The sims2 and directx 10

[RlynnS]

Recently I had to replace my motherboard AND hard drive, so my computer
was basically wiped of everything. I saved the files that I could, and
moved them, and they work fine.

Before this, the sims 2 (and the EP's that I had for it) all worked
perfectly.
The problem now is that I do not think DX10 is compatible with TS2,
despite the fact that "directx 10 is backwards compatible" (which it
does not appear to be.)

From what I understand, I cannot uninstall DX10. THis is a little
ridiculous; no directx software came with my computer, and I had to
install it.
DX10 is supposed to have all of the DX 9.0c updates, but what if it
doesn't? Is there a way or a place that I can put DX 9.0c files into
DX10?
Is there some way that I can check the DX10 files to make sure what I
need is there?

IF those are failed options, is there a program that I can install
which will uninstall DX10 so that I can install DX 9.0c?

 

[Andrew]

If I am remembering what I have read throughout these news groups (and I am
nowhere near even being able to say that I know such stuff for a fact), but
I remember seeing in responses to other questions that directx10 is not all
inclusive and entirely better than directx 9.0c. If I have read things
correctly, they are different libraries that one program may need one while
another program may need another.

Simply having directx 10 does not mean that you also have direct 9.0c as
they are separate libraries. directx 10 is not instantly better than
directx 9.0c (unlike software, where program 2.1.0 is better than 1.9.0 or
something). Basically, you can have both directx 9.0c and directx 10
libraries on your computer at the same time, and shouldn't have an issue.

Now someone with more knowledge on this subject and who is smarter in
regards to this subject can correct me if what I have said is wrong (I'm not
even going to pretend that I am an expert on this, as I am nowhere near as
such), but from the hundreds (and probably even thousand plus) discussions
that I have read in around 30 different newsgroups in the past week or so,
if my memory serves me correctly, that is what I remember reading and
seeing.

As to whether I am correct in my memory, or wrong, hopefully someone with
the full and correct knowledge will be able to help you out as to your
problem better than I.

Andrew

 

[RlynnS]

After downloading directx 9.0c, I try to install it. It tells me that
the newest version is already installed. (And, DX10 didn't just come
with vista because, like I said before, it wasn't on my computer until
I specifically installed it from the website.)
Do you, by any chance, know the files that I would be missing and where
I need to put them.

UPDATE: Ran into a different problem in TS2 (having to do with the
pregnant sim birth scene.) Someone on the sims forum mentioned checking
logs of errors. While searching around for the sims error log, I found
the directx log. Do you think there may be a clue as to what is wrong
in there? I could post it if it would help, but I don't want to post a
wall of text if it will not be helpful.

;833043']DX10 is built directly into Vista - so no it can't be
uninstalled.

Although it is mostly backwards compatible with DX9, it's not 100% so
as
some pre-vista games rely on specific files which for whatever reason
aren't found in DX10.

The solution is to install the DX 9.0c package as normal. Any files
where a newer DX10 version already exists will be ignored and it will
therefore only add these 'missing' files.

Your system will still report as being DX10 but because you've now got

the missing files, games such as The Sims2 will now behave themselves.



RlynnS wrote:-
Recently I had to replace my motherboard AND hard drive, so my
computer
was basically wiped of everything. I saved the files that I could,
and
moved them, and they work fine.

Before this, the sims 2 (and the EP's that I had for it) all worked
perfectly.
The problem now is that I do not think DX10 is compatible with TS2,
despite the fact that "directx 10 is backwards compatible" (which it
does not appear to be.)

From what I understand, I cannot uninstall DX10. THis is a little
ridiculous; no directx software came with my computer, and I had to
install it.
DX10 is supposed to have all of the DX 9.0c updates, but what if it
doesn't? Is there a way or a place that I can put DX 9.0c files into
DX10?
Is there some way that I can check the DX10 files to make sure what I
need is there?

IF those are failed options, is there a program that I can install
which will uninstall DX10 so that I can install DX 9.0c?



