Game Locking Up Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.030422-1633) Language: English (Regional Setting: English) System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation System Model: Latitude D600 BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A12 Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1600MHz, ~1.0GHz Memory: 512MB RAM Page File: 255MB used, 995MB available Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904) DX Setup Parameters: Not found DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0904 32bit Unicode Card name: MOBILITY RADEON 9000 Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc. Chip type: Mobility Radeon 9000 (LF) DAC type: Internal DAC(350MHz) Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4C66&SUBSYS_011D1028&REV_02 Display Memory: 32.0 MB Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz) Monitor: Generic Television Monitor Max Res: 640,480 Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll Driver Version: 6.13.0010.6279 (English) DDI Version: 8 Driver Attributes: Final Retail Driver Date/Size: 1/3/2003 18:42:00, 243328 bytes WHQL Logo'd: Yes WHQL Date Stamp: n/a VDD: n/a Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys Mini VDD Date: 1/3/2003 18:41:00, 540672 bytes Dear sirs and ma'ams, While playing, I encounter lockups when it seems like something big is about to happen. i.e. when my sim gets kinda far into a relationship, then something blue starts to form over their heads......then it locks up. Its kinda frustrating as my sims can't really ever fall in love, as well its a pain and probably not good for my laptop to do all those cold boots. Well, thank you in advance for your help. cheers, parchisi <edit> I have also tried to find updated drivers at the Radeon site and at the dell website, but couln't find any. I've also played with all the graphics options to no avail. I've checked all the FAQs found on the EA website.......also to no avail. Methinks its a corrupt file or something.....
I'm guessing this sounds more like a case of "your computer sucks". When Sims fall in love, a special cutscene occurs. These cutscenes are graphically intensive, and probably push your system beyond its tolerance. Try disabling "special event camera" in the graphics option.
Unfortunately, thats kinda what I figured. Here at the Air Force academy, they don't give us the greatest gaming machines, I tried turning off the cutscenes, but that didn't work either. This is really depressing....I guess my people will just have to stay single... Thanks for the reply. but please if anybody has any other advice or ideas to try, please help me. Thanks! cheers, parchisi
Are you sure you have the latest drivers? I'm pretty sure ATI has updated Catalyst since 1/3/2003. And are you sure it really locks up? Having used computers for a while, I've learned to be very patient with them - I literally waited an entire 5 minutes for a computer to unfreeze (which it did eventually), a length of time many people would not have tolerated without rebooting. If everything just freezes and stops responding, sit back, pull out a book, and try giving the computer some time.
Nope. It stays locked up for a good long while. Oh well, looks like I kinda wasted 50 dollars. Coulda sworn my laptop met the requirements, but I guess not. Thank for all ya'all's help. Cheers, parchisi
I suggest running MemTest86. It sounds like an issue with the memory. Memory is a volatile item. Even at the slightest break, could make memory faulty. It can cause your system to run slow, fine, or appear normal. It could even make it look like Microsoft is at fault. For those who are having massive problems, well just run this memtest program overnight (while you are sleeping) and look at the results in the morning. If you see any error messages, time to get return or replace the memory. http://www.memtest86.com/
http://www.abxzone.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-28206.html I don't know if the above link will be any help but it looks like the ATI driver (ati2dvag.dll) is responsible for quite a few lock ups with the newer 3D games ... TIP do a Google on ati2dvag.dll .... QUERY. Is there any possible significance in the difference between the video output being set at 1024 * 768 and the monitor's max resolution of 640 *480?
Come to think of it, that is pretty weird. Although I'm guessing it's an incorrectly installed monitor driver showing the monitor as a TV and 640 by 480. Shouldn't affect the game any, since I don't think the game switches resolutions or anything during special events.
i've got the same exact computer as parchisi... any other suggestions about what hardware or devices i should get to improve my computer? i tried posting on the official sims 2 bbs but they were no help. PLEASE help. send an email to me (dremfindr@aol.com) if you have ANY suggestions. thank you! -- sarah
