Insimenator.org

I am having the dreaded blue screen issue with my video card and there used to be a topic at this thread that listed all the video cards that have this issue with the sims 2:http://nene.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Technical_and_Graphics_Issues

Well, the thread is missing. Can anyone tell me if it was moved or where I can find a list of all the video cards that have this blue screen issue? Maybe, some friendly soul can offer me advice on what to get? I would hate to buy the wrong video card AGAIN. The one I have is only a year old and I have to replace it because of this issue. Here are my specs:

I am running windows xp and have all expansion packs

Dell Dimension 2400
Bios: Phoenix Rom Bios Plus Version 1.10 AO5
Processor: Intel Celeron Cpu 2.40GHZ
Memory: 1022Mb Ram
Direct X version 9.0c
Graphic Card: Nvidia Geforce 6200
Chip type: Nvidia Geforce 6200
Dac Type: Intergrated RamDac
Total memory: 256.0
Main Driver: nv4_disp.dll version 6.14.0011.8250 english
DDI version: 9 or higher 

If the link above don't work for you, just take away the "nene." from the link (http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Technical_and_Graphics_Issues) ;)
Couldn't find the list, but there is a lot of info in that thread, and it does mention some cards.

Your videocard is fine, used to have the same one and had no problems playing the game.
Try uninstalling the drivers, reboot and reinstall a updated version.

Thanks Bloom

I am a little confused on which driver I need. When I visit this site: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index5.aspx?lang=en-us

Option 1 - It doesn't look like my card is in this section
Option 2- The automatic scan is not working for me.

Can you help me find the right driver. If I can save myself some money that would be great!
It says on the site that I don't have to uninstall the old driver and that the new one will overwrite it. Should I still go ahead and uninstall anyway, when we find the right one I need?

I sent them an email and they got back to me pretty fast.

They'll tell you to download a tiny program called, CPU ID. Run it, and it'll give them all the information they need. You'll have to attach the info to your email.

When they get back to you, they'll also give you the links you need to download the updated drivers. They'll also tell you how to uninstall the drivers and install the new ones.

I was done in less that 48 hours.

It is there,
You need the 6 series. ;)

Well, I have spent the last two days on this. Nvidia has been a great help in sending me information on what drivers to try. They sent me a link to two different ones but, neither one worked. I also tried the 6 series out Bloom and am still having the same blue screen problem. I even took all my downloads out and tried it that way. No luck. When I move the camera around or especially if lightening strikes on a lot, the blue screen shows up. I have even tried turning the shaders to false and still, the same problem. It sounds to me like it's the video card if none of these things I have tried has worked. And now, I am at a loss on what to buy since that list that used to be at Mts2 is missing :(

You should've installed both of them........

Also, try turning of your anti virus before you start the game....Just a suggestion.

i used the 6200 for 4 years and never had one blue screen.....strange.
You might need to update your chipset drivers(either intel or VIA)

I'm just wondering if she has enough RAM. Maybe 1 GB isn't really enough with all the EP's.

I googled the problem and it is most likely a drivers issue.
Here's another fix,

http://howtobyte.blogspot.com/2009/05/nv4dispdll-blue-screen-error-fix.html


I still would look for updates on your chipset drivers also!

If this doesn't work then try the following,
Uninstall all nvdia related drivers, reboot and go to windows xp Update(wupdmgr.exe)
Search for all updates, it will give you a older driver for your card but it will be digital signed(WHQL)
Means its for sure compatible with XP, thorougly tested and all errrors have been fixed.
Install that one...

Oh, and always make sure antivirus is disabled when in or uninstalling!!

Ok. I will try your suggestion. Don't worry, I did run a clean driver utility after I unistalled the drivers and before installed the new one and yes I always turn off the antivirus software before playing and installs. The game will not let me play anyway if I had antivirus on. Maybe I should get more ram as well. Where do I find the chipset drivers at Bloom? Could you send me a link? I meant to ask you as well bloom, what video card do you have installed now? I have read the procedure you sent me at the link you posted. That blue screen looks different than the issue I have. The blue screen that comes up for me only happens when playing the game. The screen goes totally blue with an hourglass that keeps rotating. Sometimes the screen will come back long enough for me to save the game.

Sounds to me like you definitely need more RAM to be able to play the game. If you're getting the blue pause screen that some of us have experienced after hitting the stupid Windows button (right between the ctrl and alt buttons) and it refuses to load back to a playable state, I don't think it's your video card. Sounds like not enough memory to make the game playable.

Oh, then it could be indeed a matter of low memory.
Next time you you get that screen hit ctrl alt delete and check your memory usage.
1gb should be more then enough for the game to run properly tho.
The minimal sims 2 system requierements are 256mb, 512mb with the latest EP's.
So is suspect there are other proggy's suking up that memory.
You could install Game booster, you hit it before playing the sims and it will terminate all the proggy's you dont need.
When finished playing you hit it again to set it all back.

