Just installed it, doesn't work! Black screen. I've just bought and installed The Sims 2 Deluxe (DVD). Here's my PC config: *Microsoft Windows XP Professional *PHITRONICS *System MCP61V *AMD Sempron Processor 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.8GHz *1006MB Ram *DVD-ROM *120GB free space on disk *DirectX 9.0c *Realtek HD Audio Output *NVIDIA GeForce 6100 nForce400 (driver date is 06/29/07) After completting the installation, I CAN'T, in any way, open the game! After a considerably long time of waiting, it seems like the game is going to open, but what happens is that the screen goes black, and I can't exit in any way, so I have to reset my PC. I follow all steps written on The Sims' support manual, downloaded a new NVIDIA driver, but the problem continues. I even uninstalled and reinstalled the game, but the same keeps happening! Do you have any ideas? It's so frustrating... Thanks in advance! (BTW, I HAVE ALSO TRIED THE "-w" "-nosound" thing, and it still didn't work!)
Thank you for a clear description. Tell us a little more about that computer, please. Phitronics seems to be a Latin-American company, which builds PC to order. I'm concerned with 1006MB RAM because it is an odd number ... perhaps there's an onboard graphics display adapter ... I know, from experience, that computer engineers occasionally overlook important steps in the final configuration of custom builds (my PC was a custom build and I had to run the BIOS after I got it to disable the motherboard sound device before my sound card would work ). It may just be a matter of running the BIOS set up to make sure that the computer is actually using the nVIDIA device (just because Windows sees it and says that it is working properly doesn't mean that the wretched thing is actually working properly ). More obvious ... make sure that your monitor is actually plugged into the back of the nVIDIA card (one of the horizontal panels low down on the back of the tower case) as opposed to the onboard graphics output in the large vertical panel of sockets high up on the tower case.
Thanks a lot for your reply! I'm from Brasil, so that might be the reason for the Phitronics thing. Technically, I have 1GB of ram, but when I run dxdiag, that's the number that appears. I took it for tests when I bought the computer (about two weeks ago) because there seemed to be some memory problems, but they changed it for a new one, and it's been working fine ever since. I am using an old driver now, because I had to restore the system yesterday. I wonder if you have any advice on which NVIDIA driver would have more chances or working, and if I do need to install a new Realtek one. HD is 160GB, about 120GB currently available I'll post more detailed info: ------------------ System Information ------------------ Time of this report: 8/4/2007, 11:01:02 Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254) Language: Portuguese (Regional Setting: Portuguese) System Manufacturer: PHITRONICS System Model: MCP61V BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3200+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.8GHz Memory: 1006MB RAM Page File: 266MB used, 2155MB 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: NVIDIA GeForce 6100 nForce 400 Manufacturer: NVIDIA Chip type: GeForce 6100 nForce 400 DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_03D2&SUBSYS_26041019&REV_A2 Display Memory: 128.0 MB Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz) Monitor: StudioWorks 560N Monitor Max Res: 1024,768 Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9148 (English) DDI Version: 9 (or higher) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Driver Date/Size: 8/16/2006 04:35:00, 4496128 bytes WHQL Logo'd: n/a WHQL Date Stamp: n/a VDD: n/a Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys Mini VDD Date: 8/16/2006 04:35:00, 3959712 bytes Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4092-11CF-1550-0E0603C2CB35} Vendor ID: 0x10DE Device ID: 0x03D2 SubSys ID: 0x26041019 Revision ID: 0x00A2 Revision ID: 0x00A2 Video Accel: Deinterlace Caps: {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch Registry: OK DDraw Status: Enabled D3D Status: Enabled AGP Status: Enabled DDraw Test Result: Not run D3D7 Test Result: Not run D3D8 Test Result: Not run D3D9 Test Result: Not run ------------- Sound Devices ------------- Description: Realtek HD Audio output Default Sound Playback: Yes Default Voice Playback: Yes Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0660&SUBSYS_1019C601&REV_1000 Manufacturer ID: 1 Product ID: 100 Type: WDM Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5268 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail WHQL Logo'd: n/a Date and Size: 6/14/2006 00:04:12, 4299264 bytes Other Files: Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp. HW Accel Level: Full Cap Flags: 0x0 Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0 Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0 HW Memory: 0 Voice Management: No EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm No Registry: OK Sound Test Result: Not run --------------------- Sound Capture Devices --------------------- Description: Realtek HD Audio Input Default Sound Capture: Yes Default Voice Capture: Yes Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5268 (English) Driver Attributes: Final Retail Date and Size: 6/14/2006 00:04:12, 4299264 bytes Cap Flags: 0x0 Format Flags: 0x0 ----------- DirectMusic ----------- DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002 Acceleration: n/a Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port Mapeador de MIDI da Microsoft [Emulado], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal Sint. softw.tab. sons wave MS G [Emulado], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal Registry: OK Test Result: Not run ------------------- DirectInput Devices ------------------- Device Name: Mouse Attached: 1 Controller ID: n/a Vendor/Product ID: n/a FF Driver: n/a Device Name: Teclado Attached: 1 Controller ID: n/a Vendor/Product ID: n/a FF Driver: n/a Poll w/ Interrupt: No Registry: OK ----------- USB Devices ----------- + USB