sims 3 freezing during play

[magnet112592]

Hey everyone, I recently received the Sims3 and I have windows xp on a hp computer. It has been giving me alot of problems. I first downloaded it on my gateway laptop and it completely crashed the system I can't even get it to the log in menu. Then I installed it on my home computer, the hp, it didn't crash it at first it loaded then did what everyone has said turned weird colors like the screen had cracked. Then I cleared some space and installed it again and I finally was able to play for a while. Then I got off and tried to play again the next day, it let me play for a bit then it froze. Just the people froze though. The mouse would still move but I couldn't click on anything and when I went to the windows manager it said the game was running then when I clicked end task the entire computer froze. If I put the game in window mode would that help any?

[Joey]

Can you tell me your computer system specs? I need to know what CPU your computer has, how much system RAM it has and what graphics/video card is in there.

If you do not know that is not a problem. Here is a tutorial that will show you how to do it using a free app named SIW.
http://www.cleartechinfo.com/Learn-How-To-Find-Computer-System-Specs-SIW

Once I get the info I can determine what component on your system is causing the error.

To answer your last question, playing in Window mode might help. The reason for this is that it lowers the resolution and lowering the resolution on any game requires less computer system power.

[Maggie]

ok so i downloaded the siw thing...not good with computers sorry. and it says my cpu is an intel core duo e6300, i have .99 gbs of ram and i have an intel(R) GMA 3000 chip with a 256 MB mem. I tried it in window mode its basically doing the same thing. should i just take it back?

[Joey]

I see the problem now…

The Intel GMA 3000 is an integrated video card. It made it to the compatibility list but barely. When you have an integrated video card it adds to the CPU and RAM load, so it raises your requirements.
With an integrated video card the absolute bare CPU you can have is a Core2Duo e6300 1.8GHz, which you have. The bare minimum RAM is raised to 1.5 GB, you only have 1 GB in your system. So your PC is currently incompatible with the Sims 3 at the moment.

You can try returning the game but if they are like the stores where I live they will only return it on an even exchange for another Sims 3 disc. But then again that is just where I live.

Another option is to upgrade the RAM on your computer. I recommend upgrading to 2 GB of RAM. Then Sims 3 will be able to run after the upgrade. You still would need to set the resolution and graphics settings all the way down to the minimums in order to prevent it from freezing.