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Hero (Retired)

Re: Sims 3 - Missing Sim Panel Error

@Nafretili First main support for Windows 7 is over and now on extended support. Upgrading to Windows 10 will allow you to have DX12 if supported by the video system. Your present video driver is not WHQL and this could be an issues. Did you try running the game in the windows mode and see if you have the same issue? What resolution are you using in the game options? Do you have dual 🏈 monitors attached? It looks like you are using different technologies to connect the monitors (HDMI and HD15). Did you try using only one monitor to play the game?

2 Replies

Nafretili
7 years ago
Thanks for replying Roberta!
The game said compatible with Windows 7 when I bought it, so it should work, I shouldn't have to change my OS.
Yes, I'm using 2 monitors, one on HDMI and one on VGA. I only ever run the Sims 3 on the HDMI monitor as it looks ridiculous stretched over two.
I don't know what's causing it, but the game will run like a dream for 6-7 sessions then all of a sudden the error happens. If it was a hardware or compatibility issue surely it would be there the entire time.
I've noticed it's often when the family has been to University or to Egypt/China/France. I honestly think it's something to do with the save file over time but I have no idea what. I have a laptop I run the Sims 3 on with half of the specs and it never does this; exact same OS too.
It has me stumped, and playing The Sims 3 is like a time bomb, I can't really enjoy the game fully anymore because it could mess up at any moment!
- Naf 🙂
roberta591
Hero (Retired)
7 years ago
@Nafretili Yes the game is compatible with Win 7 SP1 but support for Win 7 is really down. Device driver updates will continue to fade as well as device drivers for new hardware. Windows Vista and Windows 8.1 were failures because both didn't become better until Service Pack 1 and by then the damage was done. Also Windows 10 has DX 12. Microsoft needs Windows 10 to succeed to so much as they were virtually giving it away. I believe 2 monitors may cause issues with this game. It may be a device driver issue. Using dual monitors with two different technologies is very demanding and you doing this with a game that is very demanding on both the cpu and video systems. I recommend trying the game with only one monitor connected.