Sims 3 + 3 EP's Crashing - Game Launcher or Computer Not Strong?

[PrincessLexi84]

I just installed the Sims 3 and the 3 EP's onto my computer this weekend - I'm trying to follow all the information out there on solving this problem - I would like to know if my computer is strong enough to support the Sims 3 + 3 EP's - the Sims 3 game launcher keeps flashing not working and then says game launcher has stopped working - the sims 3 still loads up and about 5 minutes into actual game play it crashes to a blue screen in which i think it's telling me to check the software - never seen the screen ever before - i have to restart the computer etc... - i checked online and i would like to know if my computer is strong enough to support the sims 3 plus the 3 EP's - i've tried to follow the guidelines and collected all the computers information - thanks for any help

I have deleted the only 2 mods I had in the game - these were correctly installed and taken out
I have deleted cache files
Turned DEP off - Sims 3 + 3 EP's
Versions I am running are
The Sims 3 - 1.19.44.010001
World Adventures 2.0.86.002001
Ambitions 4.0.87.006001
Late Night 6.2.4.010001

Below is a sample 'form' you can use to help you out. You'll need to copy and paste the entire template below, and fill it in.
==System==
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.101014-0432)
System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Model Inspiron 530
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 3060MB RAM
Page File: 1410MB used, 4925MB available
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
==Display==
Name: Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) GMA 3100
Approx. Total Memory: - display memory - 286 mb - dedicated memory - 0 mb - shared memory - 286 mb
Main Driver: driver name? igdumd32.dll
Version: 7.14.0010.1437 (English)
Driver Date: 2/11/2008 19:36:08, 3301376 bytes

==Sound==
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver Name: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5555 (English)
Date: 1/24/2008 11:06:40, 2054872 bytes

==Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives==
Drive: C:
Free Space: 106.7 GB
Total Space: 295.0 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD3200AAKS-75VYA0 ATA Device

[werismyki]

General - Check Temps
In some cases, game bugs/crashes/general computer issues can be caused by your computer overheating. To ascertain whether or not overheating is a cause of your problem, please follow these steps:

Firstly, download and install HWMonitor (http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html). Run the program - you should see lots of numbers; if you don't know what any of them mean, don't worry - you don't have to. :)

With HWMonitor running, use your computer normally for twenty or thirty minutes - no games, just browsing the web, using IM, playing minesweeper etc - and at the end of the twenty or thirty minutes, take a screenshot of the HWMonitor window and save it.

Then do the same again, keeping HWMonitor open, while you play Sims for twenty to thirty minutes. If your game is crashing before the thirty minutes is up, just play until it crashes. If your computer is freezing, shutting down, or restarting itself, play for as long as you think you can before the freeze/shutdown/reboot, then quit the game. Take another screenshot of the HWMonitor window.

Finally, attach both screenshots to a post in this thread - you can upload them to photobucket or tinypic etc, or you can hit "Go Advanced" in the Quick Reply box and use manage attachments to upload them to MTS.


General - Integrated Graphics
The reason for your issue is that your computer doesn't meet the minimum requirements to play TS2/TS3.
In particular, you don't actually have a graphics card - you have integrated graphics, which is just a chip on your motherboard. Most laptops come with integrated graphics, as do some desktops; and while salesmen often claim that integrated graphics chips are just as good as real graphics cards, they're not.

Integrated graphics chips are designed for people who just use their computers to read email, type up documents, and play minesweeper - they are not suitable for high stress games like TS2/TS3. At the very least, playing TS2/TS3 with integrated graphics will mean the game looks terrible; at the worst, you could permanently damage your computer.
If you have integrated graphics, the other requirements - particularly minimum processor speed - go up to compensate. You can see the increases here (http://sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:System_Requirements), under "If you have a non-T&L capable video card...".

This FAQ contains tips on things you can do to improve your gameplay, and prolong the life of the integrated chip: Game Help:Onboard Graphics
This is MTS's recommended minimum system specs
for each EP/SP in The Sims 2: Game Help:System Requirements/MTS2 Recommendations

for The Sims 3: Game_Help:TS3_System_RequirementsBe aware that, even if you follow all the tips in the above article, you will probably have to upgrade or replace your computer to alleviate all problems.


The general consensus is: 3GB of RAM is the minimum to run the game efficiently, while 4GB is recommended. However, you have an integrated video chipset with drivers that are nearly 3 years old. You should not be playing the game on that system. If it's a desktop you should look for a dedicated video card, if it's a laptop, you probably wont have that option.

Further reading:
Game Help:TS3 System Requirements
Game Help:Your Computer is Like a Car
Game Help:Improving Sims 3 Performance

[PrincessLexi84]

Okay, so if I go to the store and buy a newer graphics card, more ram and a dedicated video card I can run the games on my pc...i just bought this computer 3 yrs ago and don't have the funds to buy a new one...thanks for your help...