Improving Preformance

[Moderator]

I have a game (The Sims 2) that does not run very well on my computer.
It requires a large amount of RAM to run fast. I have 512 MB of RAM (so I meet those requirements) and I would like to know if increasing the virtual RAM would help.
I would also like to know if there are any problem caused by increasing the virtual RAM.
Any other information that could be needed (like System Specs) can be provided.
Attached is a screen shot of my current Virtual RAM settings.

(the forum seems to be going very slow today)

[Moderator]

Just a note:
My computer has only one time incresed the pageing size once by itsself. I have never even touched it before. And yes, I know that does not explain why Custome is selected.

[Moderator]

First of all, the requirements on the box are the minumum, meaning that the game will only function with at least that much. Don't expect great quality when you are close to the minimum. I would like to see your full system specs please. I'm more interested in the basics... Processor, Video Card, etc. Second, don't mess with virtual memory settings unless you know what you're doing. I keep my level at "System Managed" and it works fine for me.

Flame

[Moderator]

 
Welcome!


Welcome to Electronic Arts System Information Utility, Easy Info. This tool can be used by yourself and our technical support representatives to help find a solution to any technical issues you may be experiencing with your game. Please make sure that your system meets minimum requirements and that you have the most updated drivers for both your video and sound devices.

If you need further assistance please click here.
    
 
Due to lack of being able to post large posts, picture has been attached for this section

Operating System Information
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
 
Internet Explorer Information
Version   6.00.2900.2180  
 
 
System Device Information
Processor
Intel Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.93GHz 2933.1 Mhz
 
Memory
System Total   504.5  
Virtual Total   2047.9  
Pagefile Total   1230.2  
      
Snapshot    
System Available   199.3  
Virtual Available   2003.6  
Pagefile Available   858.7  
 
Monitor Information
Monitor Name   Plug and Play Monitor  
Refresh Rate   60 Hz  
 
Network Card Information
Name   Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC - Packet Scheduler Miniport  
IP Address   71.112.113.120  
Subnet Mask   255.255.255.0  
Gateway   71.112.113.1  
Primary WINS Server   N/A  
DHCP   71.112.113.1  
 
 
System Device Information
Background Processes Information
 Process Name   [System Process]  
 Process Name   System  
 Process Name   smss.exe  
 Process Name   csrss.exe  
 Process Name   winlogon.exe  
 Process Name   services.exe  
 Process Name   lsass.exe  
 Process Name   svchost.exe  
 Process Name   svchost.exe  
 Process Name   svchost.exe  
 Process Name   svchost.exe  
 Process Name   explorer.exe  
 Process Name   LEXBCES.EXE  
 Process Name   spoolsv.exe  
 Process Name   hpsysdrv.exe  
 Process Name   kbd.exe  
 Process Name   igfxtray.exe  
 Process Name   hkcmd.exe  
 Process Name   AGRSMMSG.exe  
 Process Name   ALCXMNTR.EXE  
 Process Name   WkUFind.exe  
 Process Name   iTunesHelper.exe  
 Process Name   VERIZO~1.EXE  
 Process Name   MotiveSB.exe  
 Process Name   mcvsshld.exe  
 Process Name   oasclnt.exe  
 Process Name   mcagent.exe  
 Process Name   cmisrv.exe  
 Process Name   MpfTray.exe  
 Process Name   McVSEscn.exe  
 Process Name   ctfmon.exe  
 Process Name   apod.exe  
 Process Name   Compaq Connections.exe  
 Process Name   cisvc.exe  
 Process Name   Mcdetect.exe  
 Process Name   McShield.exe  
 Process Name   McTskshd.exe  
 Process Name   MDM.EXE  
 Process Name   MpfService.exe  
 Process Name   svchost.exe  
 Process Name   WRSSSDK.exe  
 Process Name   wdfmgr.exe  
 Process Name   UStorSrv.exe  
 Process Name   CALMAIN.exe  
 Process Name   iPodService.exe  
 Process Name   alg.exe  
 Process Name   MpfAgent.exe  
 Process Name   vzOpenUIServer.exe  
 Process Name   MotiveBrowser.exe  
 Process Name   mcvsftsn.exe  
 Process Name   msmsgs.exe  
 Process Name   svchost.exe  
 Process Name   cidaemon.exe  
 Process Name   SpySweeper.exe  
 Process Name   msnmsgr.exe  
 Process Name   iPodService.exe  
 Process Name   mspaint.exe  
 Process Name   IEXPLORE.EXE  
 Process Name   WINWORD.EXE  
 Process Name   agentsvr.exe  
 Process Name   EasyInfo.exe  
 Process Name   wmiprvse.exe  
 
