTM series
          o Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4
           
    * Nvidia Geforce series (GeForce2 and better)
          o GeForce2
          o GeForce3, 3 Ti
          o GeForce4, 4Ti, MX 420, 440
          o GeForce FX 5200, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
          o GeForce 6600, 6800
           
    * Intel Extreme Graphics (non-T&L; requires 2.0 GHz processor)
          o 82845, 82865, 82915
[/quote]

You have an intel extreme graphics card (which is even too old), a too slow processor, even if you had a faster video card, and not enough free memory (RAM), so in all, your system is too slow to run the sims 2, sorry.

[scarlet11]

Yeah that's how much space I had after I installed it. But still I guess that doesn't make much of a difference.
I figured as much that my computer software was to old. Looks like I won't be playing my game for a year or so.
Thanks for the help.

[slet]

[quote="scarlet11 ((unknown to man kind)"] Yeah that's how much space I had after I installed it. But still I guess that doesn't make much of a difference.
I figured as much that my computer software was to old. Looks like I won't be playing my game for a year or so.
Thanks for the help. [/quote]
It's not your software, it's your hardware ;)

and Lexar was talking about memory, not harddisk space.

[scarlet11]

I know what he was talking about. I just don't use the right words.
blah blah
Besides, this post is closed.

[scarlet11]

I HAVE TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy! My step-grandfather built us a computer. It's a windows xp, which i think is a lot faster then the one I'm using now! I can play my game! I soooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I DON'T HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

(after installing sims)
OMG it runs sooo smoothly. It's amazing. You can move around really easily and everything loads so fast! I LOVE IT!