Serial Crashing

[Rhoxi]

I'm hoping that someone can help me with some crashing issues. Thanks in advance for any tips.

The Problem:
Instant crashing. The game cannot open any save file and run for more than two minutes.

Things I've tried:
1) Un-installing all custom content (note: I'm using EA Store content only, not using any 3rd party custom content)
2) Factory Reset
3) Adding the TS3W.exe file as exception to DEP.
4) Adding the TS3W.exe file to allow more than 2 gigs under Large Address Aware.
5) Updating my graphics card.
6) Transferring the save file to my desk top, where the game runs fine with no issues. Save appears to be uncorrupted. (However, I would prefer to play on the laptop which has much better graphics. So I'm trying to figure out the issues with the laptop.)
7) Ran crash log analyzer. It tells me:

      Processor Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2675QM CPU @ 2.20GHz
  Processor Architecture: AMD64
      Graphics Processor: Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000 (2.06 GiB)
             Antiviruses: avast! Antivirus

Games Installed: The Sims™ 3 (1.50.56.021001), The Sims™ 3 World Adventures (2.0.86.002017 -> 2.17.2.011037), The Sims™ 3 High-End Loft Stuff (3.0.38.004017 -> 3.13.1.011037), The Sims™ 3 Ambitions (4.0.87.006001 -> 4.10.1.011031), The Sims™ 3 Late Night (6.0.81.009001 -> 6.5.1.011031), The Sims™ 3 Outdoor Living Stuff (7.0.55.010017 -> 7.3.2.011037), The Sims™ 3 Generations (8.0.152.011017), The Sims™ 3 Pets (10.0.96.013017), The Sims™ 3 Master Suite Stuff (11.0.84.014017), The Sims™ 3 Showtime (12.0.273.015017), The Sims™ 3 Supernatural (15.0.135.018017), The Sims™ 3 Seasons (16.0.136.019017), The Sims™ 3 University Life (18.0.126.021001)
 Custom Content: Yes (1 found)

[INSUFFICIENT GRAPHICS] 4/19/2013 4:53:01 PM
     OS Version: 6.1.7601

Why does the log say that I am running with one custom content? (I also made sure to check the box that said "Run without Custom Content", in addition to uninstalling it all.)

Any suggestions on what to try next?

Thanks, Rhoxi

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Rhoxi,

It sounds like what the crash analyzer is saying is that the graphics card is not adequate for Sims 3.

Check to see if you have two graphics cards such as intel and nvidia. If you have two graphic cards listed check with your laptop makers website and see if they have instructions on how to activate the other graphics card.

If all that you have is the intel graphics card there may not be much you can do to fix it.

MrsFlynn

[DanBrunetu]

The Video Card is the problem.

[Rhoxi]

The video card is the problem, I just can't figure out why.

The thing about the switchable graphics you mentioned, MrsFlynn was definitely helpful. I found some updates I was missing, which then allowed me to get to the Catalyst Control Center and assign which graphics to use for which programs. I made sure every Sims .exe was assigned to the high graphics. I also made sure that I had the most recent drivers for my graphics card. Here's what the crash log says now:

          Processor Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2675QM CPU @ 2.20GHz
  Processor Architecture: AMD64
      Graphics Processor: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family (3.77 GiB)
             Antiviruses: avast! Antivirus

Games Installed: The Sims™ 3 (1.50.56.021001), The Sims™ 3 World Adventures (2.0.86.002017 -> 2.17.2.011037), The Sims™ 3 High-End Loft Stuff (3.0.38.004017 -> 3.13.1.011037), The Sims™ 3 Ambitions (4.0.87.006001 -> 4.10.1.011031), The Sims™ 3 Late Night (6.0.81.009001 -> 6.5.1.011031), The Sims™ 3 Outdoor Living Stuff (7.0.55.010017 -> 7.3.2.011037), The Sims™ 3 Generations (8.0.152.011017), The Sims™ 3 Pets (10.0.96.013017), The Sims™ 3 Master Suite Stuff (11.0.84.014017), The Sims™ 3 Showtime (12.0.273.015017), The Sims™ 3 Supernatural (15.0.135.018017), The Sims™ 3 Seasons (16.0.136.019017), The Sims™ 3 University Life (18.0.126.021001)
 Custom Content: Yes (1 found)

[INSUFFICIENT GRAPHICS] 4/20/2013 11:53:41 AM
     OS Version: 6.1.7601


It's gone from saying Graphics Processor: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family (2.00 GiB) to Graphics Processor: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family (3.77 GiB). So it looks like it's now correctly using the better graphics, but it's still crashing.

Any further tips?

Thanks, Rhoxi

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Rhoxi,

I can't think of anything else that might help. From what Hubby tells me Sims 3 doesn't do well with the Intel HD Graphics Cards. They aren't powerful enough for Sims 3. With the graphics card being built into processor buying a new one is not an option.

I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help,

MrsFlynn

[Rhoxi]

Actually, you've been plenty helpful, MrsFlynn. Thank you! The thing with the switchable graphics and making sure sims was assigned to the good one has gone a long way, I think. Don't give up on my graphics card yet! This laptop ran my immortal dynasty to completion, even max speed with no lag, so it definitely has the capability to run Sims 3. The Intel graphics, it's true aren't powerful enough; I think that's the integrated graphics in the CPU. The AMD Radeon HD 6490M, however, should be handling this like a pro.

One thing I'm noticing, is that even though Sims is reassigned to the high performance graphics (so it should be using the AMD one), is that while it's loading the screen dims. It's bright, then it dims, and that means crash. It's like it's still trying to use the Intel graphics? I'm not sure. One time it loaded up all bright and ran fine until I tried tabbing out then back in. Then dimming and crash. I've check power options and made sure they're selected to high performance, not energy saving, but that doesn't seem to fix it.

At this point, I may be looking at a full on re-install of the entire operating system. Ah well, if anyone thinks of any more tips, keep it coming!

Thanks,
Rhoxi

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Rhoxi,

I'm happy to hear that it was able to run a dynasty challenge to completion. So yeah, maybe a complete uninstall and reinstall of the operating system and Sims might help.  I hope so!!

MrsFlynn

[Rhoxi]

I have re-installed the operating system, but it doesn't seem to have helped.

Here's where I am at right now: If I run without anything at all in the DCCache file, the game runs fine --unless I tab out. When I tab back in the screen dims, as if the game is switching to using the integrated Intel graphics instead of the nice AMD one, and it crashes. After each crash, the game generates a file in my DCCache file named dcdbt.ebc. If I delete this file before playing, it can run fine as long as I don't tab out. I also cannot install any store content, as anything in the DCCache folder causes the game to crash.