How to Fix The Sims 2 on Windows 10 (Resolution, Smooth Edges, Shadows & Crashing) (The Basics)
⇩ LINKS AND INFO BELOW, PLEASE READ ⇩
These are the basics of setting up and fixing The Sims 2 graphics to run nicely and smoothly on a modern Windows system. Changing resolution, enabling smooth edges, fixing shadows and installing the 4GB patch against crashing!
Once again, these are the BASICS that almost everybody who plays this game has to deal with! If you’re experiencing further technical issues, please refer to the FAQ below.
✦ Text post on improving the graphics: https://simscommunity.info/2016/04/27/the-sims-2-setting-up-the-resolution-windowed-mode-smooth-edges-sim-shadows/
Links from the video:
✦ Nopke’s Sim Shadow Fix: https://modthesims.info/download.php?t=569585
✦ 4GB Patch: https://ntcore.com/?page_id=371
✦ + get WinRAR: https://www.win-rar.com/start.html?&L=0
✯ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ✯
#1 I installed the 4GB patch but I still experience technical issues (crashing, freezing, not starting, glitching).
– Sadly this old game can react differently to different systems and graphics cards. There can be many different reasons behind why your game is still not working. But don’t worry, there is a solution to everything. I recommend you browse this wiki, you will most likely find your answers: https://www.reddit.com/r/sims2help/wiki/technical-support and if not, you can post your question in the subreddit, or you can google your issue, or watch other youtube videos about it, I’m sure your solution is already out there somewhere on the internet. Also, you can get the game to recognise your graphics card this way, in case it doesn’t automatically: http://www.leefish.nl/mybb/showthread.php?tid=6882
(You can also use Graphics Rules Maker to recognise your graphics card, that might be easier, just make sure you read all the instructions carefully).
#2 The shadow fix mod doesn’t work for me, I still get black boxes under my sims.
– I have no idea what the possible issue is if you installed the mod correctly. Maybe you can try choosing a different version of the mod on Mod The Sims. At the end of the day, to get rid of the boxes you can also just turn off sim shadows altogether with the cheat “boolprop simshadows false” (I believe you should be able to change this in the graphics rules file as well but I haven’t tried so it’s just an idea, use with caution). If you choose to use the cheat, here’s how you can make it apply permanently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RlfyWRiN2c&t=4s
#3 Can I play The Sims 2 in windowed mode?
– Yes. Right click the icon you start the game with, go into Properties and put ” -w” (without the quotations, and the space is important) after the second quotation at the end of the line next to ‘Target:’, then click Apply or OK. If you want it to spread out nicely on your screen, download and use a little tool app called Fullscreenizer.
#4 Why do your game folders look different to mine?
– I have The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection and the expansion pack folders are often grouped together (for whatever reason). I also used to have the game installed from the discs, so I know what that looks like, and I can confirm the content of these folders is the exact same so it’s nothing to worry about, as long as you figure out which folder you need to go into to edit the file.
#5 So… what do you have against poor Graphics Rules Maker?
– I think it’s a great tool and I appreciate it. However, I ask of you, if you decide to use GRM, read the instructions very carefully. I personally found it easier and safer to edit the file myself (I have tried both ways). This is just the way that worked for me and that I wanted to (and managed to) present and recommend. If you want to do it differently, you do you. Just be smart.
#5 Where did you get your Sims 2 Ultimate Collection, again?
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fVf0aqcDUM
Join me on…
✦ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pixuou
✦ Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/pixuou
✦ Tumblr: https://pixuou.tumblr.com/
✦ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixuou/
…if you want to.
Like my videos? Help me make them better! Buy me a coffee or support me monthly → https://ko-fi.com/pixuou
Thanks for watching and happy simming!
(Thumbnail changed June 2021)
how to repair windows 10
hi everyone, thanks for watching my video, i hope you found at least some of it useful! however, i only went over some basics and it's entirely possible that you still experience technical issues with your game (crashing, freezing, glitching, not starting etc) because sadly some systems and graphics cards are more problematic than others. if you have a problem or a question, PLEASE CHECK OUT THE VIDEO DESCRIPTION where i tried to gather all useful info on what to do when you have an issue i personally can't give you advice on. i'm always happy to help but sometimes i simply do not know your answer, or i don't see your comment in time! thank you and good luck, don't give up!
Thank you for helping me code the graphics in sims 2! My game looks super now. I had no idea that was possible.
Muchísimas gracias!
thx miss
THANKS A LOT!! THIS IS VERY USEFUL
i get 0 saves, my sims won't save, places i build won't save (lot placements save though) but i cant save at all no houses/ no buildings/ sims… nothing saves.
also the resolution thing didn't work, and same with the (enumerateMultisampleLevels) that as well didn't work. also i get this horrendous screen flickering where my screen flickers black constantly.
i found/ watched this video from looking up (sims 2 screen flickering fix)
THANK YOU SOO SO SO MUCH YOU DO NOT KNOW THIS HELPSSSSSSSSS
Mine is 1366×768 ;((
Still relevant in 2024. Thanks!
Thank you very, very much, Pixuou! This really is a model tutorial, many a YouTuber could take a lesson!
The activation of the smooth edges-function worked perfectly well for me.
But unfortunately, the resolution issue still exists. 🙁 I followed your instructions to the letter, but I still only have the option '320×220' within the game's graphics settings. Where could I have gone wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated! I love The Sims 2 and forever will!
I just got the game for a big dose of Nostalgia, thank you so much for your tips, especially resolution and shadows 🙏 thank you 🙌✨
The other day I uninstalled Sims 2 because not a single tutorial helped me to set the resolution and now I came across your tutorial…THANK you so much!!! 🤍🤍
TYSM!!!! ♥
You saved my entire experience playing this game, thank u so muchhhh
Hello, just to say i love you! I couldn't play it on my new computer so im so happy! (for those wondering i did it in april 2024) 🙂
I never coment on videos but omg this worked for me inmediatly
Thanks it worked! U are awesome
thanks you so much
Thanku so much!!!!
Muchas gracias señorita! Me salvo la vida! Gran video! Saludos!
Thank you sooo much!! <3 Wow I've just realised that playing in 2024 means playing on TS2's 20th anniversary! Woah I'm getting old haha
thank you so much!!! you are the best 🥹🥹🥹
It works!!! Explanation level infinity
99% a console gamer and Sims 2 is all I ever played on my old PCs for so tysm for posting this you're a lifesaver tyyyyyyy
This is amazing thank you
I changed the resolution to my sims 2 ultimate collection game but I still only have the option 800×600 in my game???
This was so usefull, thank you sm😭
Thx for shadow mod
Thank you for the video 🙂 I am having trouble finding the folder, I looked in my OS, in all the documents and everywhere in the folder, but I cannot find the same thing that you are looking at. Is there somewhere else I need to look? Maybe I downloaded the files wrong? But when I run the game it works smoothly… would appreciate some help
for anyone that still gets it crashing, use DXVK, use the d3d9 dll and put it with the ep9 exe and it should work no problem
I'm having an odd issue, and maybe its user error, but I followed the steps to run my sims 2 ultimate collection in windowed mode, all the way up to the smooth edge scrolling. The edge scrolling unlock worked for me, but changing the screen resolution to the new settings did not. It still only has the 640×480 as the only option for screen size. Is it because im running this in windowed mode? I have a feeling another setting is overriding the one I'm trying to edit. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated, this small screen is just unbearable!
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Mine was also a MR DJ download so that's where mine was as per @Chicken7471
thank you <3 perfect vid
LIFESAVER THANKYOU!!!!
Everything still working, thank you so much!