Blank error dialog box upon launch Installed fine

[kerowyn130]

Hi, I received a blank error message upon launch. As seen here:
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s145/Angelsdnl/laucherror.jpg?t=1270529260
When I press yes, the game launches, in that it allows me to click "play." However, after I click play, and before the game launches, it gives me the error message above. When I click yes, in the dialog box, the game seems to launch. However, when I try to play any part of the game, the whole thing crashes.

I have Sims 2 Deluxe and have not modified the game at all. I got it brand new at Game Stop in DVD format. As I am currently operating off of Windows Vista, I downloaded all of the patches but that has not worked. I've also reinstalled the game several times, including a full registry wipe, to no avail.

Going through the game FAQs I've downloaded the patches suggested for other similar error windows. No Go. I've also tried to delete the groups cache file that is supposedly in the document/EA Games/Sims 2 folder. There was no such folder so I could not delete that. I've attached the specs to my system below. If someone can help me, I would be forever grateful. I haven't even been able to play the game yet!


SPECS:

• Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.091208-0542)
• System Manufacturer: Dell
• System Model: XPS M1330
• Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7250 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
• Memory: 3574MB RAM
• Page File: 1418MB used, 5919MB available
• DirectX Version: DirectX 10
==Display==
• Name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
• Manufacturer:Intel
• Chip Type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
• Approx. Total Memory: 358 MB
• Main Driver:igdumd32.dll
• Version: 7.14.0010.1253 (English)
• Driver Date: 5/24/2007 05:40:56, 2363392 bytes

==Sound==
• Description: Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC)
• Driver Name: stwrt.sys
• Driver Version: 6.10.5614.0000 (English)
• Date: 1/1/2008 20:44:40

==Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives==
• Drive: C:
• Free Space: 89.0 GB
• Total Space: 260.6 GB
• File System: File System: NTFS
• Model: TOSHIBA MK3252GS

[Mootilda]

Have you tried running the game directly and avoiding the launcher?

Have you tried running in a window, without sound, and with a low resolution:
-w -r800x600 -nosound.

[kerowyn130]

How would I run the game without a launcher? Nothing I click in the folders allows me to directly run from the folders.

[kerowyn130]

I should also mention that the option I have to click is not Sims 2 but Sims 2 store edition. Don't know if this makes a difference. I bought the Sims 2 double deluxe.

[Mootilda]

How to bypass the launcher:
http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Bypassing_Launcher

How to run in windowed mode:
http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Windowed_Mode

You'll note that I suggested several other options, in addition to the "-w" required to run in a window. You'll just add them to your shortcut in the same way, separated by spaces as shown.

It shouldn't make a difference that you're running the Store Edition. You just need to make sure that you specify the correct (Store Edition) EXE file; I believe that it's called "Sims2EP99.exe".

After you've done this, come back and let us know what happened when you tried to run the game from the new shortcut.