Sims 2 on Vista

Alrighty. I'm about to kill someone.

Short story: Bought Sims 2 Deluxe, doesn't work.

Long story: Installed the first time, crashes on EA logo splash screen. I looked around Google, updated my GPU drivers (169.09), some other random drivers (network stuff - poking in the dark). NOTHING.

Uninstalled, installed the second time. Starts it up - ERROR: Emulation software detected. I have 1 other game installed "The Witcher". I have maybe a total of 5 programs installed, not including Minesweeper and Paint.

I'm about to chuck this game at a random person's head. I know it works on Vista. I know that my GPU can play it (actually overkill). I know my GPU supports dx9c. I know my GPU supports T&L. There is NOTHING else running in the background - my startup programs include Avast, which I turned off, and nVidia drivers. This is pretty much a clean install + Firefox I have running here. Why won't it work? What am I doing wrong?

EDIT: Apparently by creating this thread, I got rid of the "Emulation" error. Back to square one - game crashes on splash screen, EA logo appears, sound gets cut off and game stops responding. Also, it takes maybe 30 seconds to even get to the splash screen. I hate life.

 

Not much I can offer, you've already done/checked everything that I would do.
However, I do have some theories:

1. Installation failed, corrupted files, bad copy of the game
- Possible, but I seriously doubt it. Uninstall the game, including the game folders, registries.
Copy the content of the DVD to your local harddrive, and install the game from there.

2. Caused by emulation software
- As you've mentioned that you did receive an error message regarding emulation, what emulation software you installed? Some emulation softwares have options where you can disable them to avoid the error.

3. Have you tried using no dvd? or mounting mini-dvd?

4. Screen refresh rate perhaps? though not likely, but check it anyways.

5. There should be a copy of DirectX 9 on the game DVD, find it and install it.

It's the original Sims 2 we are dealing with, right?

 

What about UAC? I mean, I've personally been able to install and play it fine with UAC on AND off on different computers, but maybe it's being weird (like the AIM problem).

 

1. Done and done.
2. I don't have any emulation software installed. No Nero, no Roxio, not even Lightscribe.
3. Usually I keep away from that, but I might be pushed in that direction.
4. Not that, otherwise it wouldn't get to the splash screen in the first place. A refresh error would cause the game to not boot at all.
5. Having dx10 means I have dx9. Also, The Witcher runs fine.
6. Yes, brand new Sims 2 Deluxe.
7. I always off UAC a few seconds after installing Vista.

I tried running it with no sound, since it could be the audio drivers, but still crashed. Got a tiny bit further, but nothing.

I'm going to give up on playing computer games soon. I mean, this computer is a few generations better than what can play the Sims 2. I know computers and can't get this thing to run. How do you expect a 9 year old and their mom to play this game? Sad part is that I know it should work.

 

Never played Sims 2 deluxe, but here are a couple of common Vista solutions to game problems:

1. Install the game in a directory other than "program files."---pick c:/sims2 or something

2. Run as admin.

3. Run in compatibility mode.

4. Check the dev/publisher website for any Vista patches.---Sims 2 is fairly popular so I'm sure there's a forum just for installation issues with it.

 

Oh, I was trying to say that maybe by uninstalling it, turning on UAC, and reinstalling it may work.

With AIM, I installed it with no UAC. After that, my internet connection status was always "Unkown, No such interface supported". I uninstalled, reinstalled with UAC on and everything went back to normal (even after turning off UAC after the installation). However, that was a specific problem many were having with AIM, but maybe it would work for this too. I don't know what else it could be, I've installed The Sims 2 several times on my G1S with and without UAC and it's been fine. =\

 

1. I'll try it, but I thought that only affected programs that were installed with UAC, and then UAC was turned off.
2. Done.
3. Done.
4. Been doing that for the last 3 hours. I've built computers faster.

 

I'm assuming you installed that latest patch(s) (if any). That would be my one piece of advice for now. I can't think of anything else ATM.

EDIT: I was slow in posting, I see you already acknowledged what I was going to say.

EDIT2: Well, to test if the installation is corrupted or not, you could try a no-dvd (while backing up whatever files you replace, of course).

 

Well, at least the NO-DVD crack works...

I wish I could say the same about the game. Still hangs right at the splash screen. Video and audio both get cut off.

