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October 5th, 2008 23:00
Inspiron 1525 graphics driver issues
I'm having issues with performance of the Sims 2 game (plays correctly except freezes when creating a family) and based on what I've read, I suspect it has something to do with the drivers and I may need to acquire an older version. This seems to be the most likely fix:
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080428132421AAo8mMf
However, the link provided (for version 7.14.10.1318 A) is supposedly just compatible with a Compac Presario C700. Does anyone know where I might be able to get a similar version for a Dell 1525? I've read that the version for a Dell 1520 will not be correct?
I know the chipset's not ideal for gaming, but regardless of the graphics quality it SHOULD still work. All other specs should be fine for running Sims 2 (based on instructions from EA games). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers.
Laptop: Dell Inspiron 1525 (brand new)
Display adapter: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
[Driver version: 7.14.10.1409]
Processor: Intel(R) Core (TM)2 Duo CPU T5750 @ 2.00GHz
RAM: 2.0 GB
System Type: 32-bit (Vista Home Premium)
Hard Drive: 320GB
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Sofu
984 Posts
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October 6th, 2008 00:00
7oby
193 Posts
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October 6th, 2008 08:00
Version 7.14.10.1318 of the suggested driver is rather old. However for you it's simple to test. Download this archive:
http://downloadmirror.intel.com/14430/eng/winvista_156.zip
This is version 7.14.10.1322 also called v15.6. Installation instructions for installing this driver you'll find here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3643858&postcount=30
These instructions are helpful since otherwise you'll get a message that the drivers you are trying to install are not valided for your computer and installation will fail.
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There is one very big change introduced in the drivers beginning with 7.14.10.1364 (v15.7), which actually might be the cause of Sims2 failing. It's related to T&L Texture and Lightning processing, which you can also find in the hardware requirements list of Sims2:
http://thesims2.ea.com/help/detail.php?help_id=21
This T&L is a particular processing step in the 3d rendering pipeline. Simply speaking there are two ways to perform this T&L rendering: Either your CPU (intel main processor) or the GPU (X3100 graphics core inside intel mainboard GM965 chipset) does it. In the v15.6 drivers the CPU did it (= called SW T&L). Beginning with v15.7 the GPU did it (= called HW T&L).
Details are found in this document
http://www.intel.com/assets/pdf/whitepaper/318888.pdf
But the bottom line is: In your particular case you may get more compatibility and even speed by using the SW T&L route. And this can be done without (!) installing another driver. Just try to rename the sims executable file which you can find in "C:\Program Files\TheSims2" or similar. I don't have this game, but let's assume the executable file is called thesims2.exe, then rename this one to farcry.exe. Then start the game again by double clicking it. It will use SW T&L even with newer drivers and maybe your problem is fixed. If it's fixed, please report back, I'll post a registry setting then, which should fix that problem permanently without requiring to rename files.
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There's more to say. Intel calls "The Sims2" compatible with your graphics card:
http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/intelgm965/sb/CS-026200.htm
Somebody at intel has tested this game. In general I suggest always installing the most recent driver first. Here this would be 7.15.10.1554 (v15.11.2). However there are some guys having problems with this driver on Dell's Insprion 1525:
http://software.intel.com/en-us/forums/user-community-for-intel-graphics-technology/topic/60920/
http://software.intel.com/en-us/forums/user-community-for-intel-graphics-technology/topic/61093/
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In any case: Please report back which of the solutions helped in your case.