Troubleshooting Sims2 will not start up

Sims2 will not start up

I cannot get Sims2 to start on my nf2 400 ultra mobo following the installation of the newest nvidia 71.89 drivers for my 6600GT (AGP). The game installed without problem, I insert CD1 and then click the Sims2 icon, and nothing happens other than the splash screen. If I wait long enough, I get that "Encountered a problem, do you want to notify MS" screen. When I eject CD1, I get a message like "Place CD1 in" even though I already did so.

I originally had trouble starting this game on this system prior to installing these drivers, but then I read on a Sims2 support thread somewhere that I needed to run color quality at 16 bit, and the game ran fine after that. But even that doesn't work with the new drivers. All my other programs run great with the new drivers, with my benchmarks (3dMark 01, 03, and 05) running better than ever. It's only Sims2 that has problems (actually, I also get a weird effect with SPSS 12 in 16 bit mode, but it's a minor nuisance only).

I've scoured google, gone to the Sims2 website, and can find nothing to resolve this. I'm pretty much up-to-date on drivers and such on my system (running XP Home SP2). I suspect this is some kind of video setting like I encountered with the prior drivers, but I'm damned if I can figure out what. I've shut down various services to no avail.

I do not want to remove these new video drivers as everything else runs so well. Sims2 runs just fine on my other system, which has a 9800 Pro as the video card.

I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks.

marty

 

Thanks for the quick response. I didn't send anything to MS (I never do). I can go ahead and do so and copy what is being sent, although I'm not quite sure how to do so (if I cannot figure it out I'll let you know). I also should note that when it stalls, and I start "windows task manager" and look under "Applications", there is nothing there. In other words, Sims2 never even starts to load.

System: alby nf2 400 ultra, 2600 mobile athlon running at (11 X 230) 2530Mhz, 512 X 2 OCZ 3200 Platinum Rev2 in dual channel, raptor 74g hdd (OS plus apps, unpartitioned), maxtor 80 gig (partitioned into a pagefile partition and a storage partition), XFX 6600 GT video card, NEC DVD burner 3520A, floppy drive, modem, NEC Accusync 900 19" monitor, using on-board audio, XP Home SP2, AVG virus, Zone Alarm.

Re. the 6600GT, yes, it worked fine with the earlier drivers once I changed the color settings to 16bit. But upon upgrading to the newer drivers (which I'm used to doing, it went without a hitch), that's where the problems started with Sims2 (but nothing else).

I follow the advice of the program manual and turn off all services save explorer and task mgr.

I'm stumped. Thanks.

marty

 

Okay, here's the text from that error message:<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>
<DATABASE>
<EXE NAME="Sims2.exe" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_PRIVACY">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="ijl15.dll" SIZE="352256" CHECKSUM="0x5CC5195" BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.51.12.44" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.51.12.44" PRODUCT_VERSION="1,51,12,44" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Intel JPEG Library - Retail Version" COMPANY_NAME="Intel Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Intel JPEG Library" FILE_VERSION="1,51,12,44" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="ijl15.dll" INTERNAL_NAME="ijl15" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="Copyright Intel Corporation 1998 - 2001" VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x5C30D" LINKER_VERSION="0x40000" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.51.12.44" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.51.12.44" LINK_DATE="05/30/2001 21:37:47" UPTO_LINK_DATE="05/30/2001 21:37:47" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="Sims2.exe" SIZE="15178859" CHECKSUM="0xFFE4228C" BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.932" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.932" PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.932" FILE_DESCRIPTION="The Sims 2" COMPANY_NAME="Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc." PRODUCT_NAME="The Sims 2" FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.932" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="Sims2.exe" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="Copyright 2004 Electronic Arts Inc." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x4" VERFILETYPE="0x1" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x0" LINKER_VERSION="0x0" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.932" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.932" LINK_DATE="08/18/2004 03:04:46" UPTO_LINK_DATE="08/18/2004 03:04:46" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
</EXE>
<EXE NAME="~df394b.tmp" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_THISFILEONLY">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="~df394b.tmp" SIZE="791068" CHECKSUM="0xD527B7F1" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x0" LINKER_VERSION="0x0" LINK_DATE="07/12/2004 11:57:20" UPTO_LINK_DATE="07/12/2004 11:57:20" />
</EXE>
<EXE NAME="kernel32.dll" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_THISFILEONLY">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="kernel32.dll" SIZE="983552" CHECKSUM="0x4CE79457" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Windows NT BASE API Client DLL" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft Windows Operating System" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="kernel32" INTERNAL_NAME="kernel32" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT=" Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0xFF848" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" LINK_DATE="08/04/2004 07:56:36" UPTO_LINK_DATE="08/04/2004 07:56:36" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
</EXE>
</DATABASE>