 
Media Device Information
Mass Storage Devices
Type   Fixed  
File System   NTFS  
Total Space   76.7 GB  
Free Space   46.4 GB  
 
Mass Storage Devices
Type   CD / DVD Drive  
File System   N/A  
Total Space   0 Bytes  
Free Space   0 Bytes  
 
Mass Storage Devices
Type   CD / DVD Drive  
File System   CDFS  
Total Space   650.1 MB  
Free Space   0 Bytes  
 
Mass Storage Devices
Type   Removable  
File System   N/A  
Total Space   0 Bytes  
Free Space   0 Bytes  
 
Mass Storage Devices
Type   Removable  
File System   N/A  
Total Space   0 Bytes  
Free Space   0 Bytes  
 
Mass Storage Devices
Type   Removable  
File System   N/A  
Total Space   0 Bytes  
Free Space   0 Bytes  
 
Mass Storage Devices
Type   Removable  
File System   N/A  
Total Space   0 Bytes  
Free Space   0 Bytes  
 
DirectX Information
Version   9.0c  
Long Version   4.09.0000.0904  
 
Display Device (Primary Only)
Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Device    
Description   Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller  
Manufacturer   Intel Corporation  
GUID   D7B78E66-6622-11CF-8C73-000AACC2CD35  
      
Driver    
Version   6.14.10.4342  
Module   ialmrnt5.dll  
Date   6-22-2005  
      
Memory    
Local   64.0  
Local   57.7  
Non-Local   0.0  
Texture   57.7  
 
Sound Device (Primary Only)
Realtek AC97 Audio
Device    
Description   Realtek AC97 Audio  
Manufacturer   Realtek Semiconductor Corp.  
GUID   BD6DD71A-3DEB-11D1-B171-00C04FC20000  
      
Driver    
Version   5.10.5730  
Module   ALCXWDM.SYS  
Date   10-1-2004

[Moderator]

I have an HTML export of this file, but I cannot attach it.

[Moderator]

The real problem has to do with my Display Device.
Flame: I sent the specs in an email.

[Moderator]

It looks like you have on-board video graphics, right? No card? This might be your problem. You need a better video performer than on-board for this. I woudl say at least 128 MB card to run smoothly. Not too expensive either.

Flame

[Moderator]

Hm, from what your processes show me, you don't have any anti-virus, anti-spyware, or firewall protection... Please tell me that you have protection and you just disabled it to run the game...

Flame

[Moderator]

OK, the problem I also have is that my computer is not PCI Express compatible.
I need a regular PCI card, with 128 MB or RAM that is compatible with my system.
Any ideas? (nothing expensive)

[Moderator]

I have McAfee Firewall, McAfee Virus scan, WebrootSpySweeper, Yahoo Spyare Scanner, and Microsoft Anit-Spyware. All kept updated, and all dissabled only to play the game.

(for a while, before this forum, I was living off Free Online Scanners and a REALLY outdated version of Symantec and the Yahoo Toolbar Sypware Scanner)

[Moderator]

McAfee Firewall and Anti-Virus and Webroot are all listed in the processes.

no video card to run sims 2? You should definately go get one, or you can always change the graphic on the game to a minimal. But you would lose all the cool facial expressions the sims give and the terrian... that would be a great loss... But serioualy you must get a video card to play sims 2, it has great game play and you would not want to miss it due to a video card problem.

[Moderator]

But you would lose all the cool facial expressions the sims give and the terrian... that would be a great loss...

I feel like crying. I am already missing all of that. I know its a great game, but I cannot get a PCI Express card, only PCI

[Moderator]

I am chatting with support right now.

[Moderator]

They say:

Scott G: You can install any PCI video card from Nvidia (Geforce card) or ATI (Radeon card) in this computer.