My Laptop won't run even Sims 1 Superstar

[redeye3323]

I have an Acer Aspire laptop and have had it a little while but now it won't even run an old simple game like Sims 1: Superstar Expansion Pack (I tried this game as it was old, on my system, and didn't need a lot of spec.


Here is my current specs, if any others are needed just reply to the thread...


Acer Aspire 5101AWLMi,
2GB ram (added), 3645MB Virtual memory (Initial)
AMD Turion 64 Mobile Technology MK36 (2.0 GHz, 512KB L2 Cache),
120GB HDD.

I don't know why it won't play the games, any input would be greatly appreciated.

[redeye3323]

Also, my graphics card is ATI Radeon Xpress 1100

[Cdx]

Hello redeye3323, and welcome to TSF.

What does it do when you try to run the game?

[redeye3323]

Originally Posted by Cdx

Hello redeye3323, and welcome to TSF.

What does it do when you try to run the game?

It works but is very laggy e.g. when i move the mouse it takes a little while.

It easily has the specs to run such a game so I cannot see what would be the problem.

Could it be a problem with memory, a virus or even a faulty graphics card (it played games like deus ex invisible war before but won't play them very quick now)?

Thanks for the welcome and I hope I can pinpoint the problem...

[Lord Sirian]

Is your Turion 64 a dual-core CPU? If it is, try setting the game to single core affinity. It's an older game and may not run well with dual-core CPU's. To set it to run on one core, do this:

*Run the game* -> *Start Task Manager* -> Processes -> *Right click the process* -> Set Affinity -> *Untick Core 2*

[redeye3323]

It's single core I think. The game seems to take most some times all of the CPU when playing, may that be the problem that my Turian 64 isn't good enough even to run such an old game :o or could it be something to do with the memory?

[Lord Sirian]

No you should be able to run the game. Turion 64's come in both Single core and Dual core models. Can you please just check whether it is dual core or single core.

Do this: Start -> control Panel -> Administrative tools -> Computer Management -> Device manager -> *click the + sign next to "Processors"*

Check how many CPU's are listed under Processors. Then post how many there are back here.

[Mcninjaguy]

A 1100 ATI graphics card is really low end and about as strong as 9300 graphics card from ATI. Just because it is a new generation of graphics cards does not mean it can run games just fine.

[redeye3323]

Originally Posted by Mcninjaguy

A 1100 ATI graphics card is really low end and about as strong as 9300 graphics card from ATI. Just because it is a new generation of graphics cards does not mean it can run games just fine.

It could play them before so I don't think that it isn't up to scratch :S

I checked if it could play Dues Ex:Invisible War on the lappie and it passed both minimum and recommended... (it used to play it ok). This is the site I used after seeing it somewhere around this site.

{{{{{http://www.yougamers.com/gameometer/10023/}}}}}

After using the lappie a while the CPU temperature was about 68-69 o'C and the hard disk temp was about 46 o'C, would that cause the game to be slow?

[Lord Sirian]

The CPU temp is a little too high for comfort, but your HDD temp should definitely not be getting above 40. What's your GPU temperature?

[Tiber Septim]

Also, were those temperatures taken when the system was idle or under load?
Try spraying it out with a can of compressed air. It's likely clogged up with dust which is causing it to overheat.
If that doesn't change the temperatures you may want to invest in a cooling pad.

[redeye3323]

Hi, I took off some of the bottom cover and cleaned out a fan which had a lot of dust in (I just used some tissue and blew out most of it).

I have been using it about 30 mins and the CPU temp is about 49 o'C and the HD temp is about 41 o'C.

The CPU has been cooled quite a bit but the HD temp hasn't changed much.

Is there two separate fans or something, if so will I need to take the whole bottom bit off.

[Lord Sirian]

The HD temp has come down 5 degrees, which is a lot for a HD, but it shouldn't really be getting up to the 40 degree mark. How has the gaming been since you cleaned the dust out?

[redeye3323]

Originally Posted by Lord Sirian

The HD temp has come down 5 degrees, which is a lot for a HD, but it shouldn't really be getting up to the 40 degree mark. How has the gaming been since you cleaned the dust out?

Improved a little bit but still laggy for such an old game, the graphics card isn't high specs but it should defo be able to run Sims 1: Superstar if it can run Sims 2 (see earlier post to know how I know it can run it...).

[redeye3323]

Originally Posted by Lord Sirian

The HD temp has come down 5 degrees, which is a lot for a HD, but it shouldn't really be getting up to the 40 degree mark. How has the gaming been since you cleaned the dust out?

Wierd, I have been using it since I posted before and now the temps are

CPU: 46 o'C
HD: 39/40 o'C

[Mcninjaguy]

Does the OC stand for overclock? If you have overclock it take it off right now. Especially if its done with software as the bios is the only proper option for overclocking.

[Phædrus2401]

I think he means degrees Celsius.

[redeye3323]

Originally Posted by Phædrus2401

I think he means degrees Celsius.

That is what I meant, I thought it would be obvious as above it says here are the Temps (as in temperature).