I went in to look, as I hadn't actually used the game's picture capture since installing FT (I use a screen capture program instead. Why be stuck with their crappy low res pics?) but everything is fine on my 3850 and the newest drivers.

Since you're getting multiples of the same shot, I'm thinking it may be a game issue. So odd, though.

AMD is fine- it's what I have, in fact.  Intel's top processors ARE faster than AMD's top processors, but they are also more expensive. At anything other than the top price points, you get a faster processor for your money if you go with AMD.

Yes, that would work. Don't worry, you won't blow up the game. I found out when I mistyped something to avoid the launcher, it won't let you point it at someplace that doesn't exist. 

The pentium D's were simply replaced by the Duos. They weren't bad,exactly, the Duo's are just newer technology and better.  Your problem is unlikely to be a processor problem.

  Forgot that whole "select properties" step. LOL

Not stupid.  It's not a regular option.

Right click on the shortcut for the game, and in the Target box, after the final quotation mark,  add a space and then -w

Yay, that's good news! I wanted to be able to see the in-game L&P for TS3 and Spore. Without installing FT on my laptop, which would work, but not well. I can wait for the monthly driver update.

Well, I dug out the BV L&P guide, and it doesn't mention it one way or another, so maybe I just never noticed it before. I'm silly like that sometimes.

Oh yeah, I'm definitely getting that freeze whenever anyone comes and goes. It's VERY annoying. Especially since right now I have 3 Sims that come home from work at the same time, and it freezes before the salary pop up for each one of them separately! Grrrr!

My Sims are getting out of the pool normally.

If you can use "Macro", you have a hack. Macrotastics is one. Make sure it's the latest version- Pescado updates constantly after new expansions are released. You also might want to run Clean Installer to see what other hacks you have.

Anyway, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't it used to be that you didn't get newspaper deliveries on (owned) vacation lots? I'm getting paper and magazine deliveries, which is kinda annoying. The mailman is always walking past, but then kind of vibrates before moving on- he doesn't actually leave any mail, just clutters up the sidewalk for awhile.The maid I hired is also the exact same one they have at home- mohawk and all. 

Jelendra. I've noticed that the Sims don't get the message at the same time, even CAS-ones who were all created together. Mine seem to be triggered by filling a want around that time.

Latest drivers don't fix it. I will have to attempt the fix in Peasantry! I should look in there more often

No weirdness in my Storytelling folder with this card. In fact, it fixed weirdness I had been having with pictures sometimes. When I opened up my machine to do the upgrades, there was a capacitor from the card sitting in the bottom of the case.  So my reason is unlikely to be yours.

You have new RAM, a new card, and a new PSU. You also have a case and I'm assuming working drives. All you need is a new mobo and processor, assuming the new RAM is DDR2 and a modern speed. If not, I hope it's returnable/exchangeable. You're most of the way to a new PC right there. I redid mine about a month ago, and it was still cheaper to buy parts and reuse what I had than to buy a cheap pre-built PC.  Plus, then I wasn't stuck with Vista. 

Then it's unlikely this is the problem. Have you tried the card in another machine?

Unfortunately, if other cards are doing it too, it's looking like it may be something went wrong with the motherboard. I'd guess static electricity when you were working inside. 

The question is, DID you do that before you shut the computer off to change the power supply?

Did you fiddle with the refresh rate? Some monitors can't display high resolutions at a high refresh rate. I found that out when my computer did what yours is doing.

I love my new 3850 card. However, be warned that there's a bug in TS2 that prevents the 2xxx and 3xxx cards from showing the damn video games and shows/movies on the TV and computer screens, in game. Instead, they go black. I didn't know about it until I'd uninstalled/reinstalled trying to fix it. 

The pop ups for the magazines have stopped for me, thankfully, (nohobbyspam, I'm assuming  ) but if I click on the phone, I can subscribe. Everyone is also getting all their club memberships at 5 points, as they are supposed to. The membership card IS the secret lot invite. Kids just sometimes get them before that, from chance cards when they are at school.

I have lots of bees from bug hunting, but so far (knock wood) all my hikes have ended with positive things.

The guy with the perk where he's supposed to have Moar Luck at chance cards definitely has the worst luck, so I've broken out the chance card tester.  I play with testing cheats on, anyway, but man, I'm getting tired of constantly adjusting their needs. Slide fun down to keep them blogging/watching movies/etc, slide hygeine and energy UP constantly. Bah!

You find a copy of XP and you install it.

I noticed the fast drops the first time I played, before I put in any hacks at all. It's the game, not hacks.

She said she didn't have BV though. 

Was it the phone hack that was causing it maybe? Or hmmm... visitor controller? I know that it was one I use, which narrows it down some.

It came with FT

The higher the enthusiasm, the faster it drops. L&P Guide says Levels 1-4 lose at a rate of 1 (point, magnitude, something?) an hour levels 5-9 lose 2/hour, and level 10 loses 5/hour.  I actually thought it would be harder to maintain level 10 than it is, though.

Yes, autonomous congratulations for nothing was new with BV. Harmless, but slightly annoying.

My theory behind the need decay was that they've upped the rate to balance out the things that are supposed to slow it down. Like how stores will raise prices and then put things "on sale" BUT, having the bonuses borked entirely would explain how my Fortune Sims (different lots, even), who are supposed to have MOAR LUCK at the chance cards, are answering them wrong every single freaking time.  I'm about to break out the chance card tester and set it to always positive. The first one got the same one 3 days in a row, losing each time, before I started to hit ignore, and now it's happening on the new Sim too.

I think some of these annoyances are Eaxis' idiotic way of handling our complaints.  Complain that Sims get obsessed with some things (like the hot tub and poker table) and won't move from the spot until they are in needs failure (if then for visitors)? So now we have Sims with ADHD that drop their actions left and right the second any of their needs get the slightest tinge of yellow.  Complain that they make food too much? Now they won't make it autonomously.  Heck, and I had a toddler badly in need of a bath, and didn't realize because I'm so used to cancelling out the bath option 100 times a session, but no one tried to bathe him autonomously.  I think we're getting worse than incompetence with this EP- it's incompetence trying to help us.  "Dear EA, Please keep on making the game as crappy as you have before, and we'll let Pes take care of the annoyances. Don't try to help!!!!111 Kthnxbai"

Try different video drivers. Either newer or older, depending on what you have.

I think just with doors unlocked. I always keep mine locked anyway, since I've had random strangers walk in during the middle of the night and raid the fridge, etc. going back to the base game. Darren Dreamer was the worst offender. Plus, I hate when family members do it too. 

  Be Careful what you wish for. I think she got the "backfired" result they talked about in the chat- the backfires don't seem to be mentioned in the L&P Guide.