Nothing works

[redmare]

I finally got all my EPs installed on my new computer, but now the game is all screwed up? The visual quality is super bad, and making adjustments in the graphics panel doesn't seem to work. Also, when I start a new game, the option to choose a family in town does not appear. Is this because I downloaded the super patch? Or is it something else? I don't think I ever messed much with the graphics on my own computer. I'm confused in general. Help?

[KhaineGB]

Did you re-apply the super patch a second time?

That's what I have to do.

Install Base Game -> Super Patch (1.67) -> Install EP's and SP's -> Super Patch AGAIN -> Run Game.

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Redmare,

Did you make sure your video card driver is up to date? If it's not it can make Sims 3 do some really weird things. Also, when playing the game. Make sure to exit tutorial mode.  -- Go to Edit Town mode and it will prompt you to exit the tutorial mode. I forget to do that myself from time to time.. Specially when I haven't played in awhile. *Blush*

MrsFlynn

[redmare]

I'll try the super patch thing. How can I tell if my video driver's up to date?

[MrsFlynn]

It depends on what your video card is. As some manufacturer's websites are a little confusing. However what we do with our desktop is go to the video card's manufacturer's website to download the current drivers. And then install from there. It may tell you that they're already updated.

[redmare]

I tried the super patch thing, but the graphics still suck. I don't think the video driver is the problem, because I haven't had any trouble with quality in other areas, and this computer is brand new. Any ideas?

[MrsFlynn]

Okay, good to know. Have you posted your computer's specs here in the forum? If not would you mind posting them?

If you're not sure how to do that, here's a how to on that.

Topic: How To: Find System Information - Window 8
http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,18902.0.html

Just in case you're using Windows 7, look in the same topic as above, but towards the bottom of that post is a link for Windows 7.

MrsFlynn

[KhaineGB]

The super patch should -hopefully- fix the other issues regarding towns and families.

Follow MrsFlynn's advice and we can help work out what graphics card you have and how to update the drivers... and hopefully fix the last few problems!

[redmare]

Do you want me to post that whole giant document or just one part of it?

[MrsFlynn]

Just posting some parts of it would be fine.

We need the System Information section and a part of Display Devices - Just list the Card name, Manufacturer, Display Memory, and Shared Memory.

What I just did for a test was saved the DxDiag.txt file desktop. Looked down the list, and made note of what needs to be copied into a post. After you've got the information posted. Go ahead and delete the DxDiag.txt file from the desktop.

MrsFlynn

[redmare]

Time of this report: 7/26/2014, 10:13:47
       Machine name: LAPTOP
   Operating System: Windows 8.1 64-bit (6.3, Build 9600) (9600.winblue_gdr.140330-1035)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
       System Model: Satellite L55-B
               BIOS: 1.40
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210U CPU @ 1.70GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
             Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8112MB RAM
          Page File: 2077MB used, 7314MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.03.9600.16384 64bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
          Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
       Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
 Display Memory: 1792 MB
 Shared Memory: 1792 MB

[KhaineGB]

Right, I was concerned your graphics card might be the problem, since it just says "Intel HD Graphics." So, I searched for your laptop model since it's listed in the information. I found out you have an Intel HD 4400, which is apparently good enough to run The Sims 3 around medium settings.

As such, I would suggest new drivers... which can apparently be done by downloading this...

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect/graphics

That program should auto-detect your graphics card and download the latest drivers for it. If it doesn't, let us know.