 

Check this out (cut + paste--part of "SecuROM" wikipedia topic)


The Sims 2 controversy

The Sims 2 and most of its subsequent add-ons have previously been using Safedisk for copy protection until April 2007. However, since then, Electronic Arts has replaced Safedisk with SecuROM v 7.x software protection, which is included with The Sims Pet Stories, The Sims 2 Deluxe, The Sims 2: H&M Fashion Stuff and The Sims 2: Bon Voyage. Some users have been reporting problems with launching the game, CD-burners or anti-virus protection, due to SecuROM. EA attempted to address some of these concerns on the official website. They instructed users on how to remove the software from their computers.[5] Users who asked about the removal of SecuROM were recommended to not do so, since it can affect the functioning of The Sims 2: Bon Voyage and other EA games that use SecuROM.[6]

 

Yeah, I've played many games with SecuROM before. I think The Witcher has SecuROM also. Right now, I've tried it with a NO DVD crack, and that works, so it mean that it's not copy protection. Something's not syncing up right hardware wise, yet all my hardware works.

 

The Witcher uses the TAGES copy protection system, although that shouldn't cause a problem to most users as it's sensitive to software such as Daemon Tools and Nero. Perhaps the PC registry is screwing up the system by telling the game that you have something incompatible which really isn't there.

 

TS2 has problems with dual core processors. It's not universal but there are many many users with your problems. Some people have fixed this by telling the game to play on only one core.. and some people have had this make things worse. This may be what your problem is. Your ASUS in your sig is what you're trying to play on?

Maybe this article will be of help to you: http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Dual_Core_Issues

 

I had a vaio ar570 w/ vista, a t7700 core 2 duo and an nvidia 8600 gt and it played the sims 2 deluxe w/ no problem; now I play it w/ quad core and an 8800 gtx and still no problem. I doubt it has anything to do with your processor.

 

Wow, just wow. My first BSOD in years. Over a game. Wow.

I mean, I would start searching for program conflicts and such, but this is as close to a clean install as you can get.

And yes, I am trying to "play" the game on my G1s. But I don't think "play" is the appropriate word.

 

Like I said it's not a universal problem but I see it all the time from users on a sim sites I frequent. Bit of a TS2 freak :$ I don't think anybody has bothered to compile of list of which processors have more frequent problems. TS2 is a really fickle game. It also has severe problems with 7000 and 6000 series GO card. It might not be your processor but it is also very very possible. It is not a very demanding game but it is a VERY particular game. Go figure.

You may also try posting here:
http://sumomo.modthesims2.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31


ETA: Check this previous thread out: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=187428

It seems like you are far from the only person having this problem on the G1S notebooks. A clean install using the recovery discs was the only thing that fixed it for the OP, and another user who posted the same issue. Hmm..

 

Couple things,

First, vista DOES NOT have the required files to run all DX9 apps.

Vista comes with DX10, which is not backwards compatable with DX9 and you still have to go download the latest library files for DX9. Vista does NOT come with DX9 and cannot run most DX9 games from a clean install, however most games auto install the required DX9 files, not all games do.

It may not be the problem at hand, but most people trying to run games on vista run into this one very small issue, just go download the DX9 updates if you haven't already.

TS2 has no problems with the T7500 processor as I just ran the game a few minutes ago and nothing went wrong. It could be many problems but I've never heard of, or seen any problems that arrise due to processor incompatability in TS2.

There are some problems with the game and certain video cards/chipsets. For some reason, the game wouldn't run on a an Nvidia 6200SE, nor an Nvidia 7300GT for me, but your card is far greater than those.

 

Thanks for pulling that up. The thing that worries me is that I'm so close to a clean install (I do it 3-4 times a year), that I don't feel like doing it again so soon.

But now that I've spent so much time on it, I don't think I really care about playing the game anymore. I'm more interested in finding out the root of the problem.

 

I think it would be at least worth doing what unknown555525 said and try installing the directx9.. I mean you don't have anything to lose..and I've also heard many people need to install directx 9 on Vista to play some directx 9 games. Like for example FEAR I'm almost positive you have to download directx 9 to play.. Did the game prompt you to install directx 9? I had the regular Ts2 DVD edition and it's been so long I can't even remember if it prompted or not.. I hope you can figure out the problem without a clean install, but at least that has a good chance of fixing it. I would be beating my head against the wall if I was in your position LOL

 

I did it. I did everything recommended. I had dx9 installed from The Witcher before too.