I now have a geforce 7600GS with 512mb memory, great card for sims 2 but not that good for sims 3 :(
Its a very cheap card these days.
My system is much older, got a 2.0 ghz processor on a 8 year old mainboard and its dying.
I do have 2 gig of RAM memory, that does help tho.

Thanks so much for the help and telling me about game booster. I downloaded it and will see how the game works using it. I am also planning to get another gig of memory. Maybe that will help too. At least now, if I do decide to get another video card I have an idea of what to buy. Thanks bloom for letting me know which one you use and thank you all for trying to help me. I appreciate it so very much. I'll let you know how things work out or if I have any more problems. You guys are great! I'm keeping my fingers crossed this will work cause I am frustrated out of my mind! :)

I hope you get things working, errors like that are ruining your gameplay, killing the fun...

You won't believe this! I went out and upgraded the memory to two gigs, yet my system only says I have 1 gig (don't know why, both 1 gigs are in their appropriate slots) and bought a Nvidia Geforce 8400 Gs with 512Mb of Ram which is the best card that I could get for my computer. I installed it and made sure the driver was up to date. I turned off the antivirus, deleted the cache files for the sims 2 and tried to boot up my game and now the game won't load at all. After I click on play, before the loading screen even comes up, it makes a sound, like when the game crashes and won't load. I even took the hard drive up to the store with me to make sure I got the right product for my computer. What gives? Do you think I have to uninstall and reinstall all my games? I am pulling my hair out now. I thought this was supposed to fix the problem, not give me more greif! Any suggestions?

Well, the more CC you have, it seems the more RAM you use, too.

when you upgrade the memory make sure you have 2 identical 1 gig memory's, same brand etc.
Make a new useraccount and start the game on that account, see how it goes.
If it fails to load or your having errors, it is your comp.
If it runs ok then you need to delete a few files in the sims 2 folder on your original account.

Yes, the two 1 gigs. are the same. Game is still not loading If it is a computer problem why would it load with my other video card I just replaced and not this new one? Here's something weird. I checked to see if the game would load without the downloads folder in it. It does not. But, bodyshop loaded and works with no problems at all with my downloads in. Why would body shop load and not the game? 


Here are my new specs:

I am running windows xp and have all expansion packs

Dell Dimension 2400
Bios: Phoenix Rom Bios Plus Version 1.10 AO5
Processor: Intel Celeron Cpu 2.40GHZ
Memory: 1022Mb Ram
Direct X version 9.0c
Graphic Card: Nvidia Geforce 8400 GS
Chip type: Nvidia Geforce 8400 GS
Dac Type: Intergrated RamDac
Total memory: 512.0
Main Driver: nv4_disp.dll version 6.14.0011.9107 english
DDI version: 9 or higher

Install the latest directx version, might fix things. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=0cef8180-e94a-4f56-b157-5ab8109cb4f5
To find out wich chipset your mainboard uses you best look on the original cd that came with the pc.

Ok. I am downloading from the link you posted right now. Question, do I have to uninstall my other version of direct x before I install this one or will it overwrite or just update my current one? I am wondering also if I am missing a program or have a program installed that is causing the game not to run. Should I post a list of the programs I have installed?

nah, you should try to start the game on a new account
We then know if its your game files or your computer itself.

No need to uninstall directx files when installing a new version

I don't know what you mean about starting under a new account? When you install the games and put in that serial number it comes with for registration, Two different accounts or people can't use the same number. After more digging I found out the driver is indeed out of date even though the installation disk told me it was up to date. Can you tell me if this is the right driver I need for the new card?  (I have a GS version not a GT)

Also found out that a driver for one of my system devices is out of date. It's this: Intel (R) 82801DB PCI Bridge - 244E Where would I find an update for that as well?


http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_197.45_whql.html

Dell Dimension 2400
Bios: Phoenix Rom Bios Plus Version 1.10 AO5
Processor: Intel Celeron Cpu 2.40GHZ
Memory: 1022Mb Ram
Direct X version 9.0c
Graphic Card: Nvidia Geforce 8400 GS
Chip type: Nvidia Geforce 8400 GS
Dac Type: Intergrated RamDac
Total memory: 512.0
Main Driver: nv4_disp.dll version 6.14.0011.9107 english
DDI version: 9 or higher

You can make a new Windows useraccount at your configurationscreen(useraccounts)
Like you can make one for your mom, one for your kid etc.
If you make a new and go to that account and simply start the game from that new account it will generate a whole new sims 2 directory with all necesarry files on that account.

