Re: sims 3 grey map glitch

@rubysunn  It's unusual that the deviceconfig would be blank, but not unheard of.  Please try loading the game a couple more times to see whether the file will generate the proper info—it's written to at the beginning of each play session.  If that doesn't help, you can look for deviceconfig inside your old game folder and copy the info from there, if it exists.

Please also let me know whether your computer runs Windows or macOS.  If Windows, list what kind of install this is (Origin, Steam, disc, some other source), and run a dxdiag and attach it to a post:

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/

If you have a Mac, please post its full specs, as described here:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/READ-FIRST-Sims-3-Mac-Help-Guides-and-Troubleshooting/m-p/4756624#M2878

Here is the dxdiag

@rubysunn  First, try running the Super Patch to fully patch your install.  Even if you have before, it might repair something that's off with the game.

https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/175477/official-ea-download-link-for-the-sims-3-cumulative-manual-update#latest

If that doesn't help, try updating your graphics card driver, which is from 2016.  I don't think HP offers a newer one, but Intel does.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29313/Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-40-?product=84697

Just as a warning:  Some HP laptops have software that blocks install of non-HP-approved drivers.  If you get a message to the effect of you can't install this driver on this laptop, just back out and let me know.

@rubysunn  Please open the launcher and take a screenshot of the whole thing.

@rubysunn  The Sims 3 launcher, the one with the Play button showing.

Here

@rubysunn  I thought this install probably wasn't patched, and it's not.  Did you buy the Sims 3 Complete Collection or something similar via disc?  That would be why the Super Patcher didn't work.

Hi @rubysunn,

The version number from the image is a good couple of years out of date which is odd. 🤔The super patcher should have worked but there's another option we can try here though to get that launcher up to the current patch.

Let's get this registered to your Origin/EA account with the game code that comes with the disc. 🙂 Once you've redeemed the game code on Origin, it should fix the issue with the out of date launcher. To redeem a game code on Origin, please check out this EA Help article for the steps: https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/origin/origin/origin-code-redemption-faq/

Please let us know how you get on with this.

- EA_Lanna

@rubysunn  What happened when you tried to run the Super Patch?  If you got any error, it would be helpful to see a screenshot.

@rubysunn  The Super Patch wouldn't start, or the game?  If it's the Super Patch, please double-check that you downloaded the correct one, and that it's its full size, which should be around 1.8 GB.  The download that you want on this page:

https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/175477/official-ea-download-link-for-the-sims-3-cumulative-manual-update

is immediately under Cumulative Base Game 1.67 Super Patcher.  It might also help to download it with a different browser.

If the game itself won't start after running the Super Patch, please run it again, and let it go to completion, which can take a few minutes depending on the speed of your hard drive.