***Update!***

I got sad when I saw this page had been viewed 40 times, with no responses...sorry for my impatience. But I went ahead with an uninstall/registry clean/reinstall and the base game just loaded fine. I think it'll probably work now.

I'll let you know if it doesn't ;-)

******

Hi there!

I have been using radeonpro for months to try to limit the framerate (although, no matter what I do, it sticks to 60fps. I wanted it lower but that wasn't urgent.)
A few days ago I started turning off my wireless adapter before loading the game, and had no problems.

Today I tried to clean up my machine using advanced systemcare, as reccommended here:
http://modthesims.info/t/473714
I ran the scan, turned on the game boost, and also added FPS limiter 0.2 to try and get the fps lower (so my card wouldn't have to work as hard). I also downloaded razer gameboost but didn't run it when it turned out to require a login to do anything.
I also changed the language to Italian! That may have damaged something. But S3LC doesn't seem like a complex program.


My game was fine for about 30 sim minutes, then I looked outside (in the game). All the buildings were totally normal but the trees had significant artifacts (much like this: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...tsky/block1.jpg ) and the cpu temperatures were in the 80s (celsius). So I quit the game, but ever since have been getting a black screen for a few seconds, followed by an error message [except for once, just after I started a clean game (by renaming the my documents\ea\the sims 3 folder). But then I broke it again by not leaving well enough alone and continuing to tinker with the fps/vsync settings in various programs.]




Here's what's happening at the moment.

I get the following crash on startup:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: TS3W.exe
Application Version: 0.2.0.209
Application Timestamp: 52d872da
Fault Module Name: TS3W.exe
Fault Module Version: 0.2.0.209
Fault Module Timestamp: 52d872da
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 000fe2a7
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 5129
Additional Information 1: 044f
Additional Information 2: 044f5d804e095772eddecffc100bd7ae
Additional Information 3: b8d5
Additional Information 4: b8d56f48281a478a21f3b9ba8201f9a8








I have a bunch of error logs all giving me this:

[Build info]
Application: Sims3
BuildTime: 2014-01-16-1625
BuildUser: slcbuilder
BuildHost: SLC1-BUILD111
BuildConfig: Release
BuldVersion: 0.2.0.209
Commandline: C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe


[System info]
Computer name: REBREVE
Computer DNS name: reBreve
User name: Katie
EA_PLATFORM: Windows on X86
OS name: Windows Vista Note: This is REALLY WEIRD because I am running Windows 7. System info is included below if you want to double-check!
OS version number: 6.1.7601
OS service pack: Service Pack 1
Debugger present: no
CPU count: 4
Processor type: x86
Processor level: 6
Processor revision: 10759
Memory load: 33%
Total physical memory: 8154 Mb
Available physical memory: 5438 Mb
Total page file memory: 16307 Mb
Available page file memory: 13235 Mb
Total virtual memory: 4095 Mb
Free virtual memory: 3437 Mb

[Application info]
Language: C++
Compiler: Microsoft Visual C++ compiler, version 1400
App path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe
App version: 0.2.0.209

[Exception info]
date: 2014-04-13
time: 18.57.48
type: ACCESS_VIOLATION reading address 0x00000000
address: 0x004fe2a7 "C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe":0x0001:0x000fd2a7

[Call stack]
Callstack not available






So I went through the FAQs.
http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php..._3_Game_Problem

Is my computer strong enough? I have all the expansions but none of the stuff packs.

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 4/13/2014, 21:06:08
Machine name: REBREVE
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130828-1532)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
System Model: Satellite L850
BIOS: InsydeH2O Version 03.72.011.60
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2450M CPU @ 2.50GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8154MB RAM
Page File: 2589MB used, 13718MB available
Windows Dir: C:\windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

Display Devices
---------------
Card name: AMD Radeon HD 7670M
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x6840)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6840&SUBSYS_FB221179&REV_00
Display Memory: 4095 MB
Dedicated Memory: 2025 MB
Shared Memory: 2070 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: LGD02DC
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (59.996Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1114 (English)
Driver Version: 8.932.5.3000
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 1/20/2012 23:30:54, 933888 bytes

Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0269&SUBSYS_1179FC14&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.6559 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 2/1/2012 14:14:04, 4739304 bytes

Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 412.3 GB
Total Space: 701.4 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: TOSHIBA MK7575GSX


I know it's not ideal but it worked for a long time (almost two years) on low settings with good ventilation and regular breaks.
Next step:
1. Delete cache files. No joy.
2. Remove custom content and delete cache files. Still no joy.
3. Rename user files: game loaded the first time I did this. But did I stop tinkering? Of course not! Fool. Now it does nothing. NOTHING.

On to the crashing checklist. http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php...ing%20Checklist

A: Custom Content.
Redid numbers 1-4, no joy.
5. DEP fix. Have applied this. Game still won't load.
6. [for MACs]
7. Downloaded, installed and ran CCleaner. No luck.
8. I've been bypassing the laucher for years, but nonetheless, opened up explorer and started the game directly from TS3W instead of using the shortcut on my desktop. Nope!
9. Tweaked the options file. Now the black screen that shows for a few seconds while it thinks about loading appears in windowed mode. So it did something. But it still won't load the game.

B: Patching/Installs.
I haven't installed anything since Into the Future last November. Given the events of today I doubt it is to do with this. I am hoping I won't have to reinstall everything!

C: System related.
I checked for driver updates, windows updates...I'm reasonably sure that my software is up to date. And, I hadn't just updated anything important. As noted above I had run computer-cleanup programs, so I think this section is the root of my problems, but it's not an outdated driver.

No new graphics card.
Internet/Avast off.
No disc-spinning sounds.
Lots of reboots.

D: Information to include.
I have all expansion but no stuff packs. Fully patched to 1.67.
I haven't attempted a reinstall because I'm hoping I won't have to. That's my next option, if this fails.
I've applied the DEP fix, used CCleaner, and rebooted.
I've tweaked the Options.ini file.

Crash occurs before the initial "Maxis" animation. I get a blank screen for a few seconds before the AppCrash error message.

What changed? A combination of settings in the game, radeonpro, advanced systemcare, fpslimiter 0.2. Also the language - changed to italian.

No new sims software or hardware.

And...I tried to run the crash log analyser, but guess what? That crashes too!

Problem Event Name: CLR20r3
Problem Signature 01: ts3cla.exe
Problem Signature 02: 2.9.3.0
Problem Signature 03: 52e546f9
Problem Signature 04: TS3Lib
Problem Signature 05: 2.5.15.0
Problem Signature 06: 52e546d9
Problem Signature 07: ac
Problem Signature 08: 63
Problem Signature 09: A4DH5WWIWWW1YJTMP0C0KV4ZWCALU4IN
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 5129
Additional Information 1: dbf8
Additional Information 2: dbf8663c220ef0bf1c57544dee05a35b
Additional Information 3: 1d56
Additional Information 4: 1d564e119d53950b7bb70b48e0983c9f


...help?

Thanks heaps in advance :D

Your specs appear to be ok, not great but should be playable. Your audio and video drivers are from 2012 and should be updated. If you are going to reinstall, make sure you get rid of everything before reinstalling, this might mean manual removal. See the guide below if you have any questions:

1. Whether you are Installing for the first time or Reinstalling, be sure to read the Game Help:Install^wiki FAQ.
   -
2. This Game_Help:TS3_Uninstall^wiki link has the step-by-step instructions to guide you through uninstalling The Sims 3,
   and its (EP/SP) packs. As well as removing any leftovers after uninstalling.
   -
3. The Game_Help:TS3_Patching^wiki Guide provides information on:
   • Tips Before You Begin
   • Patching Common Errors
   • Manual Patch Downloads
   • Invalid File Errors and more

Thanks - I've reinstalled successfully. I looked at the driver dates and yes, they are from 2012, but when I right-click on them in device manager and say "update drivers" it tells me they're already up to date?!

Never use the device manager or windows update to update drivers, it's best to go to your video or audio website and download the drivers yourself, then update