Sims 3 won't start

[crinrict]

One more question: Are you trying base game only or do you have any expansions ?

[WootCandy]

@Frejaa1

Hi.

Can you test by doing this:

Download one of these two programs:

GPUz = http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

Open Hardware Monitor = http://openhardwaremonitor.org/

Unzip and run the EXE inside.

What I want to find out is what your computer is using for a GPU right now.

In OWM, collapse all the drop downs but the LOAD % for each GPU in your system (one is 8610G the other is 8670m)

Same difference in GPUz but it's a drop down at the bottom.

Now open Sims 2 (or some other working game).  Load up a game for a few seconds.

Minimize and check the program.

Which one is showing a load %??

---

We don't think your GPU section of the DXDiag seems quite right.

I do not think your GPU drivers are up to date either.

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download

I'm not sure if just updating them is going to fix the problem (assuming the above result comes back as expected) but we can get you some details on how to (hopefully) get Switchable Graphics to work correctly.

[Frejaa1]

I have all the other packs but Pets - I think.

I did not completely understand how to do that, I'm sorry.

[WootCandy]

Try just updating your drivers here:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download

Once installed, open the Control Panel that comes with it and go to Advanced View.  Look for something called "Switchable Graphics" or "Hybrid Graphics".  We want to force the 8670m to do to the work for Sims3.exe

[Frejaa1]

I can't find a control panel - I should just download the one that detects and updates drivers, right?

[WootCandy]

Yeah that should work, the auto-detect.

Once it is installed there should be something called Catalyst Control Center.  It will likely be at the bottom right of your taskbar.  You can also probably RightClick on your desktop and bring it up that way.

[Frejaa1]

Then I must have downloaded the wrong one, let me get the right one. The one I have, there's no control panel.

[WootCandy]

If you right click on your desktop, there is no option for some sort of AMD settings?

Like this:

[Frejaa1]

No, there is not. I may have downloaded the wrong one.

[Frejaa1]

It's working now - finally! Thank you to everyone who tried to help - and helped.