Pets still crashing, nothing seems to help.

[Frey]

This is the third time I get this issue and I'm out of ideas right now. At first, changing the DEP settings and doing a factory reset seemed to fix it, but after a week of perfect simming the game started to crash again. I did another factory reset, which didn't work, so I did a complete uninstall/reinstall of the game, and changed DEP settings again. That worked for another week, and last night my game started crashing... yet again.

I use no mods, no cc, no store content.  I'm patched to the latest version and clean my CompositorCache, SimCompositorCache, etc. weekly. My computer is not the best in the world, but it has all the requirements to run the game and has never had any major troubles with it, except for some of EA's bugs. It is a Compaq though, and as most Compaq laptops it tends to overheat... but I use a laptop cooler all the time.

I would appreciate any help that you can give me, please! This is getting really annoying. Really.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

I'm actually having the exact same problem, and have tried everything you've tried but with no results. Hope you and I find a solution.

[MoonsAreBlue]

I'm not the most techy person, but I've done a lot of different things to fix my crashing. First, which town are you playing in? All of my crashing was in Hidden Springs and Appaloosa Plains, but Riverview and Twinbrook were fine.

Also, are either of you using a laptop with a graphics card other than Intel?

[Frey]

I'm actually having the exact same problem, and have tried everything you've tried but with no results. Hope you and I find a solution.

Please let me know if anything works for you! And I'll do the same, obviously.

I'm not the most techy person, but I've done a loooooot of different things to fix my crashing. First, which town are you playing in? All of my crashing was in Hidden Springs and Appaloosa Plains, but Riverview and Twinbrook were fine.

Also, are either of you using a laptop with a graphics card other than Intel?

Really? I hadn't thought about that... I don't have Hidden Springs, but I've been playing in Appaloosa. I'll check with Sunset Valley or Twinbrook... I haven't reinstalled Riverview after my last reinstall. My graphics card is actually an Intel, but it should work perfectly fine with The Sims 3. Actually I bought this laptop because it was the only affordable one that had a compatible graphics card... and it has never given me any trouble before. Of course I can't run the game with the highest graphic settings, but that's ok with me.

I just thought... maybe updating my Direct X would help. I will try and come back.

[MoonsAreBlue]

Updating Direct X certainly won't hurt. If you are playing in Appaloosa Plains, I found a super easy way to fix the crashing... delete public parking lots. It solved my problem when all the complicated stuff didn't!

The thing about the non-Intel graphics is that on most computers, they run on a program called Optimus (or something similar). For example, I had a Nvidia card and an Intel card, but when I played Sims, it wouldn't use the higher performing Nvidia card. I had to go and manually tell the laptop to use the Nvidia card when I played Sims. This helped a HUGE amount.

[Frey]

It's definitely an Appaloosa issue! I updated my Direct X, restarted my computer, launched the game and instead of choosing Appaloosa, I created a new town in Sunset Valley. I played around for about an hour with no trouble at all. Then I switched to Appaloosa to see what happened, and it crashed almost immediately.

I'm playing my Immortal Dynasty there  I guess I will have to start over in Sunset Valley or Riverview. I will ask Metro if I can use Edit Town to delete parking lots and see what happens though.

Thanks Moons, you've been so helpful! 
Shame on EA though! They'd better release a patch to fix this soon!

[xFezIsAFreakx]

Aww, I'm playing in Sunset Valley. My graphics card is Intel, but it is an integrated chipset and didn't work well with Pets - which is why I've uninstalled it. I'll try updating this Direct X thingy too and see if that helps.

And yes, I know I shouldn't be playing with this chipset but it's really all we can afford right now. Mum and I have had a look at some good second-hand desktop computers that meet the requirements for the Sims 3 on eBay (some are even far higher than the requirements but still at a good price!) but my mum has her eyes set on other priorities money-wise right now, so it'll be a while before there's a possibility of anything new for me.

[Frey]

I'm also playing with an integrated chipset, are you sure yours doesn't meet the requirements? The Sims does support some integrated graphics cards, you should check that out. You can't play with the highest graphic settings, but you can still play... and they are way cheaper than an Nvidia or an ATI card. That's why I bought this laptop actually.

