Screen minimizes when running the Sims

[microchick]

When trying to play the Sims on my pc, once i have clicked the main 'play' button the video introduction usually starts (used to work on my old pc), but now only a black screen appears and this minimizes and occasionally restores itself (still a black screen). I'm using a Geforce 3ti graphics card, and I have the latest Direct X, Graphics card and monitor drivers. Help!!? Do I really have to resort to setting it up on my old pc again and use both??

[redwench]

do you have norton installed? if so, try updating it first. if that doesnt work, uninstall it.

[psd#1]

Did you try and check out the FAQ section @ maxis.com?

Others might have encountered similar issues and might have documented it on the site

-pSd#1

[microchick]

Updated Norton, and tried uninstalling it but still no success. Tried all the suggestions on the Maxis web site too, including adding 'skip_intro' to the shortcut. Nothing works!

[psd#1]

Are you using XP? Did you mess with the compatibility modes?

-pSd#1

[microchick]

Yes I am using XP, what compatibility modes? Haven't changed them as far as I know.

[microchick]

Well I never, I think I've fixed it! typed -w after the shortcut and it seems to work!!! It runs in a much smaller window and you can't maximize it mind you but its better than nothing. Anyone think of any reasons why it won't run full screen??

[psd#1]

Well I'm surprised that a -w fixed your problem, i'd like to know why it worked if anyone could explain

-pSd#1

[redwench]

when i googled earlier, as is probably obvious, the norton software seems to be at least one cause of it. although there may be others, that one seems to be very common. do some more googling on your own, a search feature is located at the bottom of this page ;)

[microchick]

Very strange, I can get it to run full screen now, but only if I run the shortcut with -w first, close it, then run it the normal way from the Start menu. When running full screen, if I accidentally press the Windows key on the keyboard, it minimizes it will not maximize again, only showing a black screen and minimizing again!! I have a strange computer...