Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

The Sims 2 Graphics Problem

I was under the impression that the last graphics firmware update would fix this. To get the firmware update, just run Software Update, which is located in the Apple menu. Let us know if it fixes your issues.

I'm busy with my PS3 for now, so I'm not in a big hurry to buy The Sims 2, but I'd still like to know if that firmware update fixed the issues.
 
I Ran Software Update. I run it every day.

No. It doesn't help.

I'm getting increasingly annoyed about this.
 
hey guys, i have a macbook, and i've kinda seen different answers, so i thought i'd ask. so there is NO possible way to play sims 2? there's no way to update a video card? that boot camp thing won't work? bummer.
 
The answers to your questions are:

Yes, I can play Sims 2 -- so long as I don't mind the backgrounds constantly flickering in and out of sight, objects, people, and furniture vanishing, entire portions of the neighborhood disappearing into vast pale blue rectangles, etc. etc, etc...

No, with my Imac, updating and/or replacing the video card is not an option. Too expensive, and it involves major surgery on the computer.

No, the Boot Camp thing won't work. You see, I'd STILL be using that video card -- the one that makes the backgrounds constantly flicker in and out of sight, objects, people, and furniture vanish, entire portions of the neighborhood disappear into vast pale blue rectangles, etc. etc, etc...

I had a conversation yesterday with an Apple representative about this. Asked about Boot Camp. Asked about changing the video card. These are the answers he gave me.

And yes. It's a bummer. I hate feeling like a sucker.

caats19 said:
hey guys, i have a macbook, and i've kinda seen different answers, so i thought i'd ask. so there is NO possible way to play sims 2? there's no way to update a video card? that boot camp thing won't work? bummer.
Click to expand...
 
Actually...

I was playing the Sims 2 quite well under bootcamp for awhile on a new
Aluminum iMac 20 inch with 4GB ram under XP pro.
VERY Playable, VERY smooth, no graphic "glitches", in fact it was my "best"
Sims2 experience on any computer so far.
(although I did have to "tweak" one of the graphic setings to display in fullscreen resolution but it was pretty easy to find and do via a google search)

Recently I "hosed" my windows partition and since I had "borrowed" some of the upgrade discs from my daughter I have not been able to "rebuild" my
Sims2 program due to Maxis's totally RETARDED copy protection scheme.
Even if you back up your program files and user data info you STILL are more than likely to have to re-install the whole shooting match from scratch and just replace your Sims data files from your previous installation.
(And before you "moralists" start screaming at me, MAXIS has GOTTEN my money, At one time I had to purchase 3 separate installations of the original Sims for myself and my daughter as we played on 2 different platforms at 2 different locations, so I have quite a stack of Sims disks laying around, just not the ones I need right NOW, LOL)

But, back to the original topic.
Even under OSX I found it to be highly playable and had no major graphic disruptions. But this was only on the original Sims2 for the mac with no expansion packs.

My current setup is this.
iMac Aluminum 2.4 with the ATI 2600HD, 4GB Ram. Windows XP Pro Partiton via bootcamp with 3GB adressable Ram. (64 bit thingamajig)
Hopefully, by this weekend , I will have all restored and can give you some hard benchmarks on this.

I will also be purchasing one of the new MacBooks this week for my daughters Christmas present and I hope to "pre-load" all of her stuff on it prior to "gifting" so I should be able to provide some benchmarks under both OS's from there as well.
(Really, just an excuse for Dad to play with some new hardware)

I will keep you posted as it happens.
One more thing, I have upgraded to 10.5, so I will let you know if that makes a difference also.

WRC
 
I'm thinking...

It MIGHT be possible, with the new X3100 chipset and enough Ram under XP.
Like I said, I'll be checking it all out this week and I will post results.
(I seem to remember it being "playable" but pretty nasty on the older hardware before the refresh)
I plan on putting 4GB Ram in a stock white MacBook (2.2 SR), and installing WinXP Pro under bootcamp.

WRC
 
wcalderini said:
It MIGHT be possible, with the new X3100 chipset and enough Ram under XP.
Like I said, I'll be checking it all out this week and I will post results.
(I seem to remember it being "playable" but pretty nasty on the older hardware before the refresh)
I plan on putting 4GB Ram in a stock white MacBook (2.2 SR), and installing WinXP Pro under bootcamp.

WRC
Click to expand...

Hi

Just to verify.

Sims 2(PC version) is working fine on your iMAC with a 2600 HD grafic card.
Have you tested it with both XP and Vista ?

