Game crashes unexpectedly

The Sims 3 closes unexpectedly and comes up with "The Sims 3 has stopped working", windows cannot find a solution to this problem. It does this at random times, sometimes 1-2 minutes into game play. When I open it again it seems to close at around the same time as before if I continue to do the same actions? It also comes up with messages regarding insufficient memory but the laptop is only 6ish months old and has hardly anything on it? The memory messages usually happen just before it crashes.

Computer info:

Windows 8.1

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2217U CPU @ 1.70 GHz

Installed Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB (3.88 GB usable)

System Type: 64-bit Operating System, x64-based processor

^I have pretty basic computer knowledge, uploading DxDiag wasn't working for me so I hope that this is alright?

I have tried running the program in windowed mode, closing all background programs and deleted 'bad' files as suggested but this does not work for me either?

>I also have Town Life Stuff installed.

technical issues

roberta591
12 years ago
Your laptop uses the video processor that is on the same chip as the Intel I5 cpu. The game minimum requirement for dedicated video memory of 128mb. Your computer only has 32mb. The video system shares 1760mb of physical memory. As you only have 4096mb that leaves 2336 for programs and the operating system and rom images. While increasing the laptop memory may help (video memory and rom images will use high memory), the 32mb of dedicated video memory will continue to be a problem. The dedicated video memory is part of the laptop design and can not be changed. TS3 is a 32 bit application and will not (can not) access more then 4gb of memory even with laa enabled. Actually TS3 will only use about 2.5gb (at most if available) of memory before using virtual memory due to the programs that are used to construct TS3. While that laptop may be a nice student/social media laptop, it lacks the power to play more demanding graphical games

20 Replies

crinrict
Hero+
12 years ago
You have a rather small hard disc and it could be possible that your running out of space.

Check if you have a lot of files in DCBackup and if so, delete everything but the file ccmerged.package. Those files only clutter up your system. Maybe you have some other stuff you can clean out.

Could you also post the entire insufficent memory message ?
Anonymous
12 years ago
The warning says:
"Close programs to prevent information loss. Your computer is low on memory. Save your files and close these programs: Sims 3. Windows will only close enough programs to restore needed memory."
There were no other files in the DCBackup folder...
crinrict
Hero+
12 years ago
OK. Could either be RAM or Virtual Memory I guess.

I'll check with another helper. They can probably give you better instructions.
roberta591
Hero (Retired)
12 years ago
Your laptop uses the video processor that is on the same chip as the Intel I5 cpu. The game minimum requirement for dedicated video memory of 128mb. Your computer only has 32mb. The video system shares 1760mb of physical memory. As you only have 4096mb that leaves 2336 for programs and the operating system and rom images. While increasing the laptop memory may help (video memory and rom images will use high memory), the 32mb of dedicated video memory will continue to be a problem. The dedicated video memory is part of the laptop design and can not be changed. TS3 is a 32 bit application and will not (can not) access more then 4gb of memory even with laa enabled. Actually TS3 will only use about 2.5gb (at most if available) of memory before using virtual memory due to the programs that are used to construct TS3. While that laptop may be a nice student/social media laptop, it lacks the power to play more demanding graphical games
Anonymous
12 years ago
Alrighty then, I have a solution!! Thanks guys for all your help! It's a shame though... ☹️
crinrict
Hero+
12 years ago
You're welcome.
Anonymous
12 years ago
Hi!
I'm having the same problem..
I have uninstalled a number of my expansions in the hope that what you were saying was the same for me -- that I didn't have enough memory to play the game -- to no avail!
I can't uninstall my whole game as I've misplaced a few of my expansions and my original game when I moved.
Is there something else I should be doing? -- You may need to dumb it down, I'm fairly computer illiterate.
Thanks!
Emily
crinrict
Hero+
12 years ago
It's best if you started your own thread since this one is sovled.

Post the following info

What is your operating system

At what point does your game crash ? Any regularities ?

How long can you usually play ?

Which EP/SPs do you have installed ?

Are you using custom content and mods in your game ?

It's also good to include your DxDiag: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/HOW-TO-DxDiag-for-Sims-3-PC-Only/td-p/1049584

You'll find some tips here: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/FAQ-Game-Crashes-CTD/td-p/656/ ?
SgtIntegraJetso
12 years ago
It takes a little while it start up. But any game file i play it lets me start then a minute or two it juts crashes it has done it about 20 times. It does this at random times as well it comes up with The Sims 3 closes unexpectedly and comes up with "The Sims 3 has stopped working"
My Computer has Windows 7 Home Premium
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2310 CUP @ 2.90GHz 2.90GHz
Installed Memory (RAM): 16.0GB
System type: 64-bit Operating System
PLEASE FIX IT
SgtIntegraJetso
12 years ago
It takes a little while it start up. But any game file i play it lets me start then a minute or two it juts crashes it has done it about 20 times. It does this at random times as well it comes up with The Sims 3 closes unexpectedly and comes up with "The Sims 3 has stopped working"
My Computer has Windows 7 Home Premium
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2310 CUP @ 2.90GHz 2.90GHz
Installed Memory (RAM): 16.0GB
System type: 64-bit Operating System
PLEASE FIX IT
I fixed it i had a bad file i deleted and it worked