 

Fixed. I forgot to mention that I had installed the Sims2 patch right after I had installed the newer video drivers. Now I wonder if somehow that might have been a factor. Specifically, as previously stated, after installing the new video drivers plus the patch and then the game failing to start up, I had uninstalled the game and then reinstalled it but could not get it to run. Now at this point I had not reinstalled the patch. I wasn't worried about the patch because it had run before without the patch. But this afternoon, I went ahead and installed the patch, and that somehow managed to fix it. Now it runs fine so long as I stay in 16 bit color.

So, it seems that with these newest nideo drivers, one has to have the patch in place to start the game. Or at least that's true on my system. In any case, thanks for the consideration.

marty

 

Well I spoke too soon. After getting sims2 to run, I shut down the machine and left awhile. Came home, restarted machine, and the same thing: the splash screen and nothing else.

I've done eveything suggested, even running at a refresh rate of 60MHz, but to no avail. I'm still open to any suggestions, but I'm about at the point of cutting my losses rather than spend any more time on this. I apologize for sounding curt and whiny, but frankly I feel this is really unacceptable, especially after reading on this forum that many others have experienced similar problems. This is supposed to be a mature program. Plus, my machine is very up-to-date in terms of hardware, software, and software updates, and I've never experienced such problems with any other programs.

Okay, I'm done whining. Take care.

marty

 

Thanks for responding Josh. Just the critical XP updates by and large. I may have updated my sound drivers via Windows Update, though I'm not sure, I'd have to look at my history of updates. I updated my video drivers directly from nvidia, and followed their uninstall and install recommendations carefully (I've done this many times).

I could not make sense of that Sims2 error message. I'm not sure what you are saying with your comment that the error message focuses on everything but EA/Maxis. Please note that I am not having problems with any other program. Anything I should be looking for? I really appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

marty

 

The only updates I have not installed are the one for outlook express, the one for windows journal viewer, the one for MS .net framework, and that one for that HighMAT Support in CD writing wizard. Nothing else. I did indeed update some nvidia sound and audio drivers (I have a nvidia mobo with on-board sound). Currently, Per Windows Update, there is nothing else to update save those 4 files described above.

The only other thing I can think of is my services. I do disable some of my services to conserve resources. That's all I can think of at this point. But like I said, no other programs are affected, so I'm skeptical of this. Pluls, it runs at times. Something somehow prevents sims2 from starting up, like it's being blocked or precluded from starting up. The messages I get sort of indicate that the program is confused about drives. Is there a problem running this on a sata drive (which is my main drive)? Thanks.

marty

 

Why this patch? I'm game, but it's already installed, and I'm loathe to reinstall patches unless there is some compelling reason to do so as patches sometimes have adverse effects on system performance. Thanks.

marty

 

I'm having a problem similar to alex666's. Whenever I try to start up The Sims 2 I get a message that reads "Please insert the correct CD-ROM,..." no matter which disk is in my drive. I have the system requirements, as you can see in this screenshot: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v220/DrWorm9000/EASims2reqs.jpg , I still don't know what's wrong.

 

Well, I continue to have no luck. Even tried putting disk 1 on a virtual cd, but got the same error. Also updated my audio drivers from nvidia, but no change.

