Well, I fixed that problem.  I ended up wiping my harddrive. I am pretty sure it all had something to do with Securom 7.2 that was included in NWN2, which i would never had known had one of you not mentioned it.  Thanks again for your helpful suggestions.

That is what is confusing me, too.  Also, i haven't changed any scripts.  I wonder if securom uploaded something onto our computers that conflicts with our video cards.  Perhaps i'm just being paranoid.

Thanks again. I was sort of afraid of even posting, but I've been pleasantly surprised, you are all very helpful and not at all scary.

I updated my drivers, deleted securom (stupid awful thing, that), and made sure my disk was clean.  I even made a different account on this computer to see if that worked, and I've deleted the little Sims folder in hopes that regeneration would clear up this thing.  Maybe I'm just not destined to play The Sims again. :p

I know its not my cd drive as the thing starts to load, it just stalls at "faceting precious gems."  At least it doesn't exactly crash anymore since i updated my drivers, but I wish i knew what was happening when the gems were faceted.  That way i could find out what was screwing the whole thing up.

Is there anyway to know what is going on when the loading screen comes up?

Thanks guys. I did update my Nvidia and sound drivers, and now the game starts, but when it gets to "faceting precious gems" it freezes. I am v. curious about this Securom stuff, I had no clue that NWN2 had it as well...i was complaining to a friend that it was too pricey and he just gave me his, lucky me.  Only now i can't play the sims. I guess you really don't get anything for free. 

I keep doing the tweakguides recommended system search for Securom and I can't find it anywhere on my system, so is it not there, or is it just hiding?

I also tried setting up a new user account on my computer, but on that account the game freezes right away.

Hello,
I have an Inspiron E1505 with an Nvidia GO GeForce 7300 graphics card and two gigs of memory.  I also have Vista.  When i first got this computer in March I installed all the expansion packs and the Sims original game with no problem whatsoever.  I have heard scary things about Vista, but my experience up until now has been that if you have the machine for it, vista isn't so bad. 

Earlier this week I installed and played Neverwinter Nights II.  Previously I've played Oblivion on this computer but all the rest of my games were on the small side.  Yesterday I tried to start up Bon Voyage and got the little "game is crashing, you suck" box.  I immediately removed all downloads, but my game still crashed.  I then completely uninstalled all Sims games and Neverwinter Nights, and reinstalled the Sims stuff, but my game still crashes.  I've read a little online about similar problems, but when I go into the Nvidia control panel I only have two options, to rotate the screen and to use multiple screens. 

I will fully understand if you all point and laugh, especially those of you who despise Vista, but i'm at my wits end and hope that one of you can please help me.