Sims 3 won't load

[freddysimensen]

I play Sims 3 through steam. Well, at least i used to. Recently I haven't been able to play at all. When i load the game on steam, everything goes according to plan, but once my screen gets black and the little blue circle comes up loading (like I've tried to illustrate on this picture), something goes wrong.

I get tossed out of the game. No error message. Nothing. And the game still lays there at the taskbar, laughing at me.



I push and I push, but I can't get in. What can I do? I really miss playing Sims 3. Can't seem to find an answer anywhere to this particular problem. I've tried to remove my mods in case there was some conflict going on, but no. I also tried uninstalling the game. I'm using Windows 7 btw.

Fredrik

[MrsFlynn]

See tips in the thread linked below:

Game Will Not Launch/Start/Load
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=25717.msg433695#msg433695

[freddysimensen]

Nothing of that worked. Sorry to say : (

[MrsFlynn]

I tried to search more on the problem. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with Steam itself. It's more there's a problem with it loading. I may have found something that will help. Not totally sure, as I've never experienced this exact problem.

In the link below, it is suggested to read Crinrict's page on black screen, long loading times. So I am adding that link as well. As it has some tips you can try to see if that helps.

My Sims 3 for PC still won't Load
http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/My-Sims-3-for-PC-still-won-t-Load/td-p/1607517

Black Screen, long loading times and TMP files in DCCache
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2013/06/black-screen-long-loading-times-and-tmp-files-in-dccache.html

[freddysimensen]

Still nothing works. I also should specify that I'm not stuck on the load screen. I get tossed out automaticly after 3-7 seconds. And the game still appears to be open in my taskbar

[MrsFlynn]

Right, what sounds like is happening is while it's trying to load it crashes. Why it crashes is what we're trying to figure out.

For example, every now and again, my game crashes to desktop. From what we can tell it's because the game and my sound driver conflict with each other. All I can do is try launching the game again.

Doing some searching on the problem. - Sims 3 crashing while loading

If you're not able to get the game loaded to the main menu. What we can do is try to edit the options.ini file.

C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\options.ini

This link below will help walk you through editing the options.ini file
http://modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Sims_3_Crashing_Checklist

I am also including a zipped file that has my options.ini file in it. In case you want to try it to see if it helps.

I have most things turned off, medium settings

Windowed mode with 1366x768 in-game screen resolution

General Settings:
UnCheck In-game Store / Lessons / Interactive Loading Screens
Disable Memories
Edge Scrolling Checked and 12 hour clock

==========
Online Settings:
No Online Notifications = All online options unchecked.

Weather turned off

Let me know if any of this helps? -- I'm thinking if it does help, you can then go into options and change it to your liking

[freddysimensen]

Hey! I actually didn't do what you suggested with the options.ini file, but I somehow got the game to work after months of not getting in! : O it might have been because of a steam-update, but I've gotten several updates in the last few months. Neverthereless, the game crashes my entire computer after 5 minutes. Is there anything I should do with the settings in the in-game option menu to make my computer tollerate the game? Thanks for all your help so far btw

[MrsFlynn]

Wow!! Crashing after 5 minutes. That's not good. What are your computer specs, if I might ask?

How To: Find System Specs:
https://help.ea.com/en/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/

You're welcome. Thank you for allowing me to help troubleshoot the problem.

[MrsFlynn]

The only thing I can think of without knowing what the specs of your computer are is that the video card driver may need to be updated [Did you already try this?] Or that you may (?) have a computer that has dual graphics.

How-To: Get Sims 3 to Recognize a New Graphics Card
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=26753.msg446248#msg446248

It sounds like you've tried most of these other crashing tips? I have added a few others.

1. Factory Reset - Sims 3 Factory Reset (What & Howto)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg401814#msg401814

2. Moved the Mods folder to desktop or someplace safe - tried to run game without mods.

3. Make Sure Drivers Are Up To Date
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg401815#msg401815

4. Ensure that Antivirus or security software is not blocking the launch of the game.
http://help.ea.com/en/article/connection-issues-with-origin/#1

5. Try running a Clean Boot as this will help with stopping any other programs from interfering.
http://help.ea.com/en/article/how-to-clean-boot-your-pc/

The Tips below may not work for those using Origin/EA App.

6. Try running the game by by-passing the launcher, and use the TS3.exe file to run the game.

Go to ---> C:\Program Files (x86)\TheSims3\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe - and click on the file TS3W.exe to launch the game.

7. Add Sims 3 and Expansions to the Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=20732.msg447430#msg447430

[freddysimensen]

------------------
System Information
------------------
System Manufacturer: Acer
       System Model: Aspire X3990
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.4GHz
             Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8174MB RAM
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.160408-2045)
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
          Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 530
       Manufacturer: NVIDIA
          Chip type: GeForce GT 530

     Display Memory: 4048 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 2000 MB
      Shared Memory: 2047 MB
       Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)

There are some of your options I haven't tried. I'm kind of a noob when it comes to computers. With this information available, what do you suggest I do?

[MrsFlynn]

Hmm.. Processor and memory look great, video card is a low grade card. So I'd set the graphics on low.

Try some of the tips on this post linked below.

Re: Sims 3 won't load
http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=26821.msg447433#msg447433

Make sure the case has good cooling, as it sounds like the video card may be getting to hot, forcing the game to shut down.

[freddysimensen]

Well. Now I've tried everything and nothing seems to work. Even turned down the graphics. Maybe it has to be the video card then?

Something else thats odd (and I've tested this time and time again just to be sure its no coincidence): The previous problem I had is still there, but if I right click the mouse a couple of times while it's loading - THEN - it lets me into the game! Isn't that strange? : o

[MrsFlynn]

Yes that is strange. 

I was going to suggest if you have a computer friend or a place you can take the desktop to, to buy a power supply and video card and have them installed.

However, we had a look at information about your desktop and it looks to have a proprietary power supply that is very under powered for gaming. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a more powerful power supply available and because of the way the system is designed there may not be any way to upgrade the video card and power supply.

[freddysimensen]

That's bad news I guess. The game played just fine 6 months ago though. Is there nothing else I can do? Except from buying a new computer

[MrsFlynn]

I don't think so. As what sounds like may have happened is the computer overheated and caused the video card or other computer parts to quit working properly. Due to the video card being under powered.

I'm really sorry.