The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection not working on Windows 8

Then you can't get past create a family/sim.

Solution doesn't help still freeze either after intro or create family screen (Oddly I do not have these issues with Sims 3, So I know it's again not the hardware or specs)

I have also got this problem, It is well known that The Sims 2 is quite a buggy game even at the best of times, but to the point where you can't get past the loading screen after the opening vid is rediculous. I have been searching accross the interwebs trying to get a fresh perspective on the matter and it seems a whole lot of people are having this problem and I have tried the various solutions that people had to offer, such as:

- reinstalling Directx 9.0c

- making sure graphics card drivers are up to date

- running in compatabilty mode

- running as admin

- verifing game data

- checking for game updates

- checking for windows updates

Specs: for specs I have also seen that you need at least 4GB of FREE memory of RAM for the game to run properly and windows takes up around 2GB itself so at least 6GB of RAM, but I would recormend having around 8GB for cushioning as you may have other background applications taking up memory also.

My computer specs are: (to find this type "DXdiag" into windows search)

OS - Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600)

Processor: AMD FX(tm)-4100 Quad Core Processor

Memory: 8192MB RAM

Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series

DirectX Version: DirectX 11 (but i also have older version installed also)

NOW, I have had issues with games in the past due to my graphics card being AMD which causes incompatability with some games software such as "Saints Row 2" causeing it to be unplayable and this again may be the case with The Sims 2, I don't know. but hopefully people find this info useful.

I apologise for any spelling errors or unreadable parts as I am dyslexic.

I am going to test to see if I can get The Sims 2 to work on my Windows 8.1 laptop at a later date also and see if it works

Thanks for the information. Did any of those solutions work, or seem to make the game any better for you? I've tried some, and they either had no effect or made it freeze earlier. I assume the problem is the Sims 2 Ultimate Collection itself, as Sims 2 (and 3) works fine on my laptop.

These are solutions that I have tried myself earlier today and made no changes to the issue at hand, I do believe that this is a fault in the game itself rather than the fault of the computers that we are using to try and play the game, I will keep trying to solve this issue until I get a better result.

I agree. I hope you do find a better result - please tell us if you do!

It was never designed to run on systems such as WIn Vista upward it had horrid issues with vista in the OS' early days if memory serves me correctly eventually I got it running on my laptop but pretty much haven't touched the Sims 2 since Sims 3 came out but it will not boot on my wifes laptop which is windows 8.

It is a flaw in the system somewhere that they need to correct like they had to do with Command & Conquer for the decades edition getting ti to run on Windows XP from as early as Windows 95 and such so they can do it they just need to do it soon. 

They will of course be solving the dodgy key issue first then we'd be next i suspect.

when it freezes it says 'sims 2: fun with pets collection' in which i downloaded sims 2 ultimate collection. i tried check for updates but it didn't work. i have windows 8.1.

I have the same problem on Windows 8 and 7. I tried to update and repair the game but it didn;t help.