If you want to update your Direct X, Pam posted a long while ago a thread with the link to download it. It's stickied on the Technical Help board  . Good luck!

[MoonsAreBlue]

@Frey

I wouldn't quit on your Appaloosa dynasty yet. Get permission from Metro to delete public parking lots (I can't think of a reason for him to say no), and try playing again. You should be able to get away with just leaving one on each lot, but you could delete all of them to be extra sure.

[Saltypaws]

I really have not had too much problem with Pets, but from what I can tell from reading members posts, unfortunately, it boils down to graphic cards and some laptops.  It is so hard to upgrade a laptop and the more EP's that come out, the more problems people are going to have.  I have always wanted a laptop, but I think I would have one built, but is quite costly.  Not too many people can afford to keep upgrading their computers, as more games come out.  However, in most towns I start in, I usually delete all of the extra parking spaces and it does help quite a bit.  At first when Pets came out, I did have some crashing issues, but turned down my graphics and updated my graphics card.  It has played good since then.  Good luck in solving your issues.

[Frey]

@Frey

I wouldn't quit on your Appaloosa dynasty yet. Get permission from Metro to delete public parking lots (I can't think of a reason for him to say no), and try playing again. You should be able to get away with just leaving one on each lot, but you could delete all of them to be extra sure.

Yeah... I will. That dynasty wasn't going very well though so it's not that bad anyway. I do hate the fact that I have one more extra baby to raise, though. Oh gosh, how I hate Sims 3 babies.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

I'm also playing with an integrated chipset, are you sure yours doesn't meet the requirements? The Sims does support some integrated graphics cards, you should check that out. You can't play with the highest graphic settings, but you can still play... and they are way cheaper than an Nvidia or an ATI card. That's why I bought this laptop actually.

If you want to update your Direct X, Pam posted a long while ago a thread with the link to download it. It's stickied on the Technical Help board  . Good luck!

Mine does meet the requirements. Only just, but they do. They don't anymore since Pets was installed but that's why I uninstalled it. I am going to try this Direct X thing and I also didn't know about deleting the parking lots, either, so I'll do that too.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

Sorry for the double post, I'm just re-posting here instead of in my post above so that the thread is bumped and people can see.

I updated the Direct X and it doesn't make the slightest difference. I tried to delete the parking spaces but the laptop actually crashed before I could click on the Edit Town button. This is happening in every file, including brand new files, so the problem is not my huge legacy file as expected - it's the game itself. I'm pretty sure it's not my chipset graphics because this has only happened since I installed Pets and the latest patch. Things were working fine before then. As mentioned in above posts, I did uninstall Pets but it's not making a difference. The problem isn't overheating either, because I have a brand new fan that worked brilliantly up until this.

I'm so worried, I've tried literally everything suggested on the forum that I can find. It looks like this is the end of my simming.. and two sim days before the end of my first challenge.

[Frey]

I don't think it's your graphics card. I'm not a computer whiz myself, but once I tried to run Sims 3 in my old computer, which clearly didn't meet the graphic requirements, and it didn't even load at all. The game would start launching but the screen would go black after a few seconds, and then it crashed to desktop. Plus, if so many people are having this issue (and they are, just google around a little and you will find loads of people trying to fix it) I doubt that it's just a graphics thing. And, for most people, it only happens in Appaloosa... if it were a graphics thing, the game would crash in all of the worlds available. I really, really think this is a bug or a compatibility issue or whatever. I honestly think this expansion pack has been the worst yet. I mean, I love it, it's a lot of fun... but it's all messed up, with lots of bugs and technical issues.

I've been searching around in the official forums and some other unmentionable sites as well, and it's amazing how many people are experiencing this. The other amazing thing is that nobody seems to really understand what the problem is or why it happens! I've read about people contacting EA for help several times and always getting different answers. Weird.

Fez, this is kind of a last resource because I'm out of ideas, but have you tried closing every other process before running the game? I mean these processes that start themselves automatically when you start the computer. I've read there's a chance that the game crashes if the antivirus and firewall are running, for instance. Try with Control+Alt+Delete and when the tasks administrator thingy opens, go to processes and close as much as you can. Be careful not to close anything you don't know what it is though. I say this because in my case, running the game with the antivirus working causes terrible lagging, so maybe this can help  .