You can do the same on the account your having now, but its tricky when you have lots of stuff installed(like neighborhoods,custom sims and other CC)
You then have to backup all important files and completly delete the whole sims 2 directory, when booting the game it will generate all the files from scratch(without possible errors)
But dont try this if you dont know wat to backup and wat not.


So i advise people to make a new account, go to it and boot up the game.
If you have no problems playing the game, the problem is related to your sims 2 directory files from your first account.
If the game does give errors or problems then we know for sure its your computer causing them.
you really should do this first to narrow down the problem


Driver,
it includes the 8series that you need with the 8400GS you have now.
that driver is the safest one to install, its tested and certified. :)

Bloom you have been a godsend. I installed the new version of direct x you gave me and and updated the driver at the link I posted that you confirmed. With those updates I was finally able to get the game to run. It booted and I was able to play a little while and that darn blasted blue screen with the rotating hourglass came up again, even with this new video card so the problem as to be something else. I am pretty sure it my be this...

I found out that a driver for one of my system devices is out of date. It's this: Intel (R) 82801DB PCI Bridge - 244E Where can I find an update for this driver? I contacted Dell support and they won't even answer this question for me because my computer is no longer under warranty. If you could help me with this last thing, I would be so very grateful. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all your help!

Still could be a memory issue.
Next time when the screens appears hit ctrl alt delete and look at the memory usage at the 3rd tab on the task manager.(it think its called performance)
But its also possible this is caused by a hack, a timer hack or maybe a outdated one.
I would try to play the game without any hacks, even the insimenator.

Go here to update the intel drivers:
http://www.intel.com/support/detect.htm?iid=dc_spotlight_home1
And run the update utility

And there is another thing you need to check.
Right click the my compter icon on your desktop and choose properties.
Wat does your system say on the memory installed?

If it still says 1024mb then your comp doesn't recognize the 2nd memory bank installed....:(

This could be a setting that needs to be changed in the BIOS settings but in the worsed case you need to update your main(mother)board
Its something you best ask a person that has done this before, dont do this yourself!

How do I check the settings in BIOS to see if they need to be changed? It is still only registering 1 gig. I'd like to check this before I get a motherboard upgrade. I went and had the Intel update utility scan my computer and and it gives me this: Graphics driver is up to date. But the audio driver, Wireless networking and Wired networking drivers are not. All it says is: This device is unknown or unsupported. Please contact the manufacturer for possible updates. It does not give me a link or update the drivers I need. So I still need this updated: Intel (R) 82801DB PCI Bridge - 244E

I am almost sure its a update for your harddisk drivers, dont worry to much about it.
Had a look here but not sure wich one you need.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng
search for 82801DB PCI Bridge
Wat you could do is download the software updates and put them all in one folder(subfoldered if desired)
Then go to your device management*, look up the Intel (R) 82801DB PCI Bridge - 244E(prolly located in your system devices)
Double click it/choose driver tab and hit the update driver button.
Your comp will search and will automaticly read the folders were you installed the downloaded updates.
When it finds a update it will automaticly install it.

If you want to enter the BIOS keep hitting F2 when you just start up your computer.
There should also be a page were you can see the ammount of memory installed.(prolly the first one you see)
At the 2nd tab you can often make changes to the memory settings.
At the last tab you can exit the BIOS with or without saving any changes.


*Device management: right click my computer on your desktop/choose properties/choose hardware tab/choose device management

Note, i had to translate it as my version is dutch, dont pinpoint me on the translation :D

As long as there is a rotating (blue) hourglass, the blue screen is normal for the game. On my old laptop (512mb memory) and either hit the start button to get to the desktop, hit it unintentionally, saved my game while quitting, or changed graphic settings, the blue screen could go on for minutes to hours (I once had to wait over 1 1/2 hour for the game to quit and save - after that, I saved before quitting).

The blue screen pops up now and then on my new computer too (4GB and a much better graphics card), but it goes away considerably faster (rarely lasts more than a few minutes, if that), despite having the double amount of CC and some extra EPs and SPs.

So it's very likely it's memory trouble.

The real troubly blue screen is this one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Screen_of_Death)...

O.k. guys I got sick of being tired and just went out and bought a new computer. My other one was on it's last legs anyway. Installed everything and it looks amazing. I got a dell 8100 with an ati video card installed. I can't believe what a difference! This system has 8 gigs. Everything looks so crisp and the playability is awesome! I had 11 sims at one house lastnight and this new computer didn't even break a sweat. Before it would take my game an hour to load with 30,000 downloads. This system takes 9 minutes! Wow! I am feeling sublimely happy now. Thanks to all who try to help me. This was just better as I was sick of beating my head against the wall. Consider this solved and thanks again!

I am sooo jalous right now!!  4cry

Aww, If I could clone my pc and give one to you, I would bloom. You were really tremendous in trying to help me. Would a bag of virtual cookies help? :)

If you feed me with them? :D