Regards Lasse
 
Yes.
It works fine under Bootcamp running windows XP Pro with 4GB for me.
Expansion packs through Bon Voyage with all the accessory packs installed also.
Everything SEEMED fine set to medium to high graphics with no stutters or anything. (although I have not played recently, all seemed fine when just "looking around" and visiting specific houses that I have in neighborhoods)
And this was using the 10.5 Driver for the video card that bootcamp installed on the windows side.
There is a very specific tweak that needs to be done though in order for the game to run in full native resolution in Windows though.
It involves editing one of the configuration files manually in the notepad application to change the maximum resolution.
(I would detail it, but I am at work ATM and my iMac is home)

I also recently installed the whole shooting match on my daughters new MacBook, (Windows XP Pro, Bootcamp, X3100 graphics, 4GB ram), and
found it to be highly playable at medium settings. Smooth scrolling, public lots with very little if any stuttering, with no graphical errors.

But keep in mind, all of this is running in XP Pro under bootcamp and I have no real experience with The Sims 2 in OSX except with the original DVD with no expansions.
Hope this helps.

WRC
 
Has anyone tried The Sims2 with Bon Voyage installed under Leopard? According to this page, it supports the AluMac's video cards; it's the first time I've seen them specified on a spec page.

FWIW, I've installed The Sims Life Stories on Leopard ( 20", 2.4Ghz, HD2600 ), and haven't seen any issues....
 
Bon Voyage video card

When i went to the Aspyr website, it did specify that you could use the Aluminum Mac's video cards on the game... but even so, wouldn't that mean you can't install any other expansion packs besides that one if you didn't want to have problems?
 
Wait wait wait, You means blue flashing issue or graphic issue? It can resolved by following an instruction below.

"The issue that you describe, the blue flashing, can be resolved if you turn off the "Optimized Rendering" option. To access this, hold down the Apple (Command) key as you launch the game. It will be one of the options in the dialogue box that comes up."
Click to expand...

It worked so great on my iMac, annoying blue flashing is all gone.

I owned The Sims 2 with all expansion packs except Happy Holidays and Glamour Stuff.
 
lisamcdee said:
I don't know that. You would have to contact Aspyr. There is a problem with a number of Aspyr games and the new iMacs, though. It is possible that the Sims 2 is only be unplayable on the 20 inch iMac, as a couple of simmers who have the larger model have told me that it plays okay on their machines.
Click to expand...

False, I own 20" black Alu iMac with HD 2400 XT and this game is work so greatly.
 
lisamcdee said:
The Sims 2 is unplayable on the new aluminum intel iMacs. The problem is the graphic cards. If you contact Aspyr, they will tell you that they are aware of the problem but, unfortunately, they are unable to support any of their games on the new iMacs at this time. Whether or not they will eventually be able to fix the problem is unclear. Many of the games ported by Aspyr do not run on the new machines. Highly disappointing for those of us who bought new iMacs with our favourite Mac games in mind.
Click to expand...

my sims 2 is perfectly playable on my imac......
the only problem is, earlier, on build mode the screen for build mode was going blue, so i am going to try the tip up there ^!
x=
 
Omg, My, Saviour!

lucky3killer said:
Wait wait wait, You means blue flashing issue or graphic issue? It can resolved by following an instruction below.

"The issue that you describe, the blue flashing, can be resolved if you turn off the "Optimized Rendering" option. To access this, hold down the Apple (Command) key as you launch the game. It will be one of the options in the dialogue box that comes up."

It worked so great on my iMac, annoying blue flashing is all gone.

I owned The Sims 2 with all expansion packs except Happy Holidays and Glamour Stuff.
Click to expand...

Well, I tried it. I found NO "Optimized Rendering" option, I did see a windowed option. AND ZOMFG THANK THANK THANK THANK THANK YOU!!!! I have no problems with the blue flashes and the neighbourhood going crazy now!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:cool:

Albeit not a complete fix, IT WORKS! Hopefully they will actually fix the problem soon, or hopefully I can find the setting, but this is ok for now!

I suggest all of you try it!
 
Hi, i know this is super out of date but, I have got the super collection on my 2019 MB Pro with overkill specs for the game. The Graphical glitch im getting is i see the cars going down the street and they seem to leave behind a trail of something. it looks like they are glitching as they are going down the roads. It is rather annoying, that appears to be the only gltich i have found but its uber annoying when trying to build a neighborhood. Has anyone had this problem, if so, has anyone solved it. Any help would greatly be appreciated


UPDATE: I managed to fix it by using the sims 3 cpu tweaks file that i downloaded in order to make the sims 3 see my new graphics card. You just have to rename the GraphicsCard file to Video Cards(Just Like that) because that is what it is called in the original file. Maybe this helps some people with their weird graphics glitches.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back