I'm not sure if this will help, and I'm not sure if there's some game/processing/arbitrary reason that it shouldn't be done, but this thread over at GoS gives instructions for forcing the game to recognize RAM over 2GB. Actually, it's just the instructions for TS3, used on TS2. I tried it on my game and nothing terrible has happened. I haven't noticed any huge difference, but I don't have that much cc compared to others.

I'm running an Nvidia GeForce 9500 GT and an AMD processor (triple core). I have updated the graphics driver within recent memory, but IIRC, this starting happening before the update.

I agree that it seems like it's merely a visual annoyance and not sign of impending failure.

Are you running Vista? I have the same problem. On my old computer (with XP) the game started up fine. When I got my new PC (with Vista), the first few times the game loaded quickly, then suddenly started getting that black screen before loading. It doesn't last long for me--five seconds tops--but it is annoying. I could never figure out what caused it, nor could I ever make it stop--although it doesn't happen in windowed mode. I just chalked it up either to a quirk in Vista or my graphics card.

I found the AP story. link

This seems to be a common problem with Radeon cards. I had it and quickly switched to an Nvidia because no amount of driver updating helped. As a temporary fix, adjusting the slider for smooth edges and changing the pixel settings from round to square seemed to help. Here is a recent thread about it.

I am also having this problem and it is driving me crazy. I have a Radeon HD 4350. I'm running Vista 64-bit. I have tried many different drivers and none of them solve this problem. Is anyone else using this card with Vista 64? If so, can you tell me which driver version you're using?

I always like the look of your houses, Jim. I think my favorite part of this one, for a reason I can't quite put my finger on, is the way the border of the front patio alternates between fencing and garden areas. I also like the way you used the table booth seats for a couch. I don't know why, but it wouldn't have ever occurred to me to use them like that.

I like the cottage, Faizah. It's simple, but cozy. Where did those windows come from? I don't recognize them.

@orginalhalf -- I really like the modern look of your house. I can never seem to do modern very well, so I always download those type of houses. Like Emma, I really like those concertina walls. And that cc garden is gorgeous. I really love the hot tub deck too.

@mrowcat -- I think that the contrast between the stone and the siding on the exterior works really well. I also like the fenced off portion of the back garden. I would so sit in that garden seat on a sunny afternoon. I don't know about that heavy, Victorianish wallpaper in the sewing room. I think it conflicts with the rest of the house. It's still a nice looking house, though.

@cucumberpie -- Nice primary colors. I attempted a version that was mainly primary colors and it ended up looking like Superman exploded all over the house, so I am impressed that you pulled it off. I think the dining room carpet is my favorite part.

@originalhalf -- Thanks. I actually did the landscaping first this time instead of leaving it until the end. I think it made a difference because I wasn't in a hurry to just get it done already.

@loaf -- That is awesome. You did a great job of sticking to your theme and making it everything work together. The only thing I would change is moving the TV off of a diagonal. I don't think sims can watch it properly that way. (They stay standing up instead of sitting their rears on the couch.) But that hardly matters.

*yoinks*

Well, I guess the only thing to do is to try it and see what happens. I'll download something soon and report back if no one else gets to it first.

@Faizah--I'll have to go back and look through the thread. I must have missed yours. Or at least not noticed that it didn't include M&G.

@starlady and PearlRose--Thanks. I don't think it compares to some of the clever things others have done with this house, but I like how it turned out for the most part.

Really? That's good to know. I figured that since M&G worked more like an EP than a SP, it would be required for lots built with it. Now I can happily go on a yoinking spree. Thanks!

I know it's been a few months since I've done one of these houses, but I wanted to give this one a try. I hope you like green, because that seems to be where my mind was.

The house ended up with 3 bedrooms (plus nursery), and 3 baths. It's not entirely awesomespec, but it's close. I liked the way I did the stairs on the ground floor, so I didn't want to close them in. I play tested it and everything seems fine. For $125,971 (not wanded), your sims can see if I'm telling the truth.

Front


Top Down Views






Front Yard


Family "Room"


Rec Room


More pictures

Download here.

ETA: I have all EPs and the Glamour Life, Teen Style, and Ikea stuff packs.

Also, I wanted to mention that I've loved just about every entry this month, but I haven't said anything because I'm annoyed that I can't download a single one. You people with your M&G SP are just killing me. 

Cheers. I will just keep going with that method then.

