Anyone in a situation to use the -w switch on a graphics card that is not supported by the Sims 2?
 
or how about using 3danalyze Software T&L?
 
Would test these myself but am currently visiting my parents.

i don't play sims 2 but after seeing all these problems I wanted to see what the fuss is all about and did a few searches. here is what the german sims2 support site has to say about the directx 9 graphic problem....translated by me
 
first, please make sure that your graphic card is supported in sims 2 and that you are using the newest drivers for your graphic card
 
ATI Radeon Series (7000 or better)
- Radeon 7000/VE Series (no Hardware T&L, 2.0 GHz Processor needed)
- 7200, 7500
- 8500, All-In-Wonder 8500
- 9000, 9200, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800
- X300, X600, X800
 
Nvidia Quadro Series
- Quadro, Quadro2, Quadro4
 
Nvidia GeForce Series (GeForce 2 or better)
- GeForce2
- GeForce3, 3 Ti
- GeForce4, 4Ti, MX 420, 440
- GeForce FX 5200, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 5950
- GeForce 6600, 6800
 
Intel Extreme Graphics (no Hardware T&L, 2.0 GHz Processor needed)
- 82845, 82865, 82915
 
drivers:
ATI Graphic cards -> http://www.ati.com
Nvidia Graphic cards -> http://www.nvidia.com
Intel Graphic cards -> http://www.intel.com
 
 
if you are playing on a notebook you will find the actual drivers for your graphic card on the website from your notebook manufacturer
 
if you are using a refresh rate tool (e.g. Refreshlock) please
deactivate it before starting sims 2!!
 
 
 

and here is what they have to say about the dvd emulation problems:
 
check the following:
 
1. the cd/dvd is in your cd/dvd player ; )
2. make sure that you have no virtual "drive" software installed
(e.g. Daemon-Tools, Clone CD or Alcohol 120%)
 
 
when you have done that and you still have problems then:
 
turn of the DMA mode on your cd/dvd player.
to do that do the following:
 
Win 9x/ME:
 
1. right mouse click on My Computer and click properties
 
2. change to the tab "Device Manager"
 
3. open the device manager and navigate to your DVD/CD-ROM
and click on the "+"
 
4. right mouse click on your DVD/CD-ROM and choose properties
 
5. check if you have DMA Transfer Mode (or something like that)
checked and if so uncheck it!
 
6. click ok and then start the pc new
 
Windows XP:
 
1. click on "Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Hardware ->
Device Manager"
 
2. open the Device Manager and navigate to the entry "ide Controller"
 
3. right mouse click on the channel on which your DVD/CD-Rom (Primary or Secondary depending on which controller
your CD/DVD-ROM is) and choose properties.
 
4. Check if your CD/DVD-ROM is running in DMA or PIO mode and change if needed to PIO
 
5. confirm with ok and restart
 
--------------------------------------------------------------
personally i would not be willing to change to pio mode. i personally would try setting up a new hardware profile which
i could boot when i want to play the game rather than switching
to pio mode.....phoooey!
--------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
you should also install the follwing patches to fix this problem:
 
 
For Windows 98 and Me - Install the newest version of DCOM http://www.microsoft.com/com/dcom/dcom98/download.asp
 
For Windows XP - Install the Safedisc Patch: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?releaseid=35831
 
For Windows 2000 - Install the Safedisc Patch: http://www.macrovision.com/products/safedisc/downloads.shtml
 
----------------------------------------------------------------
now i would personally try installing the patches before turning off dma mode but hey...this is only the translation.
----------------------------------------------------------------
 
close all background programs or services except the following:
 
Windows 98/ME Required Processes
---------------------------------
Explorer
Systray
 
 
Windows XP / 2000 Required Processes
---------------------------------
system
smss.exe
csrss.exe
winlogon.exe
services.exe
lsass.exe
svchost.exe (when open more than once then leave it!)
Explorer
spoolsv.exe
 
press CTL + ALT + DEL and you can close the open processes in Task Manager
 
now when you have done all of this and it still does not work and you DO have the cd emulation programs installed like Daemon-Tools
they recommend de-installing said programs.
----------------------------------------------------------
seems like a lotta trouble to go through to play a game...
i hope this helps and please excuse any mistakes in the translation ..i don't have an english version of windows ..only english linux ; )

A friend of mine asked me to help him with this "DirectX9 Sims2 problem". I told him that his graphics card was too old. So he bought a new one (Geforce 5200). I installed the card and the drivers for him. Checked the DirectX version. Still didn't work.
 