[xFezIsAFreakx]

I do need a last resource as I have tried everything. I'm not going to try anymore today because I've gotten so stressed out with it all and I have to revise anyway, but I will definitely try that tomorrow. I never run anything else while running the Sims 3, but I haven't a clue about the background stuff, so I will check it out. Thanks Frey.

[MoonsAreBlue]

Fez, that's just too sad to hear for me to do nothing. First try the things Frey suggests, then you should run a dxdiag. If you don't know how to do it, it's really simple. Open the Start menu and type dxdiag into the search box. After it runs, click "Save all information." Then open this file and delete everything that isn't under the System Information and Display Devices sections. Copy and paste those two sections here.

Frey, you do the same. I know how frustrated I was while I was trying to fix my crashing, so I'd like to help if I can.

[Frey]

The parking lots thing didn't work, it still crashed after 5 seconds  . At least I can play in Sunset Valley, though.

Here's my dxdiag thingy:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 1/21/2012, 13:39:58
       Machine name: FREY
   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Basic (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.111025-0338)
           Language: Spanish (Regional Setting: Spanish)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
       System Model: Compaq Presario CQ40 Notebook PC
               BIOS: Default System BIOS
          Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU       T4200  @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
             Memory: 1978MB RAM
          Page File: 1634MB used, 2565MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
     Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
        Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
         DAC type: Internal
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A42&SUBSYS_3607103C&REV_07
   Display Memory: 797 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 64 MB
    Shared Memory: 733 MB
     Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Monitor PnP genérico
      Driver Name: igdumdx32.dll,igd10umd32.dll
   Driver Version: 8.15.0010.2202 (English)
      DDI Version: 10
   BGRA Supported: Yes
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 8/25/2010 19:28:22, 571904 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6902-11CF-167B-0D16A7C2C535}
        Vendor ID: 0x8086
        Device ID: 0x2A42
        SubSys ID: 0x3607103C
      Revision ID: 0x0007
      Revision ID: 0x0007
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_C ModeVC1_B ModeVC1_C
 Deinterlace Caps: {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled

Thanks Moons for your time and help 

[MoonsAreBlue]

Ok, Frey I have an idea. There's this thing called paging files. Basically, space on your hard drive is dedicated for your computer to use as RAM for background processes. This works more for computers with lots of RAM, but it might help you too. It's in Control Panel>System and Security>System>Advanced System Settings. In the Advanced tab, click on Settings in the Performance section. In the Advanced tab here, click Change in the Virtual Memory section. Uncheck the automatically manage box at the top.

Now, this is what I did. I selected the C: drive and clicked custom size below it. If you have C: and D:, just do the same thing for both. For the custom size, I set Initial Size to the number beside Recommended at the bottom. Then for Maximum size, I set it to the number beside Currently allocated. This essentially doubled the size I had. Now restart your computer.

Now, I don't know much about what this does exactly, but I know it worked... because now that I think about this, I did this at the same time that I deleted parking lots. And I just had to do it again on my new computer. I have had no other problems with any other function or games on my computer. However, if this doesn't work, make sure you go back and set it so the computer automatically manages it.

Let me know how it goes!

[Frey]

I will try this later when I  close my game! Thanks Moons! I didn't really understand too much of what you said (I mean, I did understand the words... but computers are sometimes a mystery for me  ) but I will try it. I have no idea if this has something to do with it, but my disk is partitioned in two sections, the Local Disk (C:) and the Recovery (D:) one. It was already configured that way when I bought the laptop. The thing is, D: is almost full, while C: is only half full. 

I will come back later when I try ypur suggestion 

[MoonsAreBlue]

They're a mystery for me too, Frey. This is just what I've learned from researching all of the things I could possibly to do fix my game. It's ok if you have C and D drives. I do, too. It's mainly used for backups. If you've set up a restore point or a backup, it will be saved to your D drive.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

Fez, that's just too sad to hear for me to do nothing. First try the things Frey suggests, then you should run a dxdiag. If you don't know how to do it, it's really simple. Open the Start menu and type dxdiag into the search box. After it runs, click "Save all information." Then open this file and delete everything that isn't under the System Information and Display Devices sections. Copy and paste those two sections here.

