Serious error message! (update)

[Felicity]

CC, I am sorry to worry you, but I really dont know what to do now. I have had so much issues with my PC / Sims 2 since the beginning of January I am now totally going crazy!

Sims2 is crashing to desktop every now and then. I have to continuously save so that I can at least get somewhere. I havent tried my other PC games yet, so dont know how they fair. But this morning, while on the internet, the PC shut down to restart. When it reloaded again I got this message (It said it was a serious error)



If you can help, I would appreciate it. If you need any more info I will get it to you. I am getting really with this PC now and ready to set it alight!

Thanks in advance!

Edited to add: Hubby just phoned and said he spoke to an IT guy at his work. They recommend I go and get updates at Microsoft, and also they say the Norton can cause this also... Would like your input on this.

Felicity

[CharlieChomper]

If you're playing with Norton enabled and running at the same time (note that if you have internet access enabled in Windows, I would advise either disabling it or even enabling the Windows firewall before starting the game as more of a precaution to avoid any malware or anything similarly nasty from making its way onto your system), I would definitely recommend disabling it along with any other unnecessary background tasks you may have running.

Anti-viral software is rather notorious for creating issues with other software a user may have running (it's even worse for driver updates).

If that still doesn't resolve the problem, one other thing worth trying may be to disable the pixel shaders in the game by typing into the cheat box "boolprop useshaders false" to see if that helps any.

Also, I don't suppose you had Norton running at the time you tried to install M&G? Among my reasons for asking is because I remember the problems you had posted about it and am wondering if there may be a connection there.

[Felicity]

CC, I dont play in Windowed mode. Actually, I dont have the internet running while playing at all. My internet service is through my cell phone, so I only actually only connect / go online, when I need to, so it isnt running in the background. We dont have broadband (I think that is what it is called) in South Africa...yet! Cell phones, and landlines are used.

Also, I don't suppose you had Norton running at the time you tried to install M&G? Among my reasons for asking is because I remember the problems you had posted about it and am wondering if there may be a connection there.

CC, to quite honest I cannot remember. I am going to try and install it again to be sure. I have backed up my files and will see what happens later today. I know I told Kiri that it isnt serious that I cant install M&G, but if I can solve it.... somehow...I wouldnt mind!

Just a quick question, you dont think it is because I went and got drivers for my graphics card that may have also something to do with the issues?

Felicity

Edited to add: Dont worry CC, I wont uninstall Norton, because I know that it is important to have it on my PC! I will just disable it while I install M&G!

[CharlieChomper]

Do you mean dial-up (having to ring a number in to connect) instead of landlines? Broadband ((A/S)DSL, cable, and ISDN) is the alternative to that, so you are correct about that.

If you have Norton disabled--not uninstalled (just not running in the background)--
I'm actually wondering if you're being affected by the nVidia BSOD problem as far as playing even without M&G--especially after you mentioned as having upgraded the drivers.

See if that cheat I posted may help. The "downside" as many of us with the problem have come to find is that you will lose some effects and being able to see fish, but the game should be playable, at least.

[Felicity]

Jan 25, 2009 5:56:47 GMT CharlieChomper said:

Do you mean dial-up (having to ring a number in to connect) instead of landlines? Broadband ((A/S)DSL, cable, and ISDN) is the alternative to that, so you are correct about that.

If you have Norton disabled--not uninstalled (just not running in the background)--
I'm actually wondering if you're being affected by the nVidia BSOD problem as far as playing even without M&G--especially after you mentioned as having upgraded the drivers.

Dial-up is the correct term! Sorry, I am a little clueless sometimes with the correct terminology!

CC, I am sorry I actually went and got the drivers, but after the very first install of M&G and the negative results of that, I did a little investigating on other forums, and "they" said to get drivers. Although I thought about all you had said with updating of drivers (and you were still away at that time on vacation), I thought I would just go and get them and kept that I was doing the right thing!

Unfortunately for me, it obviously, (or even maybe) the worst thing I could have done! I wish I could undo it all now!

Okay, the latest result, is I am afraid, still "no go"! I backed up my game of course, and set Norton off "permanently" and installed M&G. I still cannot get the game to run. Heres the results....actually no different than the first time!



So it cannot be Norton.... I doubt it anyhow!

Felicity

[CharlieChomper]

Without having M&G installed (only keeping up until AL--do not install M&G until the current issue gets itself sorted out), if the game is loading properly, is it still misbehaving using the boolprop useshaders false cheat?

[Felicity]

CC I have re-installed up to and including AL. I am definitely agreeing with you on not installing M&G at present. I havent actually played yet, so I havent tried your suggestion on the boolprop shaders yet. I will certainly come back to you on that.

I am just busy with a new constructo house and then when I start the Lucky challenges I will see.

Thank you for your support!

Felicity

[Felicity]

Sorry I took so long to reply CC! So far the game hasnt really crashed since typing in that shaders cheat you said I must try. I think it happened only once, and that was when I had mimimized the game to work on some pics that I had taken....

So I am keeping my that it stays that way! Will let you know as soon as there is changes.

btw, is that cheat typed in without capital letters? In other words like this: boolProp useshaders false

Felicity

[CharlieChomper]

I'm glad the cheat is working for you. Although, that also means you've been affected by the nVidia BSOD problem as well.

Minimizing it and then going back into the game like that and a problem occurring as a result actually does not surprise me, as there has been an issue with DirectX and the minimize/"full screen" mode feature from the time it first was introduced. While the problem, admittedly, has become more manageable (for what amounts to a "memory leak" issue), it still sadly exists in some form--just not the great frustration and aggravation it once caused users when in the early days.

As to the cheat and how to type it out, I tend to type it in all small letters as opposed to any capital letters. I know that some cheats are case sensitive, but I've never really experimented enough with that particular one to know for certain whether it was or not, so I tend to always go with the small letters.

[Felicity]

CC, thank you! I sincerely appreciate all your advice and input. Will keep you posted if I have any other issues!

Felicity

[CharlieChomper]

You're very welcome.