Minimizing to desktop freezes game.

[jestina]

I didn't have this issue until the latest patch. Now when minimize the game, it will just freeze up on me. 

They fix one thing and break several others.

[Tiberium_Glow]

Weird....this doesn't happen to me. I minimize my game a lot, between visiting TS3 forums and using Skype whilst playing. I do agree about each patch fixing one thing, but messing up other things. The past week was the longest of my life, waiting for them to fix what they borked with the previous patch: beetles and butterflies. Bug collecting is a huge part of the game for me, and it frustrated me to no end, knowing that the bugs were there, but that I couldn't see them.

[Pam]

It doesn't happen for me, either, and I'm updated all the way with the most current patch that was just released.  It's possible that it's just coincidence that the game started freezing when the last patch was installed.  Might be another issue with the computer.

[jestina]

Well, I have insects again...but if I minimize, the game will just stop working. Bleh. I had a working game at one time, until the last two patches.

[Pam]

If this is just a gripe and complaint thread, I'm going to lock it or remove it.  If there's a relevant question or some genuine help to be offered, let's get to it.  Otherwise, I'm going to shut down this topic.

[simfulicious]

The same thing started happening to me last night too, I thought it was just my pc until I saw this thread.  Now I guess I will save my game right before I want to minimize my screen.  I'm sorry I can't offer any other suggestions, but I wanted the OP to know that it's not just them.

[jestina]

I wouldn't say it's a gripe. Many people seem to be having this issue since that last patch so it's a legitimate issue. I guess no one has a solution yet but I sure hope one is coming soon.

[Beelz]

I also have this issue, Alt-Tab = total game freeze.
So far I have updated GFX drivers, complete uninstall and reinstall, reinstalled just base game and still no joy.

If anyone gets any ideas, fire away

System Spec:
Windows Vista 64
NVidea 9600 GS + driver 196.21 (19th Jan 2010)

Sims + WA + Design Pack

[ancymon]

Ok, here's what I found...
Last week I had format on my HD and reinstalled Sims. Before format I didn't have any problems with alt-tabbing. After format I decided to download last expansion from EADM (I don't want to use CD). First two (basic and WA) I installed from CD, HELS from this download. Everything looked nice, I patched, then played, created new family and then wanted to check some information in browser - it freezes. Only task manager helped. Then googling for solution, trying with disabling wallpaper. Nope.
Today, inspired by some similar problems described on some technical forum, I uninstalled HELS and installed it again, but from CD. And now alt-tabbing works.
Conclusion: on latest patch, alt-tabbing isn't working with downloadable version. From what I saw the problem is with this patch, so if you have CD version of installation, use it, otherwise uninstall HELS and install without patch waiting for new one solving the problem. Or save before alt-tabbing.
Thank you for patience reading, like I said somewhere, English is not my native language.

Edited for spelling. -PJSim.

[samoht04]

I had this problem on my old rubbish computer, but when I tried taking a picture.