Lagging/freezing up every few seconds «123...Next Go

Seakrits

First off, I recently got a patch notice for Sims 3 and installed it last night. Ever since my game has gone weird. About every 5 seconds it will freeze for about 10 seconds, then work for 5, freeze for 10, etc. When it happens, both my sim and clock freeze, but the environment seems to keep going or at least, I can see leaves or butterflies or something still moving around. My question is, is it the patch, or is it possibly something else. I searched the forum pretty extensively and found many cases of the game freezing but most people crashed or the whole computer froze, etc. I don't crash, just the constant freezing up. If it IS the patch, can anyone tell me how to uninstall it or do I have to reinstall the whole game?

Here is my DxDiag incase it helps any. (I only posted the first part of it since it seems that's the important stuff. If you need the rest, let me know and I'll post it as well).

Thanks for any help!

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System Information

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Time of this report: 2/16/2010, 22:53:49
Machine name: DENISEPC
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.091208-0542)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion
System Model: NY429AA-ABA p6110y
BIOS: BIOS Date: 05/06/09 11:31:10 Ver: 5.39
Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5300 @ 2.60GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.6GHz
Memory: 6142MB RAM
Page File: 1790MB used, 10686MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes

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Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

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DirectX Debug Levels

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Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

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Display Devices

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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7300 GS
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01DF&SUBSYS_1FE219F1&REV_A1
Display Memory: 2280 MB
Dedicated Memory: 248 MB
Shared Memory: 2031 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvd3dum
Driver Version: 8.17.0011.9621 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
BGRA Supported: Yes
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 1/12/2010 12:03:34, 11862120 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-429F-11CF-D45F-E93F1FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x01DF
SubSys ID: 0x1FE219F1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
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DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

Citrusmoon

Right Click desktop -> nVidia Control Panel -> Under "3D Settings", click on "Manage 3D setting" -> Under "Global Setting", scroll down to "Vertical Sync" -> Click on pull down tab , and choose "Force on" -> Click "Apply" on right bottom of the nVidia control Panel to save your setting.

I see nothing wrong with your computer spec. Sims 3 is known to over throttle the video card, which it makes the video card work too hard and it's possible it could be heating your video card. A regular decent FPS rating for games are around 30-60. Sims 3 over throttle up to 100+ and this is not good, hence I recommended you to put the "Force V-Sync on" to reduce the fps down to 60.

Also, as you are using a lower-end video card to run the game, I would suggest you to lower the graphic setting to "Medium" or "Low" so that there's less rendering stress on your video card.

If you have ANY CCs/Mods installed in your system, this is also possible to slow down your game play.

SimGuru_BGY_11

Let's try this, then:

1. Click Start or press the Windows key and R, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.

2. Click on Startup.

3. Select disable All.

4. Click on Services.

5. Check the box that says Hide All Microsoft Services, then Disable All.

6. Apply, then restart your system.

Attempt to start the game. This will eliminate most of what might be interfering with TS3 running properly on a software level. Once you're done, repeat the above procedure, using the Enable All buttons to turn services and startup items back on.

-Big Guy-

Seakrits

Ok. Going to try Citrus' suggestions first and see what happens, and if it's still freezing, I'll try BG's as well. Thanks both! Here's hoping one or both of these works. *crosses fingers*

JVENN

I don't know enough about Graphics Cards etc to know if the above works but I had this issue and did some searching on forums etc. One thing I noticed was that when I went to Egypt it didn't happen and I found a post on MTS about someone finding a 'stuck' Sim (not her active Sim) in the town and once she'd reset the Stuck Sim the freezing issue stopped.

Not sure how you can do this without a Mod (I have the Super Computer thingy) but I went in and reset 'Everything' - issue has now stopped. So I suspect this issue has nothing to do with Graphics Cards etc and is just one of those anomolies that happens when Sims get stuck in mid flow...

Hope this helps someone.

