tech help, please!!!

[lglblnd66]

Good morning everyone!

I was hoping someone could help me! I have recently become addicted to The Sims 2. What this means is that I bought The Sims 2 Holiday Edition, installed it...found all the wonderful CC available out here on the WWW and became greedy;) (Insert...I now have all EPs and SPs except for H & M Stuff for "greedy"!)

Anyhoo...now I can't get the game to work right! I have temporarily uninstalled Season's but the game still responds very slowly!

Below is the information on my system:

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/5/2007, 11:19:21
       Machine name: MINE
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
       System Model: Dimension 3000              
               BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A02
          Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.40GHz
             Memory: 254MB RAM
          Page File: 652MB used, 356MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

*****************************************************

I'm thinking I probably need a new graphics card, but I have NOOO idea what to get. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Below is the information on my current graphics card:

Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
     Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
        Chip type: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
         DAC type: Internal
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2572&SUBSYS_019D1028&REV_02
   Display Memory: 96.0 MB
     Current Mode: 800 x 600 (32 bit) (75Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4396 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)

************************************************

Thank you so much for any and all help! I am getting close to crazy here!

Dina

[caffeinated.joy]

My suggestion would be to start at the Sims 2 site and take a look at the requirements for the game. System requirements for Seasons are here. They say a card with at least 32 mb of ram is needed, but I wouldn't go with anything less that 256 mb if you want a game that looks good. Honestly, my suggestion is to get the best you can afford. If a higher end card is within your means, then go for it

Whether you get ati or nvidia is completely up to you. Personally, I'm an ATI gal, but there are just as many people who'll tell you nVidia is the way to go.

Taking another look at your RAM, I would suggest you upgrade that as well. What you have right now is the minimum your computer needs just to run XP. If you can, get at least 1 gb of ram. I had 768mb up until a few months ago, and it was ok. I've recently done an upgrade to my system and have 2 gb and it's lovely.

[-Little-CJ-]

I agree with her, my dad has one of those super computers and my graphics card is the one below his, mine is an ati, so unlike ndiva you don't need to update all the time. Mine is a Radeon 9000. And my dads is a Radeon X9000.

[lglblnd66]

Thanks so much for your suggestions! I went to Dell and got their recommendations on upgrades for my computer. One of the graphics cards that came up was the Radeon 9250. I have attempted to contact EA Games to see if this card is compatible with the game as it is not specifically listed on the minimum requirements page but, that was a HUGE waste of time and typing;) Anyway, minimum requirements say anything above 8500 but also has a 9200 listed specifically. Does anybody know anything about this card?

Thanks again!!

Dina

[caffeinated.joy]

The 9250 should be fine I had a 9650, which isn't listed, and it worked like a charm

[ancienthighway]

I've been using the 9250 for quite a while.  It's working fine for me with Seasons, although if I had the money for a new card I'd get one with 512 mb video ram.

[lglblnd66]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I was getting so frustrated!! I waited all day for EA Games to reply to my question just so I could have the little dingbat tell me to Ctrl+Alt+Del and turn off background programs!! He then referred me to the very same minimum requirements page that I had mentioned to him in my original question:smt120!

Anyway, thanks again!! I uninstalled Seasons last week just so I could play a little bit but, I am so terribly greedy that I want all my Seasons CC and lots back!!:snorting:

Well, I'm off to order my graphics card!!

Dina

[caffeinated.joy]

Good luck! If you ever can afford to splurge, I highly recommend getting the Radeon X1950. It's what I upgraded to a few months ago and it's gorgeous!

[Llial]

You need not just the new grafic card with a good load of RAM. You need at least 1GB in RAM Stix and you need to adjust your Page files to at least 3GB.

[Sleepycat]

I suggest making sure your power supply can handle the new graphics card

[lglblnd66]

I went ahead with the Radeon 9250. Things are looking up!! Thanks again for all of your help!!

Dina