Too many drivers installed, which ones to keep, which ones to uninstall?

Dec 22, 2007

- I uninstalled
The Sims 2 and all EP's;
shockwave;
flash;
scripten (windows script editor 5.7);
drivers for ATI.

I reinstalled
directX9;
ATI drivers (including Catalyst);
The Sims 2 (just the base game, no EP's).

I played The Sims 2 for about 20 minutes. I set the graphics to the highest in the game settings and all is well. I also have again the options in the game for different refresh rates. Mine is set to the recommeded 60 hertz.

It seems that either Windows Script Editor, Shockwave, or Flash messes up my graphics settings. I have many, many contacts on Yahoo Instant Messenger, and Yahoo advised me I needed to download and install those items to be able to use Messenger correctly. My yahoo email is my primary email account, and I like the way yahoo notifies me of mail, subscriptions, and messages. Should I go with MSN messenger?

THANK YOU, stejeda777, for trying to help. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE, AND GOD BLESS YOU! :d

Dec 23, 2007

- and now i crashed again. i installed all my EPs and played the game for 15 min with lowest graphics settings in game, then switched to highest settings in game, like i used to play before getting winXP...now i crashed. (sigh)

Dec 25, 2007

- Merry Christmas, stejeda!
the thing is, when this pc was brought back to me a week ago with xp put on it, i loaded the Sims and 4 ep's, and it played fine...i played for an hour with the high graphics settings in the game.

then i signed in to my yahoo messenger account and dled those 3 items that i needed because when i would type text into the messenger box, it would not appear when i hit enter or send. same with others typing, it turned white and i could not see it.

so then messenger was working, and then graphics messed up in the game.

my mainboard is s3 pro savage via chipset.
Under display adapter, it says i have 2
S3 ProGraphics DDR
and
Radeon 7500

Since getting my pc back I have not messed with ANY s3 settings. I sent my mainboard and ATI cds along with my pc, and since the game worked right after i got it back, i cant imagine it is the s3.

It's sad to spend entire days searching for the solution, and even sadder to read how messed up the graphics card makers are, when it comes to lack of acknowledging their products have problems. I tell ya, if I were not a Christian, this problem would really have thrown me for a loop. This is Christmas morning, after all! :D

Oh, on directX, the 3d hardware acceleration is grayed out. the sims2 do not require it, and i am not sure i ever had it. i do know it has been grayed out when i got the pc back.

Dec 28, 2007

- ((((((stej))))))))) it's ok. actually, i only now realized you commented that day again.

I want to try something, but am afraid to without knowing for sure what will happen if i do...i have 2 display adapters showing up in display properties - ati radeon on pci slot 1, and s3 prosavage on pci slot 1.
now remember, my s3 is on my motherboard, integrated graphics.
so if i disable the s3 display adapter, maybe them sharing is what is causing my trouble, and if i disable the s3 that might work...but i am afraid i will not be able to see any screen on any monitor then if i do that.

i am thinking i can disable it this way:
right click desktop
properties
settings
then select monitor 2, the one the s3 display adapter is on, and disable it.

also, i looked inside my tower and noticed the port(?) where i plug my main monitor into the ati place, was very, very loose. i tightened it real good. i haven't checked the graphics since tightening it.

i must share something with you: i am very, very poor and am on disibility. (but i am very, very happy! :D) my internet is my one luxury, and i get a good deal on that. even though all my needs are met almost every month, i never have extra money to spend. so i cant just buy something. the guy from church who put xp on this pc for me did it out of the goodness of his heart.
LOL, i have studied so much about computers these past few weeks, i feel if i had all the parts, i could build one myself! (and that would be fun!)

I double checked while i was inside my tower, and although there are available agp slots, mine is indeed in pci slot 1.

your comments on the sims2 requirements...this same ati card was wonderful, the game was played for hours on end in highest graphic settings in game, and could be played like that day after day. so i really don't understand how come i cant get that again, if i have the same games and the same cards. (i build sims houses and churches for others and so sometimes am building in the game all morning long.) no slowness at all.

Thank you again for continuing to try and help me! :D - Petunia Mae

Oct 03, 2008

- Hi, harvest.
When I had my ATI Radeon I downloaded the drivers from ATI: http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.HTML