-

 

[Chuck Walbourn [MSFT]]

"DirectX 9.0c" and "DirectX 10" are not installable or uninstallable. They
are included in your OS. Starting with Windows XP Service Pack 2, all
versions of Windows include the supported DirectX components for that OS.
For example, "DirectX 9.0c" is in Windows XP Service Pack 2+, Windows Server
2003 SP1+, and Windows XP x64 Edition. "DirectX 10" is included in Windows
Vista. "DirectX 10.1" was added in Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and to
Windows Server 2008. Any system with "DirectX 10" installed ALSO has the
supported components in "DirectX 9.0c", which for most games would be
"Direct3D 9, DirectSound, DirectInput, etc." There are a few parts of
"DirectX 9.0c" that have been removed as of Windows Vista, but they should
not used by modern titles (DirectPlay Voice, Direct3D Retained Mode).
Otherwise, pretty much everything else in "DirectX 9.0c" is there with the
latest versions of DirectX.

The problems with game installation is almost always the need for DirectX
SDK optional components which are not part of the OS: D3DX9, D3DX10, XACT,
XINPUT, XAUDIO2, etc. Each of these is versioned by a specific month, so if
you are missing the specific version used by the game then it won't work. If
you run the "latest DirectX" runtime installer, what you are actually doing
is installing all versions of these optional bits onto your system.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en

This is of course complicated by the fact that many game installers are
written by people who are not always up to speed on all this, and make poor
choices in their installation logic. Not enough of them read:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb219742.aspx

Typically if you run the latest DirectX Runtime installer no matter your
operating system, it will add anything you are missing. The problem sounds
like your system itself may be corrupt, which makes restoring to a valid
state tricky. Be sure to run all the various system disk check tools to make
sure your system is actually stable in the first place.

One other issue may simply be that your video driver is having problems.

 

[RlynnS]

Typically if you run the latest DirectX Runtime installer no matter
your
operating system, it will add anything you are missing. The problem
sounds
like your system itself may be corrupt, which makes restoring to a
valid
state tricky. Be sure to run all the various system disk check tools to
make
sure your system is actually stable in the first place.

One other issue may simply be that your video driver is having
problems.

--
-Chuck Walbourn
SDE, XNA Developer Connection

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warrenties, and confers no
rights.

Thanks for the explanation.
It cannot be that the system is corrupt; as I said, my motherboard and
harddrive were BOTH replaced very recently. I have very few things
reinstalled.

Where can I find the latest DirectX Runtime installer?
When I went to the microsoft/directx website (forget which one it was
now) I downloaded the files and it walked me through an install. I
assumed it had all of the files.

I also vaguely remember something to do with rolling back my graphics
driver and using the older version to get a game to work. I am not sure
which game or which version I did this with, but I do know that it was
for an intel 965 express chipset family. (I know, chipsets aren't
powerful enough to run 3d games, blah blah. Heard it before. It worked
beautifully before my harddrive and motherboard were replaced, so this
argument is invalid.) I cannot seem to find any information linking the
graphics driver versions to problems with the sims 2, or even a list of
the different versions of the graphics driver so that I can at least
try that.
Could anyone be of assistance with that?

 

[Jasper]

Thanks for the explanation.
It cannot be that the system is corrupt; as I said, my motherboard and
harddrive were BOTH replaced very recently. I have very few things
reinstalled.

Where can I find the latest DirectX Runtime installer?
When I went to the microsoft/directx website (forget which one it was
now) I downloaded the files and it walked me through an install. I
assumed it had all of the files.

I also vaguely remember something to do with rolling back my graphics
driver and using the older version to get a game to work. I am not sure
which game or which version I did this with, but I do know that it was
for an intel 965 express chipset family. (I know, chipsets aren't
powerful enough to run 3d games, blah blah. Heard it before. It worked
beautifully before my harddrive and motherboard were replaced, so this
argument is invalid.) I cannot seem to find any information linking the
graphics driver versions to problems with the sims 2, or even a list of
the different versions of the graphics driver so that I can at least
try that.
Could anyone be of assistance with that?