I'll keep the program on this system and keep my eyes and ears open for any possible solutions, but I've spent too much time on this already. Seriously, I've never been so stumped by a program, never been unable to get a program started like this before. My dvd-cd burner is brand new, as is my video card, completely up-to-date on my video and audio drivers, XP patches, the CD patch for Sims2, and all my other programs run fine. Plus Sims2 runs fine on my kt-600 with an ati card. So I suspect this is a video driver issue, my best guess. Wait and see if EA or Nvidia come up with a patch.

Again, thanks for you assistance Josh.

marty

 

The same problem

Hello Folks,

I have exactly the same problem of Alex666. But i never updated for the sims2. The MS-Windows update it's ok, I already update driver for video card (version 81.98_forceware_winxp2k_international_whql NVIDIA).

SYSTEM: ASUS P4P800-MX, Intel 2400mhz, 512MB X 1 KINGSTON, VIDEO CARD GEOFORCE FX-5500, WINDOWS XP SP2.

The Sims2 already running on this system, but I had to remove it, and now this I got error message.

Someone have an idea to help us ??? I already have unistalled, installed, installed pach, but the error go on.

if i turn on my computer and run SIMS2, the first time nothing happen (only splash screen appear during 2 secunds), the second time on the error message below is showed:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>
<DATABASE>
<EXE NAME="Sims2.exe" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_PRIVACY">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="ijl15.dll" SIZE="352256" CHECKSUM="0x5CC5195" BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.51.12.44" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.51.12.44" PRODUCT_VERSION="1,51,12,44" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Intel JPEG Library - Retail Version" COMPANY_NAME="Intel Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Intel JPEG Library" FILE_VERSION="1,51,12,44" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="ijl15.dll" INTERNAL_NAME="ijl15" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="Copyright Intel Corporation 1998 - 2001" VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x5C30D" LINKER_VERSION="0x40000" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.51.12.44" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.51.12.44" LINK_DATE="05/30/2001 21:37:47" UPTO_LINK_DATE="05/30/2001 21:37:47" VER_LANGUAGE="Ingls (Estados Unidos) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="SD040e.dll" SIZE="4608" CHECKSUM="0x9D7F482B" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x0" LINKER_VERSION="0x0" LINK_DATE="02/26/2005 07:46:26" UPTO_LINK_DATE="02/26/2005 07:46:26" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="Sims2.exe" SIZE="15204977" CHECKSUM="0x65B2AF8A" BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.1005" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.1005" PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.1005" FILE_DESCRIPTION="The Sims 2" COMPANY_NAME="Maxis, a division of Electronic Arts Inc." PRODUCT_NAME="The Sims 2" FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.1005" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="Sims2.exe" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="Copyright 2004 Electronic Arts Inc." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x4" VERFILETYPE="0x1" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x0" LINKER_VERSION="0x0" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="1.0.0.1005" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="1.0.0.1005" LINK_DATE="02/26/2005 06:30:06" UPTO_LINK_DATE="02/26/2005 06:30:06" VER_LANGUAGE="Ingls (Estados Unidos) [0x409]" />
</EXE>
<EXE NAME="~df394b.tmp" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_THISFILEONLY">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="~df394b.tmp" SIZE="791068" CHECKSUM="0xD527B7F1" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x0" LINKER_VERSION="0x0" LINK_DATE="07/12/2004 11:57:20" UPTO_LINK_DATE="07/12/2004 11:57:20" />
</EXE>
<EXE NAME="kernel32.dll" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_THISFILEONLY">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="kernel32.dll" SIZE="1022464" CHECKSUM="0x5B04FFB9" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" FILE_DESCRIPTION="DLL cliente da API BASE do Windows NT" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Sistema operacional Microsoft Windows" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="kernel32" INTERNAL_NAME="kernel32" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT=" Microsoft Corporation. Todos os direitos reservados." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x106B9E" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.2180" LINK_DATE="08/04/2004 07:45:16" UPTO_LINK_DATE="08/04/2004 07:45:16" VER_LANGUAGE="Portugus (Brasil) [0x416]" />
</EXE>
</DATABASE>

 

the same problem

I have the same problem of Alex666.

I'm tired of reinstall the sims2, I already have tryed everything. Now I'm thinking reinstall windows.

 

of course

Yes, this is legal version of windows XP with SP2 intalled.