J x

Nichaedemus

Hi,

For those experiencing game lag, the following thread may be of interest:

http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/178853.page

MewStrawberry

JVENN wrote:

I don't know enough about Graphics Cards etc to know if the above works but I had this issue and did some searching on forums etc. One thing I noticed was that when I went to Egypt it didn't happen and I found a post on MTS about someone finding a 'stuck' Sim (not her active Sim) in the town and once she'd reset the Stuck Sim the freezing issue stopped.

Not sure how you can do this without a Mod (I have the Super Computer thingy) but I went in and reset 'Everything' - issue has now stopped. So I suspect this issue has nothing to do with Graphics Cards etc and is just one of those anomolies that happens when Sims get stuck in mid flow...

Hope this helps someone.

J x

I've noticed the exact same things as you have. I go on vacation just to avoid the lag for a while and use the "reset everything" as well. Unfortunately the lag comes back a Sim day or two later for me I know it has nothing to do with my computer because other neighborhoods work fine.

Soran

I'm having the same problem. I just started using resetsim *
I think it resets everyone in town, so don't use it if your in the middle of something important (wait until you're done). But it seems to work for me. Whenever the freezes start again that's what I do. I hope this will help as a temporary fix.

funguy4

Citrusmoon wrote:

Right Click desktop -> nVidia Control Panel -> Under "3D Settings", click on "Manage 3D setting" -> Under "Global Setting", scroll down to "Vertical Sync" -> Click on pull down tab , and choose "Force on" -> Click "Apply" on right bottom of the nVidia control Panel to save your setting.

I see nothing wrong with your computer spec. Sims 3 is known to over throttle the video card, which it makes the video card work too hard and it's possible it could be heating your video card. A regular decent FPS rating for games are around 30-60. Sims 3 over throttle up to 100+ and this is not good, hence I recommended you to put the "Force V-Sync on" to reduce the fps down to 60.

Also, as you are using a lower-end video card to run the game, I would suggest you to lower the graphic setting to "Medium" or "Low" so that there's less rendering stress on your video card.

If you have ANY CCs/Mods installed in your system, this is also possible to slow down your game play.

What is the nVidia Control Panel? Where do I find it on my computer?

Please help. Thanks

BerBearC

Ever since the last patch this has been happening at least in China. It temporarily fixes the problem when I use "resetsim *", but then NPC sims all over China quickly become stuck again. I see them just standing around complaining with the hunger or sleepy icons over their heads. Also my if I try to use a camera to take a picture, the sim trying to take a picture becomes stuck.

This clearly is a game problem and not a PC performance problem. I'd love to know when this will be fixed or if I should just re-install my game without the latest patch.

joe_bnd

I just want to add that I've been having this issue as well. The game will freeze, but animations will continue. The clock will stop, and I'll be unable to interact with the game, but animations like water moving will continue. I've noticed that the game will pause almost exactly at 30 minute intervals of game time, regardless of the game speed. I clock one pause at 18 seconds which, when happening every 30 minutes of "sim time", renders the game practically unplayable.

joe_bnd

I forgot to mention; I'm having this problem on both my laptop and my desktop. EA, you need to fix this.

crystalbriggs

My sims game just started freezing really bad 2 days ago it started with my toddler disappearing from his crib, but still there, his sims icon was green had no pic I couldn't click on him just watch him cry in his crib, of course CPS took him away because I didn't feed him , I want him back, But after they took him he was still there, I had to move then delete his crib to get him to disappear all the way. But now my game is freezing every 5 to 10 seconds, it does the same thing when I go to china, I don't get my nectar things that I purchase when in france. Is it the new generations pack that could be doing it...Please help me

loveglee

i also have this issue, i installed a longer pregnancy mod, and it worked fine, but after i was messing with the options it started freezing every 2 seconds,and when i put everything back as normal it didn'nt stop...

Dawnoftheday101

I know this is an older thread but I am also having the issue. The games seems to be freezing every two sim hours while on full speed and sooner on normal speed. I have tried deleting the save game from the file and renaming the backup to be used, but it still didn't do anything. If anyone has tried something that works please let me know.

Thanks

Katlinemas

So am I, I just posted about it. I'm going to try some ResetSim and see what happens. It's really annoying though, and I don't think its my video card. It's something else.