So I tried a few of the solutions posted here. Still didn't work. And then suddenly I just found the easiest fix. (I knew something was wrong when I ran 'dxdiag' and the Display tab showed no Direct3D support.) In the display properties dialog (you can find it in the control panel) there is a section called Troubleshooting. (Or Performance in Win98, I think.) This is under the Advanced settings. You get there by:
 
-Opening the Control panel
-Double-click Display
-Go to Settings
-Click Advanced
 
Now you should see the Troubleshooting tab (or Performance tab on Win98). On this tab there is a slider. Make sure it is set to maximum.
 
Click OK until you're back to the desktop. You might need to reboot your computer.
 
Launch Sims2 and have fun.
 
I hope this helps a few of you out there.

First av all sorry for my english .....
 
I had the same problem with DirectX9o.c and the RADEON 9200 SE on a win98 SE.
The grafic card is supported by the game as we know, but when I started the sims 2 this window pop up:
 
Failed to find any Direct X 9.0c compatible grapics adapters in this system! Please make sure you have Direct X 9.0c compatible graphics adapter and have installed the latest drivers provided by the manufacturer. The application will now terminate.
 
 
When I started the diagnostic for the DirectX i could see the error that the Direct3D was not activated.
 
I did a lot of things fore I got the solution but to make this short .... I did update the Via KT600 chip with the last version "4 in 1 driver" and now the game works just fine!!!!
 
Hope this will help some of you

Hello everyone, I also have bought this sims 2 for my pc. And everyday since christmas have been re-running, upgrading, checking, downloading and re-installing so many things i just wanna throw my computer away. Nothing and i mean nothing has worked. I can start the game and pic the scenerio to play but as soon as the screen gets to the neighborhoods and it's time to play, i keep getting a blue screen that says my nvidia fx 5200 graphics card is causing an error, something about a physical memmory dump. SO FRUSTERATED!!!!! and of course i e-mailed ea games tech support, im on the 4th day with no response....where are they?, why did they make this game if they aren't going to post the updates?
 
I am running windows XP (service pack 2)
512 mb ram, A NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200, with and authentic AMD athlon thunderbird 1000 Mhz cpu. I also have a creative sound blaster pci sound card.
 
P.s. All hardware has been upgraded. Even the bios for the main board. I don't understand, if anyone can help plz let me know.

Originally posted by thatsteveguy:

Quote:Hey dosfreak, mind if I make a recommendation for your thread header here. Can you ask them to also post their system specifications. As you can see there are allready quite a few posts with TOO LITTLE information in order for us to help them properly. 
Also for anyone else posting a problem please let us know what kind of computer you have, what type of video card, how much ram, what type of sound card (that means 'On Board sound' or a seperate sound card ..IE soundblaster audigy etc).
We cannot help if all you tell us is the game goes all funny what do I do??!!!!!
 
so if you have posted allready please provide the info I just asked for and you will have more chance that someone will help.
 
thanks
S
Hello everyone, I also have bought this sims 2 for my pc. And everyday since christmas have been re-running, upgrading, checking, downloading and re-installing so many things i just wanna throw my computer away. Nothing and i mean nothing has worked. I can start the game and pic the scenerio to play but as soon as the screen gets to the neighborhoods and it's time to play, i keep getting a blue screen that says my nvidia fx 5200 graphics card is causing an error, something about a physical memmory dump. SO FRUSTERATED!!!!! and of course i e-mailed ea games tech support, im on the 4th day with no response....where are they?, why did they make this game if they aren't going to post the updates?
 
I am running windows XP (service pack 2)
512 mb ram, A NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200, with and authentic AMD athlon thunderbird 1000 Mhz cpu. I also have a creative sound blaster pci on board sound.
 
P.s. All hardware has been upgraded. Even the bios for the main board. I don't understand, if anyone can help plz let me know.
 

