Long start up time

[wedward]

It is taking 15-20 minutes from the welcome page to get into my game.  I was told that i need a stronger video card which in turn requires a new power supply...is this the only option?  I did empty caches but no difference.

[pallyndrome]

Do you mean it takes that long to load your specific game file? Are other game files taking that long too? If not, perhaps you just have a big game. I've had that - only solution is to wait with patience

[Ricalynn]

If you're talking about the part that it takes from hitting the play button until the time that the plumbob first appears, just so you know it takes more and more time the more items you have in your game this includes store content, 3rd party CC and probably mods as well.

[grimsoul]

Also as you play a game and you add on the your house or the town grows with more people the save files get bigger and takes longer to load also.
Like one game I just started by haven't played much the save is about 50 megs but one I been playing awhile is about 340 megs. That makes a big difference in the load time.

[Ricalynn]

My dynasty file is 2.11 GB per save/backup save.  I'm on Generation 6 and it takes me anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes to get it to load just after I've chosen the file.    There are other dynasty files that I've heard taking up to 2 hours just to start.    If this is your problem, than my suggestion is (if you're allowed meaning not a challenge file) to maybe move towns with your current household to see if that helps at all.

[wedward]

I ended up saving my game in a file and reinstalling my game.  Now i cant even get my game back so i started a new one.  Seems that my biggest problem is that i am running a 32 bit on a 64?  (If that make sense) and it looks like i'll just have to live with it til they put out a patch to fix it.  I wanted to add some expansion packs but I wont until this one with Ambitions, runs better than it does now.

[sharpsiren]

I suppose your question has pretty much been answered, but since you're starting a new game anyway I thought I'd add that memories seem to add to the growing file problem. When I start a new game I try to regularly delete unneeded memories before it gets out of control. "Caught a minnow!" is great and all but I don't need 10 memories of the same thing.

[wedward]

Wow....i will try to delete memories....I always just ignore them!!! Thanks....every little bit helps cuz now i'm already getting freeze ups on my new game so...don't hesitate to send suggestions!!!

[sharpsiren]

You're very welcome. I learned the memory thing from someone on this forum and it has helped me a lot.

[Pam]

I suppose your question has pretty much been answered, but since you're starting a new game anyway I thought I'd add that memories seem to add to the growing file problem. When I start a new game I try to regularly delete unneeded memories before it gets out of control. "Caught a minnow!" is great and all but I don't need 10 memories of the same thing.

Have you found a way to delete multiple memories at once?  Or do you delete them one at a time?

[Rainbow Dash]

@Pam: I don't think there is a way to delete multiple memories at once but if there is then I want to know!

Another way to reduce loading times and lag is to go through and delete screenshots and videos that you don't want or will never use, I had over 1500 screenshots at one point and my game sped up after getting rid of them. 

[Ricalynn]

There are mods that allow you to remove all memories of once, not just for your Sims but also for your entire town.   To do it without a mod, like Pam prefers, then it's probably not going to be possible until the Seasons patch where they will become optional. 

I didn't realize that screenshots could cause part of the problem.  I always try to keep my uploads in a different location but now I'll remember to keep more organized about my screenshots too.  I keep around 300 in that folder at a time it feels like some days.

[Draigh]

If you don't object to using Mods, you can use Twallan's mods to manage some of these things mentioned above.
Specifically ErrorTrap, Overwatch and MasterController.

Overwatch:
Fixing stuck sims, removing lost objects, removing homeless sims, turning off unused radios and tv's and other interventions that might lag your game.

MasterController:
Technically this one just gives you a lot more control over your game (acting like an improved cheat if you wish to use it like that). But useful things that you might want to have available are:
Reset Sim (stronger version than the console command), Allow Memory Creation (put it on false and no sim will get memories), Remove Memories (remove all or some memories from either the active sim, sim household or all sims)

[sdhoey]

As soon as I finish playing, I go in and move my screenshots to a folder on my desktop. That way I can sort them between my dynasty and my legacy story. Then I make use to delete any unnecessary shots left that I don't need. That way they don't build up.

[wedward]

Can you walk me through the process of deleting memories?  I've never done that....don't know how..
Thanks
Wanda:)