Graphics spazzing out

[Twistie]

Hi everyone, I have read all the posts I can find on this problem and tried every and all of the solutions suggested, but haven't had any success yet.

My problem is this:
I enter Sims 2, then go to load a new family and thats where the spazzing begins. My screen flickers like crazy and even though I can successfully click on buttons (if I can see where they are) and eventually get through making my family, the people flash around and blink in and out. Then I exit the "Make a Family" section and now my maps freeze and take a long time to move about and flicker and so forth. In the end, I get so frustrated that I leave the game and come and write posts like this.

These are the specs of my computer:
1. Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) 2200+ MMX 3DNow 1.5GHz
2. System Memory RAM (MB/GB): 512 MB
3. Windows Version: XP home edition 5.1
4. Free Hard Disk Space: 20.7 GB
5. Total Hard Disk Space: 53.7 GB
6. DirectX Version: 9.0c
7. Display Adapter (Graphic/Video Card): Nvidia GeForce FX 5200
8. Display Driver: nv4_disp.dll 6.14.0010.8421 3/9/06 (the latest driver, although I have tried older versions and any version anyone has ever suggested).
9. Approximate Total Video Memory: 128 MB
10.Game Detail: Plain Sims 2 CD


If this means anything, I also have crashing problems in Neverwinter Nights. Sims 2 and NWN are the only two games I have problems with.

Thanks so much for your help :)

[ManagerJosh]

Hey Twistie.

Just out to fulfill my curosity, but exactly how big is your lot/neighborhood in general? Is it very complex?

[Lynet]

I'm probably out in left field but I wondered about downloads. On occasion my screen has gone crazy -- the entire screen getting weird with big angular patches that flash in and out -- and it's usually because of a new hairdo I've downloaded and put on someone's little simmy head. I delete the hairdo and things work fine.

Also, I've stopped my Kodak software from loading automatically when I first turn on the computer. That seemed to make graphics buggy, too. Or at least I've had less problems now in spite of a gazillion new downloads.

Lots of reasons, anyway, for graphics going crazy.

[Twistie]

Hey guys, thanks for your suggestions :D

However, I have not downloaded anything at all into the game (I don't think anyways, I know I did download some stuff aaaaages ago, but not sure if I actually put it into the game or its just sitting in a folder somewhere on my C drive, how do I check that?)

And my neighbourhood was a custom map and consisted of .... one family of weird looking people because I couldn't see to make them properly and two empty plots ...

And I did try reinstalling Sims 2 from scratch a couple of times as well. I have actually had the patience to build a house once or twice despite the graphics flickering and freezing, but the last couple of times I have gone into Sims 2 to play (it is usually a long time between playing since it frustrates me so) my map and house is usually gone and I have to start again from scratch. I don't know if this problem is related or not and since I can't get much further than building a house anyways, it hasn't bothered me, but it would be nice to actually play the game one day!! heh

[Flameback777]

Could be an overheating graphics card.