Closed Sims 2 and Graphics Cards - the fixes.

Oh man, am I happy to find this thread. Not only do I see friendly, competent faces (Kiri, it's been too long!). I may also have a chance of finding a solution to my problems.

I've tried to read through most of this thread, but most of what you're all talking about is way above my head, so I'm not entirely sure I'm doing everything correctly. My problem is this: New Windows 8.1 laptop with dual Graphics (Intel and GeForce GT 740m). I've managed to install the game and can run it on the integrated graphics. But whenever I try to switch it to the GeForce, it won't even start. It squeezes the screen to what seems to be 800x600 and then a message saying something with E_INVALIDARG pops up.

I'm running as administrator and in compatibility mode (Windows 7 as suggested). I've replaced the two sgr.files from the first post. But I still can't get it to work. And I'm beginning to get desperat. (Insert howling, crying emote here - my sims, my sims!).

Kiri, Lee & Co, I'll be extremely grateful if you can somehow help me here. Thanks, thanks, many thanks in advance.

Here's what my log file says:
Log generated on 5/12/2014, 17:13

=== Application info ===
Name: The Sims 2 EP8
Version: 1.16.0.194
Build: ReleaseSRT
=== Machine info ===
OS version: Windows NT 6.1
CPU: 3491.599853Mhz, Name:GenuineIntel, FPU:1, MMX:1
Memory: 1024MB
Free memory: 1024MB
User: Anette
Computer: ANETTE-PC
=== Sound device info ===
Name: Unknown
Driver: Unknown
=== Graphics device info ===
Number: 0
Name (driver): NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M
Name (database): NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M <<NOT FOUND IN DATABASE!>>
Kiri: Hardware rendering is enabled
Vendor: NVIDIA
Chipset: Vendor: 10de, Device: 1292, Board: 219a103c, Chipset: 00a1
Driver: nvd3dum.dll, Version: 9.18.13.3750, GUID: D7B71E3E-51D2-11CF-2A7D-97011CC2C435
Driver version: 3750
Monitor: \\.\DISPLAY1
Monitor aspect: 1.782383, 16:9
Screen mode: 1920x1080x32BPP,60Hz
Texture memory: 1744MB
HW T&L: Fixed function:1 Programmable:3.0
Pixel program: 3.0
Texture stages: 8
AppControlledAA: 1
Kiri: memory hi cpu hi max vertex > 1 not force low not integrated

Hi Moune! It has been way too long!

I need to look at your whole config log - although it does look like the card has done everything it needs to do texture memory problem wise. Windows 8.1 is a dog when it comes to TS2.

Can you upload the whole text file? That would be grand.

Switching it to the Nvidia card and it trying to do 800x600 then crashing says that I need to something special for it.
It's not a problem we've had before but we'll do our best to get it working.

You're a star, Kiri. You really are. (But I already knew that).

I've attached the logfile. Don't know what I've done - except keeping the NVIDIA control panel open while trying to start the game, but now it no longer changes the resolution to 800x600, but to something else less than the 1600x900 is really is. Nevertheless I've also attached the message that pops up every time I try to start it on the NVIDIA Graphics Card.

I'd be SO happy if you could help me solve this. Thanks in advance for trying. :-)

Attached File(s)

Thumbnail(s)
   

  ANETTE-PC-config-log.txt (Size: 10.33 KB / Downloads: 464)

Kiri's the genius here when it comes to getting graphics problems solved. I do have a suggestion though (and probably don't know what I'm talking about, lol)- have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling DirectX? I don't know what the latest version is or which one comes with Windows 8, if you have the latest version and uninstalling/reinstalling doesn't help.. it might be worth trying an earlier version too.

Unrelated: Moune!! *hugs* Long time no see!

Kiri! My graphics went from zero to hero in less than a second Thank you for posting these fixes, my game looks very smooth now

Thanks for the image moune - that's going to help me sort out what's going on and give me something to look for on google. I'm going to be making you a new set of cards that probably won't resolve the issue, but will fix a couple of things and *may* have an effect.

MLC idea is a good one. Depending on what your version of directx is, it probably IS worthwhile to downgrade back to a previous version - the latest one is a real dog with Sims2.

Be back with that in a few hours.

Ooooh, MLC, you're here too! *big hug* It most certainly has been way too long. Man, I didn't realize how much I miss my old Sims2 friends.

I'll try the DirectX solution tonight, when I get home. It probably does have the latest version - 11 - I think. I'll see if I can downgrade it to 9 and report back.

I so love you both for trying to help me.

Hi!

Oof, I feel awkward asking help but although I found someone with the same problem, I didn't find the solution to this while searching... I'm having trouble with the Lot View Distance, Hood Deco, and Neighbours options - the options appear clickable, but refuse to change when I click them. Smooth edges is also disabled.

Any ideas/solutions? I'll attach my config file too... thanks.

Edit: I feel I should add that I tried to remedy it with a userstartup.cheat. It didn't work.

Attached File(s)

  THE-KIWI-PC-config-log.txt (Size: 9.29 KB / Downloads: 483)

@Spudjuice
hey,try this one:https://app.box.com/s/rsf1blu1wui5kv1925nj
It's my graphic rules file,i overcome those problems you have

@Oeseliann

Thanks, but I don't think that one works for my card (Radeon HD 7900). The view distance worked, but I only got the Lo-Texture/Lo-Res version when I loaded the game. Still looking for help, I'm afraid!