Katlinemas

ResetSim *

Works! My game seems to be running fine for the moment, but I'll report in if it starts happening again.

Dawnoftheday101

I also was able to fix my game. I didn't reset any sims but went to each community lot looking for the perpetrator. I didn't find the sim but the game stopped freezing anyway. I guess by going to each lot, I was able to free them or something. Now I can sim happily!

Shay319

Hi everyone, I'm happy to know that others are having this problem (not particularly glad, just happy that I don't have to throw my laptop to the dogs because its malfunctioning). I have noticed something though (at least with myself), I never had any of these problems (sim freezes but scenery still moving and making noise, toddlers getting stuck at the top of the stairs, etc.) until I installed "Generations". Are there people out there having the same problems with the base game, or without this expansion? Then I know to uninstall it. Thank you.

bookwurmsie

It's not Generations that is doing that, at least for me. The problem started seemingly randomly one day (I only had World Adventures installed) and then seemed to go away on it's own. However, it started up again about 2 days ago of it's own accord (as far as I can figure out). At this point I have Generations installed as well. I can't find any rhyme or reason to why it is doing this, as in both cases I had had the expansions installed for quite a while before this issue started happening.

Dawnoftheday101

Mine did start AFTER I installed Generations. But I am glad I was able to fix it just by viewing each community lot. You guys should try that, it doesn't involve any codes or mods. :-)

Zorga

Soran wrote:

I'm having the same problem. I just started using resetsim *
I think it resets everyone in town, so don't use it if your in the middle of something important (wait until you're done). But it seems to work for me. Whenever the freezes start again that's what I do. I hope this will help as a temporary fix.

Genius!
I tried lowering all my graphics thinking this was the issue, to no avail (I was surprised when it lagged, I have what I consider to be a very good computer and no lag in any other game)
used 'resetsim *' to great success!

THANK YOU!

KalieSmith

How do i use resetsim ? Mines freezing too and ive tried everythinggg. it's annoying

Zorga

Ctrl alt shift c (cheat window)
Type in "resetsim *" (no " obviously)

Lenaeliza2490

I have a success story of sorts to share. Like BerBearC, and I'm sure many others, my game, which had been working fine until last Thursday, started acting up after I downloaded the latest patch. Since then, my game has been freezing, lagging horribly and just overall not working like it had before. I uninstalled my game (losing all my data) and it still froze on me.

Anyway, I found this forum and tried Citrusmoon's suggestion; it succeeded in preventing my laptop from overheating so quickly like it normally does when I play. I have and Intel HD Graphics card, so some of the instructions didn't apply to me, but I was still able to turn the vertical sync on and apply the setting. My game was still freezing though.

Then I tried SimGuru_BYI_11's suggestion and succeeded in speeding up the download time for my Riverview save. I left everything disabled and started my game, but it still froze. Then I removed the cache files from my EA folder, which can be found in the documents area of your computer (they regenerated themselves in the folder again after a while). The game still froze on me, but it sped my game loading time up even more.

The last thing I did, which has proven to be the most successful of all is to simply reset every sim in town. Using Ctrl+Shift+C to open the cheat box, I typed in: resetsim * and that reset everything. After that the game seemed to work fine. I went almost an entire sim day without any major lagging or freezing. Then it started up again. But I reset everything and things went back to normal. It's a temporary fix to disconcerting problem, but it's helped a lot. I would suggest when you reset everything, to be certain that your sims are not in the middle of a major action like school or work.

I hope this help others!

Lena

Lenaeliza2490

I found another thing that might help. Try saving your household with house in Edit Town and start a new game. Place your household in the new town and get to playing!

Here's a guide on how to do it:

http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/info/moving-to-another-neighborhood.php

I changed from Riverview to Twinbrook and so far it works great! But if you don't want to start a new game and want to move your household into a saved game you have already, there's an option to do that too.

I found this quite helpful because I noticed when I played another one of my saves games (based in Sunset Valley) that it worked just fine; No freezing. And when I tested Twinbrook and Bridgeport, they worked just fine as well. It must have something to do with Bridgeport.

Anyway, I hope this helps someone still having issues with freezing.

Lena