The Sims 3 & HD Graphics (Core i3)

[RBedw]

This is my info as far as I know how to get it. I have the Sims 3, and for about a year now I have been dealing with an issue when I want to play it on my laptop. I know the Dedicated memory on the graphics card is supposed to be dynamic, at least that's what I think they told me the last time I asked anyone about it. When I play the game my screen will dim, unless in Windowed Mode, like the options menu is open. Is there any way to fix this?m

[DArce]

Have you tried updating the game to the latest patch available? Have you tried lowering the video settings in the game and tested using a different video resolution?

In addition, have you checked closing any other applications running in the background, specifically the ones that may pop up messages while you are gaming, such as instant messaging applications?

Could you please post the complete dxdiag report? To do this, just click on the button that says Save all this information from the DirectX* Diagnostic Tool, save to a file, open it and copy paste all its contents here.

[RBedw]

I use the default graphics setting in the game, I can show you a screen shot of that if you want. I also have no programs but update ones like Windows Update or Norton which pop up with messages randomly. I have tried making it the same resolution as my home screen resolution and all sorts of things, even the Game Booster didn't help. And I always download patches when I load the game.

DX DIAG

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System Information

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Time of this report: 10/29/2013, 00:08:53

Machine name: RACHELLE

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130828-1532)

Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard

System Model: HP Pavilion g7 Notebook PC

BIOS: Default System BIOS

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 370 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz

Memory: 4096MB RAM

Available OS Memory: 3894MB RAM

Page File: 3064MB used, 4721MB available

Windows Dir: C:\Windows

DirectX Version: DirectX 11

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

User DPI Setting: Using System DPI

System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)

DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled

DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 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: Intel(R) HD Graphics

Manufacturer: Intel Corporation

Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics (Core i3)

DAC type: Internal

Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0046&SUBSYS_166A103C&REV_02

Display Memory: 1696 MB

Dedicated Memory: 64 MB

Shared Memory: 1632 MB

Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor

Monitor Model: unknown

Monitor Id: LGD027A

Native Mode: 1600 x 900(p) (60.080Hz)

Output Type: Internal

Driver Name: igdumd64.dll,igd10umd64.dll,igdumdx32,igd10umd32

Driver File Version: 8.15.0010.2993 (English)

Driver Version: 8.15.10.2993

DDI Version: 10

Driver Model: WDDM 1.1

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Driver Date/Size: 2/19/2013 13:44:12, 8314368 bytes

WHQL Logo'd: Yes

WHQL Date Stamp:

Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-4306-11CF-3D78-6036A2C2C535}

Vendor ID: 0x8086

Device ID: 0x0046

SubSys ID: 0x166A103C

Revision ID: 0x0002

Driver Strong Name: oem22.inf:IntelGfx.NTamd64.6.0:iILKM0:8.15.10.2993:pci\ven_8086&dev_0046

Rank Of Driver: 00E62001

Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_C ModeVC1_B ModeVC1_C

Deinterlace Caps: {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend

{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend

{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend

{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend

{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend

{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: For...

[DArce]

And just to confirm, the screen is dimmed once you start the game or it will start to dim through game play as time passes?

Have you tried updating the BIOS for the system you are using? Updates from Hewlett Packard* are available at http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/ http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/public/

Have you tried setting the power options in the operating system to full power?

[RBedw]

The system is running at full power, plugged in. The screen usually dims overtime if in full screen mode, but not in windowed mode. Sometimes it will go for a while before it does and sometimes as soon as an in-game pop up (options menu or the social connecting box) happens it dims the screen and will not brighten back up.

[DArce]

Thanks, let me investigate on this and I will let you know what I can find.

[DArce]

Verify in the Intel® Graphics Control Panel -> Media -> Color Enhancement and check if "Override Application Settings" checkbox is enabled? Try the setting on and off and see if this makes a difference.

If the issue persists, just for testing, could you please open the task manager in the system and kill the igfxpers.exe process, then play the game and see if the issue continues.

[RBedw]

Ok, I will try that and see.

[RBedw]

Ok I FINALLY got a chance to try it today! The graphics override did not help, however the igfxpers.exe being closed seemed to work. Now I just have to remember that everytime I suppose....

[NICHOLAS_F_Intel]

Hi Ratchell88;

There is a similar issue that was reported on the Sims* forums a while back. It would appear that several people had the same issue and it was resolved by trying the following;

1. Right click the Sims 3 desktop icon

2. Select the Compatibility menu folder

3. There are five "Setings" boxes in this menu, select the one that says "Disable desktop composition".

4. Click 'Apply'.

I am personally not aware of this game launcher, so I cannot verify that these steps will be 100% correct. Let me know if you were able to test this and whether it resolves the issue for you ro not.

SOURCE: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/634214.page http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/634214.page

Thanks,

-Nic