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Bluebellflora's avatar
Bluebellflora
Hero+
14 years ago

OSX Lion and TS3 - Patch released, fixes graphics issue, causes problems with Town Life, GURUS?

Update 04.10.11 - Please see my recent comment about compatibility:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/930/413974.page#6535798

VERY IMPORTANT - Please DO NOT follow any instructions given by EA support if they advise you to do the following:

- reset the SMC
- reformat your hard drive
- take out your graphics card
- quit processes in Activity Monitor

These instructions are extremely ill advised by EA. Not only will they not solve the problem, they could result in permanent damage to your Mac.



UPDATE - 02.09.11:

The latest patch for the Base Game, 1.25, appears to have fixed the freezing problem for users with the 9400M and 320M graphics cards. Can someone please update me with regards to the Intel 3000 card?

It also appears that the patch is borked and forces users to uninstall and reinstall the base game and all EPs/SPs.


Possible workarounds:
- Install Snow Leopard on an external hard drive:
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/435/413974.page#5962866
http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/585/413974.page#6005687
- Install Windows in Boot Camp and play in Windows


Graphics Card Problem - NVIDIA GeForce 9400, NVIDIA GeForce 320M & Intel HD Graphics 3000
These three integrated cards seem to be the main problem.

It appears that if you install the base game but DO NOT UPDATE, it will work on machines running Lion with the 9400 and 320m graphics cards. For a more detailed explanation please look at Snapdragon's excellent response here:
RafaGzmn - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 (working because he has not updated the base game with any patches)



WORKING
BluebellFlora - NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT 256
rad1 - ATI Radeon HD 5670
keyx9y - Intel GMA X3100 144
ExclamationKate - NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 256
tomkemp4 - ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256MB
Boogieoggie12 - NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT 512
nghtstr - ATI radeon HD 2600 Pro 256
nickali - NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 512
Figwit - ATI Radeon HD 4850 512


NOT WORKING
BluebellFlora - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
christeljayne - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
Pcd1love2u - NVIDIA Geforce 9400M 256
karlo_29 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
SoPrettyAshley - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
Guyepst - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
rad1 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
sarahh729 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Tailfinz - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Krivo66 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
simssims2sims3 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
DavidJBeck - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
e01000101 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
rulerofmyheart - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
oiNiallo - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
classicylady87 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
mzriskalot - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
Rockernat - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
Srgrdst77 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
schencker - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
cathycake - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
Gwfct - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
GuitarManiac15 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
Smurfy96 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
sarahh729 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256
CJSmith241 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Viktoreah - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
BillieChiasson - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
lafille19 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
musicnut07 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
crazy4music2006 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Windrifter - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
lknic1 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
QueenDivetta - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Icesplash - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
xtianne05 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Flyinggfish - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
ivanv15 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
kquinn1990 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
kimbalena - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
okapi9 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
themostserene - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
christeljayne - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Flattermann - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Geoffafa - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
mmcginnis1980 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Jarrrrod - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
MoyWilliams - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
chelinka - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
lisavk - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
chloewatson - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
dtiovene - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
girlabouttown123 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
CassadyM - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
lafille19 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Znijnz - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
dani_8778 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
stbnchristine - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Selene047 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
kiwicalabaza - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
5simoleans5 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
scgoan - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
objectionform - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
bijousox - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Sashanbey - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Amagon - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
connex22601 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
WRFTSG - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
LadyMelda - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
susabellia - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
palmtreecod - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
fencenator - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
ArchonX77 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
khimo - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
ageofquarrel - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Derfel - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
zray1130 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Myrsinie - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
max211 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Bearpawd - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
cmc42 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
FROZYO - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Sawild - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
Crazykate515 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
101HAMSTERLOVER101 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
onioni - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
amitkhanna22 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
eluve59 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256
beelikethat33 - NVIDIA GeForce 9400 256

