Vista - Sims 2 :(

I've been trying for weeks to get Sims 2 running. Everything goes fine till its half way loaded on the splash screen, then it crashes. I think it's a problem with my graphics card, has anyone got the same card [Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family] and can run the Sims 2?

Thank you.

What are your specs? Desktop or laptop?
We have no idea.

~Lordbob

It's a laptop.
i've run it on http://www.systemrequirementslab.com and it passes all the graphics driver test BUT its not compatible with the sims.
I've come to the conclusion that its definately the graphics card, so how do I go about getting a new one?

Look here to see if any of the suggestions work - The Sims 2, still confused?

You cannot replace the graphics in a laptop. Either buy a new laptop, or just get a desktop for gaming. Sorry, but laptops + games = fail.

~Lordbob

Like all things it depends on the laptop and graphics card installed. Here’s a good thread here - Upgrading Mobile Graphics Cards - ***Read Before Posting*** - Notebook Forums and Laptop Discussion. I would contact your laptop manufacturer to see if you can have your card replaced; at least you'll know for sure.

As to laptop gaming – There are laptops that game very well, and in fact some are built for gaming.
Gaming Laptops / Notebooks: Gaming laptops & powerful laptops, XPS laptop computers is but one example.


~Lordbob please read the provided links.

OK sygnus, you are right there. I was reffering to the standard laptop that costs less than $1000 and is not made for gaming. True, most can run games, and yes some can even change out their video cards. In general, I believe this to be rare, though I don't have a laptop so if I'm wrong, I'm sorry.

In the future, I won't be so generalistic. Sorry.

~Lordbob

I think I may have a solution. I was having the same issue as many, Sims installed fine in Vista, but when launching the game got the "this game has know issues with this OS" or something to that nature. I did as others and updated the game as suggested and no longer got that message when attempting to launch the game, but it would hang on the Sims 2 start screen. Audio was working. After giving up and un-installing I was loading Crysis on my new install of Vista. Upon completion of install and checking for updates I got a message stating "you are missing an important Microsoft update, would you like to download it" I followed the link and discovered the update addresses "virtual address space usage in Windows Vista Game Development" (title of the support article) Long story shortened. I thought I would give it try and reinstalled Sims 2. No problems. Fast and stable. Nightlife, Pets, Seasons and Freetime working also. Hope this helps. Virtual address space usage in Windows Vista game development Antec P182 Case Antec Quattro 850W power supply Asus P5E Deluxe 4 Gig Gskill 1066 E8400 3.0 gig Core 2 Duo 2 Sapphire 4850 1gig video card in Crossfire Vista 64 bit Business