Frey, you do the same. I know how frustrated I was while I was trying to fix my crashing, so I'd like to help if I can.

That's really kind.

Here's mine:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 1/22/2012, 14:49:06
       Machine name: PEACH-PC
   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6000) (6000.vista_gdr.100218-0019)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: FUJITSU SIEMENS
       System Model: AMILO Li 2727                 
               BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBLM
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual  CPU  T2370  @ 1.73GHz (2 CPUs), ~1.7GHz
             Memory: 2038MB RAM
          Page File: 1048MB used, 3247MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 6.00.6000.16386 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
     Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
        Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
         DAC type: Internal
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A02&SUBSYS_11231734&REV_03
   Display Memory: 358 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
    Shared Memory: 358 MB
     Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
      Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
   Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1283 (English)
      DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 5/31/2007 08:51:14, 2551808 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6942-11CF-8771-2931A2C2CA35}
        Vendor ID: 0x8086
        Device ID: 0x2A02
        SubSys ID: 0x11231734
      Revision ID: 0x0003
      Revision ID: 0x0003
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
 Deinterlace Caps: {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
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                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
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                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
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                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
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     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled

[xFezIsAFreakx]

@Frey I tried that thing you said about ending the background processes but I didn't recognise any of it and was too scared to click anything. 

(Sorry for the double post)

[Frey]

Now, this is what I did. I selected the C: drive and clicked custom size below it. If you have C: and D:, just do the same thing for both. For the custom size, I set Initial Size to the number beside Recommended at the bottom. Then for Maximum size, I set it to the number beside Currently allocated. This essentially doubled the size I had. Now restart your computer.

OK, I did this with my C: drive. The thing is... my D: drive has 2967 as Recommended Size, but the Currently Assigned size is 2278. What should I do with this? 

Thanks again, Moons, you're being so sweet!

[MoonsAreBlue]

OK, I did this with my C: drive. The thing is... my D: drive has 2967 as Recommended Size, but the Currently Assigned size is 2278. What should I do with this? 

Thanks again, Moons, you're being so sweet!

Ok, this is because you said your D drive was mostly full.  Try just leaving it on computer managed. I think just editing C may be enough, but I did both on mine just in case. If the game still doesn't work, you can try uninstalling some programs that are on your D drive to free up some room. Make sure you restart your computer before you start playing though!


From what I can tell, Fez, is you're having the same problems as Frey. Well, of course you are lol, but I'm saying I think it's the same cause. You have no dedicated memory on your graphics card, so what I think is happening is your pc is using some of the shared memory while your graphics card is trying to access the same memory to help play sims. The game can't borrow enough to do what it wants, so it crashes.

Here's what I can suggest. I have a hunch that it's actually the patch that has been causing you problems. You said you haven't had problems before Pets. Well, this patch has specific content for Pets, so it's going to install on your game as if you have Pets, even though it's not installed. It's not like you install a patch and it only adds on the fixes for what content you have installed. So, I think the fact that your game has the Pets fixes on it is enough to make it crash. I could be entirely wrong, but this is just and idea. What you should do is reinstall and manually patch up to the patch version before 1.29. I think it was 1.26. Here, simprograms has a link to manually download the patch. You'll need to scroll down and select the "Big Update" one, since you'll be patching from version 1.0. You will have to disable your internet while you are installing, so it can't try to automatically patch, though.

The down side to this is that your game is patched to the newest version. If you have any old saves elsewhere on your pc from when you played before the Pets patch, you should be able to play them alright. However, I don't think you can roll a save back a patch version.

Give this a shot. If it doesn't work, you can try the instructions I gave Frey in an above post about the paging file. If that still doesn't work... then I'm out of ideas.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

I'll have to try what you suggested for Frey earlier because I can't go back to an earlier patch due to my legacy and challenges all having tooken place since the patch. Oh well, I'll try what you suggested and I'm currently playing my Handyman file and it seems to be working alright - I've been playing a whole two hours and with no problems! Seems this thing can be random, lol. Thanks for your help, Moons.