OK, so I had difficulty installing Sims 4, and one of the EA techs had me use a program called CCleaner. While it worked, and I was able to install Sims 4 with no problems, it seems to have messed up the brightness on Sims 3 - the typical dim screen issue. This has never been a problem until I installed Sims 4, and I'm wondering if the use of CCleaner may have had something to do with it... Someone please help!
@FirePrincess917 After the reset did the game start like the first time you played?
@FirePrincess917 I just spent about half an hour reading posts about Sims 3 dim with Windows 8.1. I could not find any posts with Intel HD Graphics 3000 only. I did find many posts about this issue but no posts with any solutions that will positively work. Many posts about this issue was this worked for me. The only thing that comes to mind now is to restore the game to the problem state. Then Google Intel HD Graphics 3000 and download an older video driver and install and test. At this point game user data is not causing the issue so that leaves the core game and the video device driver. As this only seems to affect Windows 8.1. One poster suggested down grading to Windows 7. This points to a video driver issue. IMO knowing that it's more then likely an operating system issue and knowing there probably won't be an updated video driver in the near future it may be time for an upgrade. The problem is the laptop you have is very entry level gaming specs and upgrades may not add value. I think it is time for someone to put hands on - preferably someone with gaming experience.
@roberta591 Well, tomorrow my dad's gonna call a technician in - he's not totally game savvy but he might be able to work out what the issue is...
@roberta591 OK, so the technician thinks it's an issue with the monitor itself and I may need to hook up an external monitor to my laptop...
@FirePrincess917 Your laptop has a LGD038E screen that is LED back lit. As you didn't indicate issues with other programs I would guess the screen is working properly. Normally this technology works or it don't work. According to Acer your computer has a VGA and a HDMI post. The 15 pin VGA is fading fast because of the limitations of the technology. HDMI (the same ports that are on most of today's TVs) is the same technology as DVI except DVI does not have audio and HDMI does. While this may be the problem there is a simple test to determine if it is. Just hook it up to a tv with HDMI. I have seen some VGA monitors in resale shops for $20. Borrowing someone's monitor (or tv) with the proper inputs (or go to them) could be hooked up fast. Let us know how you make out.