The DirectX runtime
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3&DisplayLang=en

Also Vista uses both DX9.0c and DX10. It uses DX9.0c for the 3D desktop
functions such as Aero. DX10 is only used for games that support it. Games
that are DX9 will use DX9

 

[Tae Song]

Recently I had to replace my motherboard AND hard drive, so my computer
was basically wiped of everything. I saved the files that I could, and
moved them, and they work fine.

Before this, the sims 2 (and the EP's that I had for it) all worked
perfectly.
The problem now is that I do not think DX10 is compatible with TS2,
despite the fact that "directx 10 is backwards compatible" (which it
does not appear to be.)

From what I understand, I cannot uninstall DX10. THis is a little
ridiculous; no directx software came with my computer, and I had to
install it.
DX10 is supposed to have all of the DX 9.0c updates, but what if it
doesn't? Is there a way or a place that I can put DX 9.0c files into
DX10?
Is there some way that I can check the DX10 files to make sure what I
need is there?

IF those are failed options, is there a program that I can install
which will uninstall DX10 so that I can install DX 9.0c?

You never mention what the problem is specifically, only what you think the
problem is.

What happens when to you try to start up Sims 2? Have you tried
reinstalling it? Have you tried uninstalling, rebooting and reinstalling
it?

 

[Tae Song]

Oops. Sorry.
I can start the game just fine. I can play it mostly fine.
Here is where the problem occurs:
When I go in to create a family, sometimes after I click one of the
options in "change head" it freezes up, but that hasn't been happening
recently. Most of the time I can make a few sims fine, but then when I
click the checkmark to save it and be done, it goes to the "creating
family screen" and freezes up. The music still plays, but it sits there
for hours, not loading. In the task manager, it says that the game is
not responding.
I can play in the houses just fine, and the sims can get pregnant and
even have babies just fine. Another problem that occurs is when I have
a sim go to a lot outside of their house by using the Taxi. It gets to
the loading screen, it will begin to load, but then freeze. Once again,
the music continues playing, but when left for long periods of time, it
hasn't loaded. Once again, in the task manager it says the game is not
responding.

The expansion packs that I have installed are:
University
Nightlife
Open for Business
Pets

I also have two parts packs:
H&M Fashion Stuff
Teen Style Stuff

I have downloaded and installed all of the patches from the EA sims
website.
I have tried keeping my computer propped up in such a way that it
doesn't even get warm.
I have not yet tried uninstalling and reinstalling.
I will try this within the next day or two.

Looking around, I saw it was a very common problem and I also saw such
a wide range of fixes and explanations that I knew I needed much more
specific help.
I also bought the games used off Amazon, so I don't know how much good
calling the EA tech support would do for me either.

Is Sims is a subscription based multiplayer game?

I don't think reinstalling the game will fix your problem, it might but I
don't know for sure.

Tech support will probably recommend updating you video graphics drivers.

Have you tried this... I found this on a website...

Open My Documents/EA Games/The Sims 2/ folder. Locate the two .cache files
and delete them.

 

[RlynnS]

QUOTE=Tae Song;835910]
Is Sims is a subscription based multiplayer game?

I don't think reinstalling the game will fix your problem, it might but
I
don't know for sure.

Tech support will probably recommend updating you video graphics
drivers.

Have you tried this... I found this on a website...

Open My Documents/EA Games/The Sims 2/ folder. Locate the two .cache
files
and delete them.

The Sims is not a multiplayer game at all. The closest it gets is that
users can make content and other users can download that content. I have
never downloaded another user's content, though, so that cannot be the
issue
I am pretty sure it needs the .cache files.

AN UPDATE TO THE SITUATION:
My hard drive died again. I hadn't played The Sims 2 in at least two
weeks, so that is not the problem. (Besides, software can't /really/
cause a hardware failure like that). Dell sent me a new one. I am
reinstalling and moving everything back AGAIN. So, I get to start
entirely over.
Will update when I get the chance to reinstall/try the game/etc.