jsfst2727 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
EryennDrakkar - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
SNCAm - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
COCOABRAVO - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
xamago - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
danieljorgensen - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
NickyDuvyrda - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Yingerpoof - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
MunchinKayT123 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Zarah888 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
ladydarby - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Britterbean3322 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
eclipsetrixxz - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
urbanel0quence - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
chry3 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
chazzymc - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
918273645ams - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Zachary3502 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
DrCarmody - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
isk8ny - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Loulouise955 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
sagehayley - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
GuiSpiller - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
kinleighsage - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
LUCASLITTLEWOOD - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Tectonical - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
tipsy318 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
danicajane - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
kds786 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
dotflo - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Mari - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
lorelle - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
lbarraclough - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
k12kwd - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
waychu987 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Raquel2224 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Lexliex - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
CPTDSHACK - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
missolli3 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Kelad0700 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
SoundtheDudelsack - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
khimo - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
quadACEdeux - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
scamandered - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
willynee1995 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
DreamJob49 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
caleb1993 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
breezy492 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
Tim4ever02 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
as.hads - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
matteochirco - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
mikey85875 - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
CamMark - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256
xkylaxxreneex - NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256

theanaa - Intel HD Graphics 3000 384
matheusmafra - Intel HD Graphics 3000 384
silenttoast - Intel HD Graphics 3000 384
Mythago68 - Intel HD Graphics 3000 384
KierahCampbell11 - Intel HD Graphics 3000 384

beelikethat33 - ATI Radeon H 5750

The Patch which brings the base game up to 1.24 DOES NOT fix this graphics card problem.


15" & 17" MacBook Pro users
If you have one of the following MacBook Pros go to System Preferences > Energy Saver and switch to the higher performance card:

15" Late 2008, Model Identifier 5,1
17" Early & mid 2009, Model Identifier 5,2
15" Mid 2009, Model Identifier 5,3

The 2010 & 2011 models should be fine working on the integrated (better battery life) cards. If not, follow the steps above to switch cards.


If you would like to post your specs here I'll happily add them to the above list.
mac
technical issues
  • rafagzmn's avatar
    rafagzmn
    14 years ago
    hi, i have the same problem, but, i tried to uninstall and install again the sims 3, but, i dont update it, so the game work great, i also have Lion.
    the specs
    MacBook Pro
    13-inch, Mid 2009
    Procesador 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
    Memoria 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
    Gráficos NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB
  • MunchkinKaty123's avatar
    MunchkinKaty123
    14 years ago
    lovethecurry wrote:
    I agree with Queen Divetta, at least they're working towards a fix. I can't wait for it though. Going back to Snow Leopard apparently isn't recommended, nor very simple to do. So I'm seriously considering the bootcamp option. It seems really unfair though, that for people who have spent a serious amount of money in purchasing the games, that they're taking so long to fix it!.


    I have posted previously a method that is a step by step guide given to me by a friend of mine who used to work for Apple. It only takes an hour ish to do a clean install. I am currently playing Sims and it has run smoothly.
  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    14 years ago
    Hey Mythago, how are ya? :D

    Did it work fine under Lion before you installed Town Life? And what screen size is you MacBook Pro?

  • nghtstr77's avatar
    nghtstr77
    14 years ago
    Yingerpoof wrote:
    Haha, after yelling at them for giving me bad advice that led to my saves being deleted this is what the response was:

    http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/8858/screenshot20110821at105.png


    :lol:


    Holy crap!! That is the most heart-felt reply from EA that I have ever seen!!
  • whtrbt's avatar
    whtrbt
    14 years ago
    I wonder why the update works for some but not for others.

    I have Snow Leopard, BTW, not Lion, so I am going to ignore the patch for now.

    I am nervous about the next patch when Pets is released.
  • 24_abc_824559's avatar
    24_abc_824559
    14 years ago
    Dropped in to say that after the update my Sims works fine, but much slower than before.
    I have the 320M card.
  • sugardust91's avatar
    sugardust91
    14 years ago
    mzriskalot wrote:
    Full Stats

    Macbook 13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008
    Processor 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
    2 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
    NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 256 MB
    Software Mac OS X Lion 10.7 (11A511)


    They need to sort this. I have spent alot of money on my Sims and really aint happy.


    I have the exact same computer. I really hope they solve this problem soon
  • Bluebellflora's avatar
    Bluebellflora
    Hero+
    14 years ago
    Got you all updated.

    @schencker - as stated in my opening post, this patch DOES NOT fix the graphics problem, hence my reason for a new thread :)
  • Gefjon4's avatar
    Gefjon4
    14 years ago
    iMac 20" Early 2008

    Processor 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

    Memory 4 GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

    ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256MB

    Mac OS X Lion 10.7 (11A511)


    Had a lot of trouble with patching, which I solved eventually by temporarily removing the Mods folder and then putting it back after running the game without it.

    Now running fine so far. Has been running successfully for over 3 hours today, although this is with an existing saved game. I have bought some of the new items there though and still OK.

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