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Re: Sims 4 stopped starting, "Windows cannot access the specified device... "

@FAMU97  What antivirus program do you use?  It's possible that it's blocking TS4_x64.exe from running.  The easiest test is to disable the antivirus entirely, or, if you have one of the programs mentioned at the end of the first post of this thread, follow the link(s) to see which settings you'd need to change:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-PC/CURRENT-ISSUE-Sims-4-doesn-t-start-No-Error-Message-Patch-1-68/td-p/9734045

By the way, do you really not have a dedicated graphics card to go with that high-powered processor?  I ask in part because a couple of the Sims 4 errors could be related to the driver for your graphics chip, but if you're planning on installing or reinstalling a dedicated card, that would make the issue moot.

6 Replies

  • FAMU97's avatar
    FAMU97
    5 years ago

    I'm running Microsoft built-in defender anti-virus and  I did already try to disable it and that didn't work. I still couldn't start Sims. Do you have any other troubleshooting suggestions that I could try? 

    Correct I do not have a graphics card installed with my highend cpu because this is my htpc and it has a dedicated purpose for 4K media playback & Plex svr. As your probably aware, because of Intel requirements, the only way to Playback 4K blu-ray disks requires the use of Intel's on board HD 6XX series graphics. If I installed a graphics card, I would not be able to playback physical 4K blu-ray disks.

  • FAMU97's avatar
    FAMU97
    5 years ago
    I fixed this. It turned out it was a different Anti-Malware program causing the problem. It was also running Acronis True Image software. It has an anti-ransomeware/Anti-Malware component built-in and it was blocking Sims 4 from starting. Once I disabled it, I was as able to start up Sims 4.ive now added it to the allowed exception list for startup. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. 
  • @FAMU97  Thanks for the info.  And in case you aren't aware, if you did want a dedicated card in this computer, you could selectively disable it in BIOS when you wanted to use the Intel chip.  The exact settings available will depend on your motherboard, but it's simple enough to change the setting and then plug the monitor into the motherboard, then do the reverse when you want to use the dedicated card again.  It only takes a couple minutes, that is if it's worth the trouble.

  • FAMU97's avatar
    FAMU97
    5 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict actually that is worth the trouble. I actually thought about whether that's possible. Any recommendations on graphic card for under $600?
  • @FAMU97  Are you shopping now, or sort of soon?  The 3060 ti is an excellent card and is supposed to start at $400.  It's way more than you'd ever need for Sims 4, but if you had other games in mind, it should run anything out there at 60 fps or higher on 1440p, and a lot of games in 4k.  If it's just for Sims 4 and other less demanding games, an Nvidia 1650 or 1660 ti, or an AMD 5500XT would be fine for playing in 1080p, and a 2060 Super for 4k, both at 60 fps and up and on ultra graphics settings.  I'm not saying that framerates would never drop, just that it would be the game's fault, not the card's.

    The issue is that right now, there aren't many cards even available.  Normally, a 1650 would cost about $160, but I'm only seeing one single option for under $300, and it's a "sold out, more coming soon" situation:

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1605378-REG/msi_g165d6gx_geforce_gtx_1650_d6.html

    The situation is similar for the 1660 variants, the 5500 XTs, and the 2060s.  The problem is that the newest-generation cards from both Nvidia and AMD are consistently sold out, and I think production of the older cards is winding down, so the entire market is just impossible.

    If you want my opinion, I would not spend more than about $180 on a 1650 or $220 for a 1660 Super or ti, and otherwise, I'd wait for the 3060 or 3060 ti to be available at something within $100 of the $330 or $400 base prices.  If you're willing to set price alerts and don't have a preference for manufacturers, you may be able to get something in the next couple months.  And really, unless you're planning on playing new extremely demanding games in 4k, you don't need more than a 3060 ti.

    An interim solution would be to spend less, say $60-80, on a used 1650 and get the card you really want when the market is less crazy.  Ebay always has options, and a 1650 isn't going to be more than two years old.

  • FAMU97's avatar
    FAMU97
    5 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict I like that idea of buying that 1650 now to hold me over until those better cards are back in stock. I'll definitely get that 3060 ti whenever it becomes available at MSRP. I do plan on playing more demanding pc games down the line. I actually got a PS5 for Christmas (lucky) that's still in the box but I don't need it or play console games like I did back in college yrs ago. I'd rather invest in pc games & hardware. Thanks again for the help & recommendations.

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