No, I don't have any background programs running when I'm playing Sims 2 because that's what they said to do and it still gives me freezing problems.  Just when I'm on IE7 by itself it freezes up I never multitask while playing Sims 2.

If you want to do "multitasking" with Vista you will need more than 1GB of memory.  Having the Sims game open and also doing other things such as the Internet and whatever else is open may be too much.  2GB is a more realistic memory value with Vista.

But, what else do you have running in the "Sys Tray" (lower right)?  Also, you may want to post your Sims problem in the Gaming section as someone there may be able to help you with that.

Is the lockup in ie 7 AFTER playing and exiting Sims 2? What happens in ie 7 after a restart without playing Sims 2?

 

I wonder if all resources are being realeased after Sims 2 is finished.....