I've searched through the archives using different word combos, but I haven't found this problem posted for Sims 3.

The water in all the ponds is white. From a distance they look fine, but as soon as I get close, they become white. I can still see some water movement, faint ripples and a brighter flash from a sun reflection, but the ponds look like they're filled with milk.

The pools and fountains look ok, though.

I've had issues with the game before, but they've all been addressed, and I removed CC I was able to identify as problematic. I'm just playing the base game on an Asus laptop with Windows Vista.

Any ideas or suggestions?

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Do you have any of those lighting, sky, camera, water, etc, .ini file hacks?

TinkerBellLvr,
if you need help with your own game, start your own thread as stated in the Sticky. Otherwise, please keeps posts on-topic on helping the OP solve their game problems, thanks.

Can you post a screenshot, dianebk? I my game, the water is noticeably more white-ish and cloudy in 1.12 than in one of the earlier versions (I never did a direct comparison, this is just from memory) so what you're seeing there might be completely normal.

Attached. Also, I have none of those hacks.

Plasticbox, the water is milk. As in, Bessie went to town. Nothing normal about it, that's for sure.

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==System==
* Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.100218-0019)
* System Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
* System Model: N80Vb
* Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T5800 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
* Memory: 4094MB RAM
* Page File: 1931MB used, 6432MB available
* DirectX Version: DirectX 11

==Display==
* Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
* Manufacturer: NVIDIA
* Chip Type: GeForce 9300M GS
* Approx. Total Memory: Display Memory: 2289 MB; Dedicated Memory: 497 MB; Shared Memory: 1791 MB
* Main Driver: vd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
* Version: 8.15.0011.8631 (English)
* Driver Date: 7/2/2009 01:59:00, 9480192 bytes

==Sound==
* Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
* Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
* Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5645 (English)
* Date: 7/2/2008 22:05:12, 1475352 bytes

==Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives==
* Drive: C:
* Free Space: 58.2 GB
* Total Space: 119.2 GB
* File System: NTFS
* Model: ST9250827AS

Last edited by ellacharm3d : 1st Jul 2010 at 5:37 AM. Reason: appended specs to save my sanity

The graphic drivers are pretty outdated. If after updating, the effects stays the same, we're gonna need to see pics for reference.
winvista-64bit-257.21-whql. Read and follow instructions on that page for a hassle-free updating experience. Note that this driver may disable any media buttons on the laptop as it is not certified by Asus. Asus last updated the support page for this laptop model in 2008.

The GPU can be considered an entry-level tech for the 9x00 series, as you can see from Game_Help:TS3_System_Requirements^wiki, 9300(M) is the first in the series that EA listed. Staff's recommendation tagged the discrete desktop 9400 card as a "Maybe".

The computer overall meets the minimum specs, with the CPU just barely meeting it, RAM is good, and with a laptop, overheating is also something to look out for.

The white water may be the first artifacts you're seeing that may signify the card is getting fried. What settings are the graphical options on? Have you tweaked them to see if the effects can be turned off or at least minimised?

Ambitions changed how water looks. it does look like really heavy fog if you are zoomed in too far in build mode, but it's fine during play. Just how EA decided water would be.

ellacharm3d, I upgraded the driver as you suggested. (At the moment I'm having issues with the Dashboard - since I installed it, my game crashes to desktop when I try to open the town. I'm working on that so I can get into the game and work on the overheating issue.) I did have the graphics set to be as efficient as possible, from what I remember. I use one of those Belkin cooling trays with the fan when I have my laptop turned on, so I am aware of hot it can get. As soon as I can get in to play, I'll let you know what's happening. (I certainly hope nothing is being fried - I got laid off and can't afford to get anything replaced at the moment!)

DarkAmaranth, I can't believe EA thinks ponds full of milk are a good thing.

Does it crash on a new game after the drivers have been updated? Do you have any issues running other applications after the driver updates?

And you still have CC?
So, test once on a new game with CC intact.

Then remove ALL CC by renaming the user files folder, and test new game with no CC.

Let us know how both went...

Okay, I updated the drivers but was still having issues with CC, white water and the game crashing to desktop. So I started at the beginning (again) with a clean reinstall. The water doesn't look like milk anymore, but it's pretty cloudy looking. Is it supposed to look like that?

At any rate, I can get in and play once more, but the game still crashes to desktop when I'm in Build/Buy mode, when moving between Rugs and Roof Decorations. That's a different issue, I know, and I'll make another post. It's weird, though, because I haven't installed CC in either of those catagories yet. For now, I'm avoiding those two catagories.

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Have you followed the steps in the guide above? Just to eliminate Custom Content or corrupted User Files as the culprit?
Try each step and see how things work. As Ella mentioned, you are borderline for minimum specs by EA standards and that
being for the base game, not EP's and patching. Once you rule out and type of CC or corruption, it may well be a graphic issue.
What are your options set to in the game as far as graphics? Are the set to low, medium, high, etc? Have you tried deleting the
options.ini under Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder and reset any changes back to the default?