Hi jayp2083
 
Do you have any other problems with your computer? Do other applications or games crash or is it just Sims2 that causes the bluescreen?
 
Do you know what chipset your motherboard has? Also, do you have any other pci/isa cards in your computer?

Post the BSOD error and mabye we can figure it out.

Originally posted by sparvo:

Quote:First av all sorry for my english ..... 
I had the same problem with DirectX9o.c and the RADEON 9200 SE on a win98 SE.
The grafic card is supported by the game as we know, but when I started the sims 2 this window pop up:
 
Failed to find any Direct X 9.0c compatible grapics adapters in this system! Please make sure you have Direct X 9.0c compatible graphics adapter and have installed the latest drivers provided by the manufacturer. The application will now terminate.
 
 
When I started the diagnostic for the DirectX i could see the error that the Direct3D was not activated.
 
I did a lot of things fore I got the solution but to make this short .... I did update the Via KT600 chip with the last version "4 in 1 driver" and now the game works just fine!!!!
 
Hope this will help some of you
 
 
This card is supported however a 9200 se card is only a Direct x 8.1 card and does not support the DX9 pipleline
 
 
here is a handy guide for all those wanting to know what your card supports and what it does not
 
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031229/index.html
 
S

Originally posted by mnas:

Quote:Hi jayp2083 
Do you have any other problems with your computer? Do other applications or games crash or is it just Sims2 that causes the bluescreen?
 
Do you know what chipset your motherboard has? Also, do you have any other pci/isa cards in your computer?
 
x) hhhmmm, i have a gigabyte mainboard (GA-7ZX,(rev. 5.0), I have a supraMax 56I modem pci card by blue sonic, and the error causes my computer to re-boot instantly i don't know how to get that info. I have no other problems with my pc, or other games...i have all of the sims games, making magic on down they all work. My motherboard has a via VT8363/skt133/km133, but it says it's a kt133 via chip-set. Other than that the only other thing is the nvidia graphics card, Geforce FX 5200.

 
I have been attempting to run SIM2 since Christmas. I have more than recommended system requirements, and I am still having problems.
 
I have talked to both EA Games and ATI (Radeon) about my issues, but neither can offer a solution - very strange.... The best they can offer is "Download the latest drivers" - which I have done.
 
With regards to the DirectX problems... I have found that if the acceleration speed on my graphics card is set too low (say, to BASIC, as what was recommended by EA Games) I get the DirectX error. If I incease the speed to "FULL" acceleration - the error goes away. The game need to use it, so the system must have it activated to work.
 
If you get past that error, and actually get into the game, perhaps you can help me solve the problem I am having with missing textures and anomolous flashing lines everywhere.
 
Thanks.
 
 
 

After I installed the SIMS 2. When it trys to load, I get the error message of "The Application has crashed, The Application will now terminate." I have looked through the forums to see if there is anything like that and I did not see anything, But if i missed it, I am sorry for repeating this question, I am very frustrated And am in need of some help if anyone knows what can be done to help this error, I will also add the system info, My Pc is well equiped to handle this game.
 
If anyone can help me with this, I would greatly appreciate it
Thanks to all that help others here, and gets nothing in return. You are some great people.
Stormy04
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 12/30/2004, 02:49:17
Machine name: RENAY
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 1 (2600.xpsp2.040919-1003)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: n/a
System Model: n/a
BIOS: Award Medallion BIOS v6.0
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 1800+, ~1.5GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 145MB used, 1200MB 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
 
------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: 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: RADEON 9200 PRO (Omega 2.5.97a)
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc. (Omega 2.5.97a)
Chip type: RADEON 9200 Series AGP (0x5960)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5960&SUBSYS_40541458&REV_01
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Dell E771p
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6497 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 11/30/2004 18:12:50, 221184 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 12/14/2004 14:51:50, 873984 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1A20-11CF-896E-5E60A0C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x5960
SubSys ID: 0x40541458
Revision ID: 0x0001
Revision ID: 0x0001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) 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
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) 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: VIA Audio (WAVE)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3058&SUBSYS_11061043&REV_50
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: ac97via.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.3622 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 8/28/2002 14:00:56, 84480 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
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 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2 Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura ZoomFX: No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run
 