Actually, if I think about it for a second, I've checked every piece of hardware:
1. It still crashes with a no-dvd crack, so it's not the dvd drive.
2. I've tried 3 different video drivers, and my GPU is fine. So it's not that.
3. I've tried -nosound to rule out a sound card problem, still didn't work.
4. HDD, RAM, and Processor are obviously fine.
5. I have dx10 and dx9. The Witcher plays fine.
6. Only AV is Avast, using Vista firewall for the moment. Turned both off. Nothing.
7. It's not Vista, as the game runs on Vista machines.

So, it may be the G1s, but only after a while. What does the G1s have/do that other computers don't?

 

Maybe there's some sort of preinstalled software that's causing a conflict.. that would explain why the clean install fixes it for other people. I mean I dunno. The game really should work with all you've done. Do you have another computer to install the game on? Maybe the game is bad... Those are the last two things I can think of.

 

Maybe you could try installing and running the game on another PC or laptop? Just to check if your disc is bad or if the problem is really limited to your laptop.
Some virtual disc software also conflicts with DRM, but I guess you know that. The only thing I can think of now is just trying another system to see if it works.
Have you tried compatibility mode? Could work maybe.

 

Different games use different DX9 librarys, just because you have the one from the witcher, doesn't mean that you have the older librarys for TS2.
The games only install the ones that particular game needs.

ALso, some times TS2 will default to settings that your display or system doesn't support, I don't think it would cause crashing, but it is a problem that many people have had, and I don't think there is a fix to it..

 

Somehow EA has a history of messing things up with compilations. I remember that Command & Conquer The First Decade was pretty broken out of the box. Movies were missing and the sound was awkward. Took them several patches to fix it and even now it's iffy. I've you send your units to the top left of a map most games in the collection crash.

 

Well, you can call it confirmed that the Sims 2 only runs on a G1s after a clean install. No clue what program or setting causes the conflict, since all programs and settings are the same between this "new" clean install, and my "old" clean install. Weird.

For everyone who posted, thanks for the help.

 

Wow.. well thanks for the info. That's really good to know.. and glad you got it working!

 

my question to you lithus is why the hell are you playing the sims 2? are you a chick in desguise or do you have no purpose in life? or are you punishing yourself??????

but the sims??????? may as well play wow the rest of your life........

 

1. If I were a chick, why would I wear a disguise? Are women afraid that other people will find out their deep, dirty secret that they're female?

2. Punishing. I've sinned greatly.

3. I needed to find a casual game that I could play and put down easily. I also wanted a game with a lot of replay value. That pretty much ruled out 90% of the male games out there. I was getting sick of Minesweeper (seriously, no joke, I have a 69% win ratio at ~300 total games), and I didn't want to pay $50 for a new game. So it was either The Sims, or Peggle.

 

Strange that it only works after a clean install, but good to hear that you got it running!

 

There is a patch, vista told me about it when i installed the game, I will try to find the link to it

 

http://thesims2.ea.com/update/

 

Great to hear that it works. It sucks when you can't just sit down and enjoy a game.

I know you can get pretty sadistic in the Sims towards your Sim and the Sims around him. Cause accidents and fights. I stopped after SimCity 2000. After awhile it got boring and I just hit the disaster button for the fun of it...

 

The Deluxe Edition comes fully patched. There is a patch for the original Sims 2, but the Deluxe Edition comes with that patch already on the disc.

 

Hay I have a similar problem with 'The Sims 2 Special DVD edition'. It installs fine then when you start it it says that there are know compadibility issues with your OS (Windows Vista) and when you click on the find solution option it tells you to download latest patch. Now this is the problem when installing the update patch it gets an error about 10 seconds in and exits. So I gave up on this and just ran sims anyway. It didn't start (Unspecified Error). I run as administator and it worked. But now it gets to the EA splash screen like your problem and freezes! I have no idea whats wrong. I have a new Acer Aspire 4520 laptop that I just got for xmas and it has 1GB mem, 120GB HHD, AMD Turion Duel Core 1.8 GHz processor so I don't think my stat can't haddle it. I also have DirectX 9 and 10. I'm running in compadibility mode (with XP SP2) and with admin privledges. I can't remember anything else but I have tried everything, any help would be great. (Sorry about my spelling)

