Sims 2 Complete Collection Screen Turns Black When Clicked

Hi there!

I've had TS2 on this laptop in the past, so I know it's possible. I do remember doing a bit of work (using fixes and workarounds) to make it function, though. I'm on a Gateway laptop with an Intel graphics card running Windows 8 (internal problem stops me from being able to install 8.1 or 10, this is an ongoing issue I'm having with Gateway as a company but again, I've run Sims 2 on this laptop before.) I launch via the Sims2EP9.exe in Program Files (x86)/EA Games/The Sims 2 Mansion and Garden Stuff/TSBin. I don't bother using the shortcut.

I downloaded The Sims 2 Complete Collection through games4theworld on thepiratebay and followed the install instructions, including the order in which to install the games and patches, and cracked it. The game then loaded up just fine, but when I tried to enter a lot (inhabited or not) or create a sim, it would crash to desktop.

I used the DEP fix and it still crashed. Then, I switched every individual EP and SP's .exe (as well as the base game's) to run in XP service pack 3 compatibility mode as well as making them an administrator. The game still crashed. I used SecruROM Removal Tool next. Finally, the game stopped crashing ... but a new problem started.

When I load a neighborhood, the screen turns black when the load is almost complete. If I use the start button to enter the Windows 8 start menu then click on Desktop, I can see the task bar. Then, if I click on Sims 2 in the task bar to go back to the game, I can see everything again and the black screen is gone. However, as soon as I click on something, the black screen returns. The click still functions, it just turns the screen black and I have to go back to the start menu, click desktop, and re-enter sims 2 via the task bar after every single click. 

I used Graphics Rule Maker to allow high quality on Intel graphics and support Vsync on Intel and that changed nothing. I have no idea what else to do. Please, does anyone know how to help?


EDIT: I just tried running in windowed mode and the same thing happens. The window isn't the only thing that goes black, it's the whole screen as though the game is still in full screen.


EDIT 2: I also changed my Graphics Rules file as shown in the image.

Carlos wrote:Hello and welcome to the forum !


Have you made sure to download and install ALL available Windows updates ?

Thank you!

I just installed all my updates last night. No change to the issue. 

My computer is a bit faster, though. 

I took the screenshot as shown above, but I have a problem with the second step. I don't have a Legacy Components folder.

I'm on a Gateway NV570P. I tried googling for the drivers but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for! :$

Carlos wrote:

cottontailcat wrote:I'm on a Gateway NV570P. I tried googling for the drivers but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for! :$

Have a look at the "driver update utility tool" here:

See if it detects any updates for your system then. Good luck !

Thank you! I ran the tool and installed the update it suggested, then restarted and started the game.

Unfortunately, there was no change, other than the first loading screen (the one that says The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff) taking an incredibly long time to load compared to previous attempts. After trying to load a neighborhood, the screen still went black.

Carlos wrote:Did you consider the option that Windows 8 might causing part of the issue ? I'm not sure what else to suggest at that point, I'm sorry.

 Yeah, that's what I'm thinking now. Well, at least I've tried everything! I'll try uninstalling and reinstalling this week and report back if it works. Thanks anyway for all your help, you were great!!