Is it really my processor?

[Seqkat]

Sometimes you can go into a store, say what you want your computer for, and they'll fix you up with one.

ANSWER:

I would be very, very careful about this. It's not a good idea to go out computer shopping and depend solely on a retailer for advice unless it's someone you trust, and never do it at a big box retailer. They may or may not know what they are talking about, and a lot of employees will gladly take advantage of a customer in order to make a sale, especially if there's commission involved.

This is very true in the UK. The big chains are useless, they will deliberately lie - to get a sale. Proved on TV watchdog programs.  They do not employ people with computer skills, just anybody who wants a job. Try to return the product  and get a refund because of misleading sales tactics, may result in a long and costly legal battle. They know this and can afford it, they also know the average person can not.

So, go to the small independant shops, they rely on goodwill and repeat business. It is probably the same in other countries.

Sorry, what? The TV told you that all large PC retailers are stupid/evil and you are actually claiming that as evidence? Did you WANT someone to come and point out your stupid?

Furthermore, your picture is inaccurate. The problem with places such as PC World (which will henceforth be the main retailer discussed) is that they are inconsistent - they do tend to hire people who are very good with computers, but simultaneously staff who don't know what a monitor is. This also is subject to local variaton - so I know that my local one at home requires people to demonstrate computer skills as part of the interview, but the one in Oxford will hire anyone (or so they tell me.) If you work with their core departments however (bypassing the poor confused part-time staff), they are quick, not overly expensive, and good at what you want them to do. I have heard them endorsed from senior types in IT companies as well, so this is not just my isolated opinion. The trick is to not go in entirely uninformed - so that you can recognise whether you are being served by someone who knows what they are doing.

[wizard_merlin]

The best option, in my opinion is to find an independent computer retailer and have them build something within your budget.  Most larger retail stores tend to sell brand name equipment which may have a good processor but crappy graphics for gaming, or a good graphics and poor CPU performance, usually to keep the costs down, at least in my area.

We have a couple of good independent computer stores who specialise in building systems to your needs, tell them what you want, and you will usually get a better system for your money, and one which is usually more easily upgraded later on, plus better and usually more personalised after sales service as these places depend very much on repeat business and good word of mouth advertising.

The other option, learn how to build systems yourself, they really aren't that hard to do.

[daisylee]

Try the DEP and cff explorer routes first before looking at new hardware. In my game, I just need to adjust the cff explorer settings to avoid crashes.

[GnatGoSplat]

LN and the patches released at the same time no longer require the CFF Explorer setting.  They are already set to be LAA aware.  It took the EA people long enough to figure that one out.

[mslewis]

LN and the patches released at the same time no longer require the CFF Explorer setting.  They are already set to be LAA aware.  It took the EA people long enough to figure that one out.

So I should just have to install everything again then patch and all will be well in Simland?  No extra tweaking on my party?  I assume the patches will fix Fast Lane also?  I have yet to purchase Late Night since all the trouble FL caused.

[daisylee]

LN and the patches released at the same time no longer require the CFF Explorer setting.  They are already set to be LAA aware.  It took the EA people long enough to figure that one out.

I noticed that when I went to update mine. Does the patch affect just LN, LN and the base game, all? Does she need to go ahead and update the base game and any EPs and stuff packs prior to LN or is the patch patching all? I had already done everything else and so the only thing new for me was that LN was already done when I went into explorer.

[GnatGoSplat]

If you have LN, then LN will patch the base game only.  You'll need to download and install the patches for your other EPs and SPs separately.
No extra tweaking necessary, though some people recommend the DEP change in Windows.  I left my DEP in the default setting and have never had a DEP-related CTD, so not everyone has to mess with DEP.  I don't know why some people do and some don't.

[mslewis]

Thanks, but I must have bigger issues.  I just installed the base game last night and loaded to make sure it all worked...2 seconds it play mode...CRASH!?  I never had that problem before.  It's just so frustrating!  I'm thinking I did something when I was trying to get Fast Lane to work that has messed everything up on my computer.  If only I could remember all that I did.