Root Hub | Vendor/Product ID: 0x10DE, 0x03F1 | Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub | Service: usbhub | Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/3/2004 23:08:44, 57600 bytes | Driver: usbd.sys, 10/28/2001 12:07:34, 4736 bytes ---------------- Gameport Devices ---------------- ------------ PS/2 Devices ------------ + Teclado padro com 101/102 teclas ou Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard | Matching Device ID: *pnp0303 | Service: i8042prt | Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 00:37:16, 53760 bytes | Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 00:39:20, 25088 bytes | + Terminal Server Keyboard Driver | Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd | Upper Filters: kbdclass | Service: TermDD | Driver: termdd.sys, 8/3/2004 23:45:54, 40840 bytes | Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 00:39:20, 25088 bytes | + Mouse compatvel com PS/2 | Matching Device ID: *pnp0f13 | Service: i8042prt | Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 00:37:16, 53760 bytes | Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 00:55:42, 23552 bytes | + Terminal Server Mouse Driver | Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou | Upper Filters: mouclass | Service: TermDD | Driver: termdd.sys, 8/3/2004 23:45:54, 40840 bytes | Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 00:55:42, 23552 bytes ---------------------------- DirectPlay Service Providers ---------------------------- DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180) DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180) DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180) DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180) Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180) IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180) Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180) Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180) DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run DirectPlay Test Result: Not run Registry: OK ------------------- DirectPlay Adapters ------------------- DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1 DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Conexo local - IPv4 - ----------------------- DirectPlay Voice Codecs ----------------------- Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s MS-PCM 64 kbit/s MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s ------------------------- DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps ------------------------- ------------------------ Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives ------------------------ Drive: C: Free Space: 115.7 GB Total Space: 152.6 GB File System: NTFS Model: SAMSUNG HD161HJ Drive: D: Model: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H42N Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Portuguese), 8/3/2004 22:59:54, 49536 bytes
BTW, I'm not exactly an expert, so could you help me with some instructions to run the BIOS and check if the computer is using the nVIDIA device? And in case it isn't, how could I change it? I just reinstalled the latest nVIDIA driver, btw. I wonder if the driver for the Motherboard Chipset it something else! I have no clue...
OK ... erm ... I'm not much of an expert myself. I won't try to talk you thru a BIOS session. The BIOS set tetip is typcially accessed when the computer is just booting up (before Windows begins to load (while the balck screen is still ticking away with groovy old-fashioned wordy-type computer commands ... during that phase if you press a certain key on the keyboard the computer stops loading Windows and goes into BIOS set up ... after which it is possible to rely on basic common sense (don't alter anything you don't understand) ... however unless you are confident and you have a manual for the motherboard you are better off returning the machine to maker for further attention. The way you describe the game loading to a black screen is what is making me think that the game has actually loaded properly and is waiting for you to play it ... just that your ddisplay card is not being nice because it won't show you the game. Are you sure your monitor is plugged into the right socket? I haven't researched your motherboard in detail so I don't know if it has onboard graphics or not ... looking at PHITRONICS website the word "incorporado" doesn't look promising ... can you describe where your screen/monitor is plugged in? (By the way, ignore the uninstall drivers advice you were given at lockergnome ... if you downloaded the driver package from nVIDIA's driver page it comes as a complete upgrade package, which only needs to be double-clicked to get it running.)
Oh, thanks a lot! I'll ignore that advice. I had posted there before posting here, just because I was (still am, lol!) desperate to solve that problem. I'll check for where the monitor is plugged right now, and I'll let you know! And yes, it has onboard graphics! This is the NVidia driver I am currently using. Do you think I should try another one? On dxdiag, the field for Gameport Devices is empty, but I don't know what this means...
No that looks like the one I'd have sent you to. If the graphics is onboard and given that you have previously had memory problems, then it is really starting to look like the motherboard itself is faulty. This isn't unusual. However we'll work through the troubleshooting before sending you back the store. (How are consumer rights in Brasil? ... I am loving having to learn to spell your country's name with a S instead of with a Z ... ) PS - Gameport Devices are things like joysticks and steering wheels and things ...
It's working already! I tried on another computer, it worked, and I checked that the "Direct 3D" was enabled in a different way than it was on this one, so I changed it. Also, this monitor was set to VGA mode, so that could have been what made it work! Once again, thanks for helping! I can play The Sims 2 now.
If you ever get the black screen and have to reset your computer try turning all background tasks off as they cause alot of problems for sims.
