Unable to start game

Could you post your Computer's DxDiag?

To gather a DxDiag on your computer, please follow the steps below:

If you have Microsoft Windows XP:
1. Click the Start button on the Windows Taskbar.
2. Select Run.
3. Type dxdiag in the available text field.
4. Click OK.
5. Click Save All Information.

If you have Windows Vista/Win 7 and do not have a Run selection:

1. Click On Start
2. Type dxdiag into Search Box
3. Program opens
4. Click Save All Information.

Windows 8

1. Make sure you are on the tiled screen
2. Type DxDiag and hit enter
3. Program should open
4. Click Save All Information.

The whole thing won't fit into one post. Split it up in multiple posts.

I clicked "solvd" by mistake.  Is it possible to "unsolve" this?

Here's the first part of the DxDiag output:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/25/2013, 22:33:03
Machine name: LILAC-PC
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.130107-0416)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: LENOVO
System Model: 7417CTO
BIOS: Ver 1.00PARTTBL(
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P8600 @ 2.40GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2968MB RAM
Page File: 1445MB used, 3407MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found. Direct3D functionality not available. You should verify that the driver is a final version from the hardware manufacturer.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A42&SUBSYS_20E417AA&REV_07
Display Memory: n/a
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (16 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: ThinkPad Display 1440x900
Monitor Max Res: 1440,900
Driver Name: igxprd32.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.5420 (English)
DDI Version: unknown
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/28/2012 18:34:36, 58368 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: igxpmp32.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/28/2012 18:34:36, 2019200 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6902-11CF-3661-EE00A6C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2A42
SubSys ID: 0x20E417AA
Revision ID: 0x0007
Revision ID: 0x0007
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Not Available
D3D Status: Not Available
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Conexant HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_14F1&DEV_5051&SUBSYS_17AA211C&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: CHDAU32.sys
Driver Version: 3.64.0015.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 9/20/2011 13:18:38, 822400 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Conexant
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Conexant HD Audio input
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: CHDAU32.sys
Driver Version: 3.64.0015.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 9/20/2011 13:18:38, 822400 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x0
Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x2937
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 4/13/2008 12:45:38, 59520 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/4/2004 05:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 4/13/2008 12:18:00, 52480 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 11:39:47, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/13/2008 17:13:20, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 11:39:47, 24576 bytes
|
+ ThinkPad UltraNav Pointing Device
| Matching Device ID: *ibm0057
| Upper Filters: SynTP
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 4/13/2008 12:18:00, 52480 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 11:39:48, 23040 bytes
| Driver: SynTP.sys, 4/22/2010 17:17:40, 244784 bytes
| Driver: SynTPAPI.dll, 4/22/2010 17:16:12, 165160 bytes
| Driver: SynCOM.dll, 4/22/2010 17:16:08, 173352 bytes
| Driver: SynCtrl.dll, 4/22/2010 17:16:10, 210216 bytes
| Driver: SynTPRes.dll, 4/22/2010 17:16:48, 8721704 bytes
| Driver: SynTPCpl.dll, 4/22/2010 17:16:16, 1205544 bytes
| Driver: SynCntxt.rtf, 4/22/2010 17:03:12, 2670530 bytes
| Driver: SynZMetr.exe, 4/22/2010 17:16:06, 247080 bytes
| Driver: SynMood.exe, 4/22/2010 17:16:02, 238888 bytes
| Driver: SynTPEnh.exe, 4/22/2010 17:16:04, 1725736 bytes
| Driver: SynTPCOM.dll, 4/22/2010 17:16:14, 107816 bytes
| Driver: Tutorial.exe, 4/22/2010 17:16:08, 337192 bytes
| Driver: InstNT.exe, 4/22/2010 17:15:58, 124200 bytes
| Driver: SynISDLL.dll, 4/22/2010 17:16:12, 218408 bytes
| Driver: SynUnst.ini, 4/29/2010 17:17:44, 679324 bytes
| Driver: SynTPHelper.exe, 4/22/2010 17:16:04, 103720 bytes
| Driver: SynChiralRotate.mpg, 9/17/2008 13:13:08, 382277 bytes
| Driver: SynFlick.mpg, 9/3/2008 11:27:28, 737975 bytes
| Driver: SynPinch.mpg, 9/3/2008 11:27:28, 286463 bytes
| Driver: SynMomentum.mpg, 9/3/2008 11:27:28, 246230 bytes
| Driver: SynLinearVHScroll.mpg, 9/3/2008 11:27:28, 929103 bytes
| Driver: SynChiralVHScroll.mpg, 9/3/2008 11:27:28, 1620778 bytes
| Driver: SynTwoFingerVHScroll.mpg, 3/16/2009 09:44:00, 746464 bytes
| Driver: SynPivotRotate_ChiralRotate.mpg, 4/9/2009 17:04:14, 1142810 bytes
| Driver: SynThreeFingerFlick.mpg, 3/16/2009 09:44:00, 633621 bytes
| Driver: SynThreeFingersDown.mpg, 3/16/2009 09:44:00, 215907 bytes
| Driver: SynTPLpr.exe, 4/22/2010 17:16:46, 128296 bytes
| Driver: TP4table.dat, 10/13/2009 11:34:48, 7136 bytes
| Driver: TP4scrol.dat, 10/13/2009 11:34:48, 7136 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_JP.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 12801 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_GR.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 14792 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_IT.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 14300 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_SP.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 13687 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_FR.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 13545 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_FI.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 15345 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_NL.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 13896 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_NO.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 12976 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_DK.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 13551 bytes
| Driver: TP4Sc_SE.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 12834 bytes
| Driver: TP4Scrol.htm, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 13233 bytes
| Driver: TP4-A123.GIF, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 43499 bytes
| Driver: TP4-ASR.GIF, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 120911 bytes
| Driver: TP4-HEAD.GIF, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 22797 bytes
| Driver: TP4-I.JPG, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 894 bytes
| Driver: TP4-IMG.JPG, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 756 bytes
| Driver: TP4-ISR.JPG, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 753 bytes
| Driver: TP4-MG.GIF, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 26890 bytes
| Driver: TP4-NOTE.GIF, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 201 bytes
| Driver: TP4-SC.GIF, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 73657 bytes
| Driver: TP4SCROL.CSS, 8/14/2006 10:41:46, 5537 bytes
| Driver: SynPivotRotate.mpg, 4/9/2009 17:04:14, 770663 bytes
| Driver: SynTPCo4.dll, 4/22/2010 17:16:14, 120104 bytes
| Driver: WdfCoInstaller01009.dll, 8/7/2009 09:49:36, 1461992 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/13/2008 17:13:20, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 11:39:48, 23040 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.6311)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.6311)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.6311)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.6311)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: Standard 33600 bps Modem
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: ThinkPad Modem Adapter
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM3
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Wireless Network Connection - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 72.4 GB
Total Space: 146.7 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: FUJITSU MHZ2160BH G1

