Quote Originally Posted by thirdxstrike
Win XP Home Edition...eMachines computer...40 GB hard drive...2.5 GHz processor...There're 4 user accounts on here, and no guest account is active...Er, what else?

{double post, sorry}
I'd be more keen on your video card. Does it have an onboard graphics solution? If so, then I'd guess that is why it starts off working fine and then starts playing slowly. Onboard graphics use system ram to run a game. Plus the game itself uses system ram.

Couple of other questions, is the processor a celeron or pentium?

Have you defragged the hard disk lately?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...october08.mspx

Take a look at that article if you are unsure of the process.

Another MS website detailing the process;

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;314848

But honestly, I think it is your graphics card or lack of:

Maxis has released information on the system requirements for "The Sims 2." If you have a T&L (info about what T&L is below) capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM (such as nvidia GeForce 2 or better or ATI Radeon 7000 or better) then you need at least:

* 800 MHz processor
* 256 MB RAM if Windows XP
* 128 MB RAM if Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000
* At least 3.5 gigs of free hard drive space

If you have a non-T&L capable video card (such as TNT2, Intel, or Rage for example) then you need at least:

* 2.0 GHz processor
* 256 MB RAM if Windows XP
* 128 MB RAM if Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000
* At least 3.5 gigs of free hard drive space

Recommened video cards (and the more video memory the better):

* ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
* Nvidia Geforce 4
* Visit "The Sims 2" official website for a more detailed list.


They recommend an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro to run this game. IF you are using onboard graphics *which emachines uses to minimize cost, then I recommend purchasing a new video graphics unit.

If you tell us the model number of your emachines, we may be able to find a match for you. Should be Like TIXXXX or something like that.

The cheapest I found for a 9800 PRO 256BIT card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814102477R

Good ol newegg. At 99.00 it will really put the pep in the step of your computing! Especially with Sims 2!