Description: Modem #0 Line Playback (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID:
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Type: Emulated
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files:
Driver Provider:
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 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2 Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura ZoomFX: No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run
 
---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: VIA Audio (WAVE)
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: ac97via.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.3622 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 8/28/2002 14:00:56, 84480 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x0
Format Flags: 0x0
 
Description: Modem #0 Line Record (emulated)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
Date and Size:
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
VIA MIDI External Port, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
VIA MIDI External Port, Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
VIA Audio (WAVE), Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
VIA MIDI External Port [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
VIA MIDI External Port [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

HI
 
nobody2341
 
 
I had the same damn problem...
 
I have the dvd edition, i dont know i you have it but the cd should be fine.
 
ok
whaen the message popped up i simply went: my coputer,dvd dreve right click and selected open. then brouse trough it untill you find its own thingnie dvd edition has the derex there is a setup in there .
 
DON"T just left clic on on if you do that you will just open the auto.
 
 
That solved the problem for me
 

http://www.ntcompatible.com/thread28858-1.html
 
Another good thread with suggestions.

Hi Dosfreak. I went and read all the other thread also about my problem and I cant seem to see anything with the problem i am having, If you know of anyone or have read anyone that has had the same problem, I would greatly appreciate it if there is any way you could point me in that direction, Since my last post, I have updated my graphics card and my VIA Chipset. I have been also going back and forth with EA about all this, But it seems that they know just about the same as I do about the error. I have seen you post all the boards and help alot of members, thanks for taking your free time to help us that dont know much at all and look for help
 
Any help at all would be greatly appreaciated.
Stormy

Hi,
I am having the same problem as most people here are and I am woundering if installing that thing on something homes I think would do anything to my computer 'cause I am not the most knowledgeable person about computers.

Alright....I've ready everyone else's problems and mine is different. I have windows XP...the game installed fine and played fine for a little while...now it loads and freezes and I have to turn off the power and try again.
 
The error report is saying something about RADEON IGP 320M is the problem. I don't even know what that means, but it's ticking me off.
 
Actually I don't really know how to work these types of sites either so if you could email it to me, that would be great. My email address is andrea_huddleston@yahoo.com.
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from you soon....
 
 

Originally posted by boredinbelding82:

Quote:Alright....I've ready everyone else's problems and mine is different. I have windows XP...the game installed fine and played fine for a little while...now it loads and freezes and I have to turn off the power and try again.  
The error report is saying something about RADEON IGP 320M is the problem. I don't even know what that means, but it's ticking me off.
 
Actually I don't really know how to work these types of sites either so if you could email it to me, that would be great. My email address is andrea_huddleston@yahoo.com.
 
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Hope to hear from you soon....
 

 
 
Hmmm, a little more info on the error would be helpful.
 
If the game loads and the freezes it possibly points to heat/memory issues....but if you are getting an error about your RADEON then it's hard to say without knowing what exactly the error said. I'm guessing this is a laptop? I wonder if the integrated Radeon has temperature monitoring capabilities......
 
Best guess for now would be to install the latest drivers for the Radeon.

OK, so I too am getting the same DirectX 9.0c message that everyone else is getting. I have tried just about everything that everyone has said to do. I can't get TS2 to work. I am dying to play this.
 
Here are the specs for my computer:
 
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Intel Celeron Processor 1 GHz (w/128KB)
Intel 810 Chipset, 100 MHz FSB
20 GB HDD
128 MB SDRAM
56K* ITU v.92 ready PCI internal Fax/Modem
12x Max. Write CD-RW Drive; 3.5" 1.44MB FDD
Keyboard, Mouse, Stereo Speakers
2 USB ports (1 on front bezel), 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Audio In & Out, 1 Midi/Game on front bezel, Mic-In & Head Phone jack on front
Intel 82801 AC '97 Audio
Intel DirectAGP 3D (810 shared)
 
Do I have the right specs? I would almost rather hear that I don't and that I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to installing this game. If I do have the right specs how do I fix this problem short of throwing my computer out of a window and buying a new one?
 
SOMEONE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!
;(