Driver igfx Crashing?

[becca1695]

Ever since I installed Sims Ambitions my sims keeps crashing saying "Driver igfx has crashed and recovered" and I don't understand what's happening. I went to this site that analyzes whether or not your computer can run a program and it said something like "your CPU Speed is too slow" and it's never happened before, so I don't get why it's happening now. On the Ambitions box, it says I meet the requirements (or so my mom says). Does anyone know how to fix this (in the cheapest way possible)?

And for those who need to know I have a Vista laptop, it's only 1 1/2 years old, and thats really all I know o_0 I don't know much about computers.  


UPDATE: Thank you all for your replies! I tried my aunts tips and I believe it has fixed the problem for now, but I will continue to look into updating my video drivers.

And for anyone who might have this issue here's how it was fixed (My Aunt's Tips):

For Vista: Install all available updates that Windows offers, restart your computer afterwards.

If you're a Dell user and that doesn't work go to:
 http://support.dell.com/ and enter your computers service tag, this will get you updates specifically for your computer. It is recommended that you install BIOS and graphic updates, and then restart your computer. 

And lastly run http://www.ccleaner.com/ (all tools) and http://www.defraggler.com/ (all hard drives and/or partitions) to make your computer faster.

[Pam]

I'm moving this to the Technical Help board.

[Archer0]

igfx(Intel) is your video driver.  Try going to your laptop makers website and seeing whether they have instructions and newer drivers for you.  Also if it's not happening until after hours of playing, make sure the vents on your laptop aren't being blocked with dust or something else.

[becca1695]

Usually this happens after a few minutes and there's practically nothing on my desk except my mouse and computer, so nothing's being blocked. And I'll go looking for info on the site, thanks!

[Leto85]

Usually this happens after a few minutes and theres practically nothing on my desk except my mouse and computer so nothings being blocked. And ill go looking for info on the site, thanks!

What exact error do you get? Because if we know that, we can search more specific on Google for you. You've told us you don't know a lot about computers, so I or someone else could search things up for you.

[Archer0]

What exact error do you get? Because if we know that we can search more specific on Google for you. You've told us you don't know a lot about computers, so me or someone else could search things up for you.

Leto, it's in there - "Driver igfx has crashed and recovered"

That's a message from VPU recovery in windows.  It's not Sims 3 specific. 

[becca1695]

Hmm, well, since it's not sims related, what exactly is it? o_0 My aunt sent me some instructions that might help, so I'm going to try that. I'll update on how that goes, but suggestions are still welcome.

[Leto85]

Leto, it's in there - "Driver igfx has crashed and recovered"

That's a message from VPU recovery in windows.  It's not Sims 3 specific.  

Thanks.
I've searched for you on the internet, but the forums I found related to this issue where from 2009 or earlier. One from April this year about someone who has the same kind of problems like you, related to The Sims 3. The others were for World of Warcraft.

I think you should send an mail to EA, if you haven't done that before. A few people thought this is some Vista related problem, but I cannot confirm that.

I'm sorry I cannot help you further.

[Archer0]

Hmm, well, since it's not sims related, what exactly is it? o_0 My aunt sent me some instructions that might help, so I'm going to try that. I'll update on how that goes, but suggestions are still welcome.

Oh, it's related to Sims 3.  Running Sims 3 is revealing the problem.  My guess would be that if you ran another 3D game, you would encounter the same crash.  Updating your video drivers does 2 things, it overwrites any drivers that might have become corrupted and also hopefully fixes any issues that may have been introduced by installing ambitions or the recent patch.

Making sure drivers are current is kind of standard operating procedure for games on the PC and will be one of the first things recommended by a game manufacturer, to alleviate any issues.  If you want some step by step directions, there's great help over on the official forums in the technical help section.  The sticky posts at the top.  I think one is called master help thread.  Beyond that, do as Leto suggests, and contact EA support thru email or the other ways they have available and they should be able to walk you thru some steps.  After all, you have paid them money for their product and are entitled to some support.  

[Alsier]

As suggested, certainly try updating the video drivers.  However, it is possible for the actual video card hardware to cause software driver errors.  If the card is overheating it can cause it to report software errors.  I've seen cards where the fan stopped working on them, they would work under normal conditions, but would cause software errors, or even BSOD and other crashes when a program with intense video was used.  Likewise, over time the card can just go bad from stress of use.  If everything was working fine in the past and you did not make a software change, then unfortunately it may be time for a new video card.