Drive: D:
Model: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-U20N
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/13/2008 11:40:46, 62976 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
Name: Intel(R) WiFi Link 5300 AGN
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4236&SUBSYS_10118086&REV_00\4&318470AD&0&00E1
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) Management Engine Interface
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A44&SUBSYS_20E617AA&REV_07\3&B1BFB68&0&18
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\HECI.sys, 4.02.0000.1008 (English), 6/23/2009 12:49:58, 40832 bytes

Name: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A43&SUBSYS_20E417AA&REV_07\3&B1BFB68&0&11
Driver: n/a

Name: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A42&SUBSYS_20E417AA&REV_07\3&B1BFB68&0&10

The DxDiag output file is bigger than 20,000 and I have only sent the first part.  Please let me know if you need the rest.

Strangely enough your DxDiag does not show how much dedicted memory you have. I wonder if there's something wrong with the chip.

I'm not very good at hardware stuff but I'll see if I can get someone else to help you out.

I've been reading around, there is not much information on this =/  I did find that some people updated their graphic drivers and it fixed it for them, can you try?

Thanks!  I believe that the Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset shares the display memory with the system memory.  It can pull as much as required (up to a limit that is above 128M) as dedicated display memory.  I ran the test on http://www.systemrequirementslab.com and it told me that I do not have display memory and I can not run Sims 3.  That does not make sense to me, as I know that I ran Sims 3 on this PC before.  Additionally, in  http://www.thesims3.com/game/systemreq the Intel 4 series chipset is mentioned as compatible.  Could it be the new drivers or an update to Sims 3 do not recognize the dynamic partition between the system and display memory?

> I did find that some people updated their graphic drivers and it fixed it for them, can you try?

I have just updated the graphics drivers to what I believe are the latest ones for this chipset (version 6.14.0010.5420).  It did not solve the problem.

I'm still searching..

I can only think of one thing else, reseting your graphics card. If that doesn't solve it either, then I would consider contacting EA's customer support.