Well, what I've actually been doing is packaging the occupied lot to a file, updating the package to contain the lot file only using the Clean Installer, and then using the updated clean package to install the lots into the new neighborhood. Is there some reason why that would not work?

edit:

I'm not sure that I completely understand everything she said in that thread, so I would be afraid to attempt it. Plus, I need the Maxis Strangetown playables. I could clone them from my old hood too, but I'd rather not since they're sitting right there ready to go. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

jolrei--The house is actually already occupied. I might try moving them out and packaging, though. I actually like that house now that I've remodeled it and I've had a few scenes there for my story, so I'd rather not have to use a different one if at all possible.

talysman--That was my feeling too, which is why I asked. I was just trying to find a simple way to transfer the lots between neighborhoods. However, it seems like packaging the lots, removing character information, and then dropping them into the new hood is the best way to go. I was just trying to be lazy, honestly, but I don't mind doing it the long way.

I remember that discussion your referenced, and if I remember correctly creating two accounts with two different hoods was ok. It was having the same hood--but with different neighborhood file numbers--on the same account that was dangerous. Either way, I won't be playing the new hoods at the same time. Once the transfer is done, I'll remove the old one.

Yes, she does.   

I had no trouble packaging my owned business lots, but the downtown house and the graveyard would not package. No game errors were thrown, but I got an in-game message saying that there was an error packaging the lot. The cemetery isn't a big deal to me, but the house I need.

Thanks, jolrei. I already am well aware of 1-3, so no worries there.

I think I realize where I went wrong with copying the lot file. I suppose the method I should have tried was move sims out, replace lot file from backed up hood. Go into the lot to see if everything is as it should be, then copy the unoccupied lot file into the new neighborhood. I couldn't get it to work properly, which is why I was trying to do the replacement with occupied lot files. I missed a step in there.

I was trying to avoid having to go through the neighborhood and package all of my lots. With all of the moving in and out required, it really seems like using the lot files isn't actually saving me any time.


I have packaged occupied lots in the past with gravestones and used the Clean Installer to remove everything but the lot package. The graves are gone using this method. Since I've done it in the past, I have no idea if the graves are the reason why the lot won't package. I'll try getting rid of them before packaging, though, just in case.

Thanks for your help.

I have decided to rebuild my neighborhood from scratch for various reasons. Since I play in Strangetown, I added a new account on to my pc to start a clean game and not have any cross-fire between the new Strangetown and the old. I would like to make this rebuild as easy as possible, so instead of having to package and remodel lots, I'd like to know if it is possible to just take the lot files from the old N002 and transfer them into the new N002 (overwriting the default lot files).

I tested it out and it seem to work great for community lots. I am thinking that this method is pretty safe for those since there won't be any character data tagging along with the lot. Is that correct?

My next question is about using this method with occupied residential lots. I know that using an old lot file is safe to do within the same neighborhood because I've seen several posts that people use that method to restore furniture and such after a move out. My question is whether it is safe to do between these two "same but different" hoods.

When I tested it, I found that the characters in the household had been set to their positions/actions at save in the old N002 and any characters not present in the original household were standing by the mailbox. Therefore I wondered if I was carrying some bad character data from the old hood into the new. But before I re-remodel all of the houses, I thought I would check here and get the scoop.

Oh, and one final question. I tried packaging the downtown House of Fallen Trees (or whatever it's called--the creepy old house in the default downtown) and got an error. Would it be safe just to take that lot file and copy it into the new downtown? I'm going to be building the new N002 downtown from scratch, but I do need that house. The house is currently occupied in the old hood. I'm wondering if the error is because of the graves on the lot, but I don't actually need them, just the lot.

There is a fixed version of the double openme window on MTS2 somewhere. I looked through my downloads and it looks like wind is the creator.

I have to say that almost all of my sims used to get that want. I was wondering if maybe the Freetime hobby want spam was stomping it since this is the first time I've played any sims through uni since installing that EP.

Anyway, I did pull wfsanity when I played tonight. I played through an entire semester on one lot. This sim has no friends in any greek house and did not roll the want. The second lot I played had four sims, all of whom have friends in greek houses. As soon as I loaded the lot, two of the sims (knowledge and family) rolled wants to join a greek house.

Of course, it could be a complete coincidence, but there you go.

That is gorgeous, nanacake. I'm definitely yoinking it.

If I play uni tonight, I'll try pulling wfsanity and let you know what happens.

Oops. Yes, I meant to add that I do have wfsanity. Also, I'm running all EPs (except Pets).

Also, my students all are friends with members of various greek houses.

I've been having the same problem, Emma. Everyone used to roll that want. Lately I haven't had a single sim (out of almost 15 I'm playing through uni) roll it.