 

You need the patch for the Special DVD edition to work properly in Vista. The Deluxe version comes fully patched, so your problems were not the same. However, TS2 is Vista compatible and there is no need to run in the compatibility mode. Yeah..your specs are low. It would be better if you had 2gb ram and at leat 2.0ghz cpu.. but it should at least load.. unless.. Oh no I looked it up you do.. you have 7000M gpu? According to this website it says that's what the graphics in your Acer is. Sorry that gpu is not compatible with TS2. You can try doing the patch but you may never get it to run..

If you can't get the patch to work then you might try uninstalling and then reinstalling the game. Also verify you're trying to install the correct patch:
http://thesims2.ea.com/update/getpatch.php?appVersion=1.0&variation=dvd&languageCode=

No expansion packs installed right?

That's about all you can do but like I said TS2 does not like the Nvidia 7000 and 6000 series mobile gpus. That coupled with the weak CPU and low ram and I will be surprised if you can get this game to work decently.

 

Yes I have NVIDIA 7000m so is there anyway to fix this with a patch or anything? I have already uninstalled and reinstalled TS2 and patch still does same thing. No I don't have any expansions.

 

No there is no fix for those cards, I'm sorry to say.


As for your patch, I'm sorry I'm not really sure why it's not installing properly. Maybe someone else knows more about that sort of thing.. But you're sure you were running the DVD patch I linked to above right? There are lots of patches and even two different ones for the orignal game depending on if you got the CD or DVD version.

 

Yea I got the DVD one not the CD one but no it doesn't work. So there is no possible way to get TS2 to work with NVIDIA GeForce 7000m at all?

 

No, not at this time there's not, sorry. The 6000 and 7000 Nvidia mobile cards are not compatible with TS2.. even the higher end cards. Best case scenario is inconsistent freezing and crashing, to many various degrees. If the GPU is indeed what is causing your game not to load, there is no fix for it. But you have many factors going on there.. the fact you don't have the patch, the weak CPU (TS2 cannot make use of the dual core technology so it's important to have at least a 2.0ghz cpu to try to run it. a 2ghz P4 would run the game better than your current amd processor) and lowish ram is also not helping anything.

 

Hold on I googled sims 2 and 7000m and I got a page with video card problems and it said this:

PROBLEM: Game crashes soon after starting.
Some recent NVIDIA drivers have problems when running when Hyperthreading is enabled on your processor. Try updating your driver first. If this doesn't help, turning off Hyperthreading in your BIOS will workaround this issue. If you have no idea what Hyperthreading or BIOS is, it's probably not worth messing around with this stuff. Contact your video card manufacturer for assistance.

Would this help?

EDIT: Also I just tried the BONUS disk and it worked fine. Though this might be due to the fact it was in Media Player. Just thought i'd let you know.

 

Your processor does not have hyperthreading. You can try updating your driver, if Acer has provided one. Look on their website under support and downloads. It's worth a shot, but there really is no fix for incompatiblity with those mobile series gpu. And like I said, that's not the only problem with the hardware on your computer. Your CPU is under the minimum system requirements to run that game in Vista, and your ram barely meets minimums. You still need to get that patch too..

 

Thats weird dude, I just installed that exact game today and it worked great.

 

Hi all,

I have a similar problem again. Installed Sims 2. Splash screen comes up and then the message "The application has crashed. The application will now terminate"
I've been to lots of forums and tried running with UAC off and setting it to run as administrator. Getting directX 9 and updates. I've installed the latest patch for Sims 2 from the EA website. Tried reinstalling...... Nothing makes it better.
I'm running Vista home edition. I have an Acer aspire 5050, AMD Turion 2GHz and 1G RAM.
Is this just a case of I don't have the right graphics card or my laptop isn't up to running Sims 2?????

Any help would be great as I'm slowly giving up!

Nyssa

 

Way to be a total dick.

Why do you have crappy punctuation and spelling? Are you a llama in disguise or something? Or do you have no purpose in life?

You are **** lucky my girlfriend doesn't read these forums and know your address.