joffy99999

when I play sims 2, whenever I go to buy certain objects, such as a sofa, my computer locks up, and then after about 20 seconds brings up the blue screen with this on it:

"The driver for the display device got stuck in an infinite loop. This usually indicates a problem with the device itself or with the device driver programming the hardware incorrectly. Please check with your display device vendor for any driver updates."

I have tried downloading the latest drivers from ATI, but whenever I try to install them I get "INF error - video driver not found." I have even reinstalled windows which didnt fix it. It is an ATI radeon 7500, and it meets the requirements from sims 2.

Also can anyone tell me is it possible to upgrade my graphics card, and if so how? I have an IBM thinkpad t41

dai

you have a video chip use this driver

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/si...cid=MIGR-41918

joffy99999

I tried that and I am still getting the problem. I think my problem is my graphics card doesn't meet the requirements.
Someone in another forum mentioned an external graphics card, are these available to consumers yet or still in development?

TriggerFinger

T41 (even T40, T42 and may be T43) has the dreaded GPU problem. I do not know if this is related but it would require you to have it reballed if ever. Reason behind is, GPU becomes loose and tends to lift off the mobo. Usually happening when GPU becomes hot and motherboard somehow gets warped when lifted up on one side. IMO it could be a design flaw and thus may have video related issues. Test your video too. I have a T42 and I use this to test my video card.

Try the driver as advised by dai and keep the laptop cool at all times.

joffy99999

My laptop does often get very hot. Is then any way to keep it cool? I tried the driver, it didnt fix the problem, but I didnt get the error message which I guess is a positive :)

So this GPU problem, is it a permanent problem, or does it only happen when it is hot?

TriggerFinger

It is the end result of laptop frequently getting hot and being moved/lifted off the desk while operation. It does not happen overnight if that is what you are thinking.

The key there is to keep the laptop cool. Use a cooling pad and check the vents always for any obstruction (I think like the T42, the T41 has vents on the left side). If it is some years old (3 to 5 years old), may be it is also time to open it up, clean the insides and reapply the thermal compound.

I just got my T42 fixed (GPU problem) for $75. To prevent the temps from rising too high, I replaced the fan with the long one. The long one has a heat spreader long enough to reach the video chip so it is cooling the CPU and the video chip at the same time. So far so good. I also refrain from lifting it up/moving around with it while it is in operation... if I need to move it around, I use both hands instead of just one to prevent flexing of the board.

joffy99999

I ran the stability test for 15 minutes, the bottom earth was absolutely fine but the top one didn't really do anything, I didn't even realize there was one until It came up after about 10 minutes and was only changing frame about every 30 seconds? Should I have had 2 smooth spinning worlds?

TriggerFinger

If it did not hang/freeze and no errors popped up. Your GPU could still be in a pretty good shape.

Do you still get the infinite loop error?

joffy99999

Yeh I am, but only on Sims 2 which is why I am now pretty sure its just my graphics card isnt good enough to meet the game requirements. I know some laptops the graphics card can be upgraded, do you know if the thinkpad can? And if not, is an external one a possibility?

TriggerFinger

Nope it cannot be upgraded. As for external video cards, I only see these:
http://www.ohgizmo.com/2007/12/06/more-usb-video-cards/

joffy99999

IS the slot on the left hand side of the thinkpad a PCMCIA? How about this
http://www.oyyy.co.uk/product.php/64...LAID=243003045

TriggerFinger

If you are referring to StarTech 1 Port CardBus/PCMCIA to PCI Adaptor as shown in the link you provided then I must say that it is incompatible. The adaptor is for a desktop PC to it can accept PCMCIA cards.

joffy99999

ok, thanks for your help. Looks like I need a new laptop if I want to game.

TriggerFinger

Consider a desktop if you really want to game. Laptops and games just don't go well together.

joffy99999

Well I do have a desktop actually, its a Fujitsu Siemens Esprimo, decent enough specs apart from only 512mb of ram? Is it easy to upgrade in a desktop? I bought 1 gig for my thinkpad which was easy enough to install.

TriggerFinger

Upgrading a desktop vs. a laptop? I choose desktop anytime.

Desktops give you options not available in laptops.

Captainmark

If you are still looking at the T41 try this.

Solution:


Right click-mouse over My Computer
Properties
Hardware(Tab)
Device Manager(button)
Click [+] next to System devices
right-mouse on CPU to AGP Controller (or whatever your controller is called, mine was SiS AGP)
Update Driver(button)

Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)
Next(button)
Select Don't search. I will choose the driver to install.
Next(button)
Select PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Next(button)
Finish(button)
Reboot.

Now test....

timmus

The "PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge" bridge solution does not work.

I have tested this problem on Sims 2 on IBM T41 (ATI Mobility 7500) under Vista, Win 7, and XP, and it always locks up with the ati2dvag error as soon as items are purchased and dragged into the house. The alarm clock seems to be a big offender when it intersects the house. Since it always involves the alarm clock I strongly suspect this is actual driver or software bugs rather than overheating.

From all my experimenting it appears Sims 2 simply will not run on these Thinkpads.

Tim