Reposting Step by Step Instructions for those with the dreaded 'Black Screen' Issue

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 06/26/09 05:09 PM

Step by step instructions to correct the 'black screen' problem with the ATI Radeon 9600 video card with Sims 3 and/or the 'gray screen' problem when reloading Sims 2.

To help find out if this is your problem:
Click Start
Click Run
Type Dxdiag
Once the Dxdiag come up..Click Display
Click the box that says..TestDirect3D
You must PASS all three tests or you can not play Sims 3 or Sims 2
If you FAIL any of the three tests...It is simply because the Radeon 9600 video card will not support the...NEW...9.3 ATI Cataylst Control Center.

To fix the 'black screen' problem for Sims 3 or the 'grey screen' problem when you try to reload Sims 2:
Put your original Radeon ATI driver disc in the drive
Click install drivers: (If you have not yet uninstalled the 'Cataylst Control Center' a message will pop up saying that the 'Cataylst Control Center' does not support your video card.')
X out the message
Just let the disc reinstall the original drivers
Once the drivers are reinstalled from your original Radeon video disc, then go to 'add and remove programs' and uninstall the 'Cataylst Control Center'. While your in 'add and remove programs'...note that you now have the 'Control Panel' on your list of programs. MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE IT THERE...this is the panel you just installed from your original video driver disc and you need it.

Since the 'Catalyst Control Center' does not completely uninstall using 'add and remove' programs' , after you uninstall the "Catalyst Control Center' Make sure you do the following to completely have it uninstalled from your computer:
Click My Computer
Click C:/
Click ATI
Click Support Folder
You should have 2 folders there
One will be: 9_3_xp_32_ccc_dd ---- Delete this one...it is the "Catalyst Control Center"
The drivers you just reinstalled will be: 9_3_xp32_dd ---- leave this one there.

To find the Control Panel you just installed:
Right click your desk top
Click Properties
Click Settings
Click Advanced
(If you notice you have a lot of new little red ATI tabs...this is the 'Control Panel' instead of the 'Cataylst Control Center)
Click the 3D tab
Click the Direct 3D button

Once done....your off to Simming again....Have fun.

So far that I know, only two of us have tried this, and it does work.
Everyone updated their video cards in anticipation of Sims 3 coming out. Had we only updated the video drivers and not the NEW 9.3 Catalyst Control Center 'full package' we would have been alright. ATI does allow you to update the drivers only. They no longer support the 'Control Panel", but our video cards needs it to find the settings. They are the same settings you get from the 'Catalyst Control Center'....it's just that the 'Center' looks nicer.

Perhaps EA can now recreate this problem so others can get help with this issue.
Thank you for hearing me out...hope this will help alot of people with this 'black screen' problem.

Please 'bump' this so others have a chance to read it and fix the problem.
Thanks
Rainb345

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 06/26/09 05:17 PM

Hi!
Did you try to update your drivers again after installing the ones from the CD? I haven't tried it yet. I'm afraid it will mess up my computer again.
And do you maybe know which folder do I need to delete from ATI folder? I posted the whole question on the old forum.
Thanks!

vanilija wrote: Hi!
Did you try to update your drivers again after installing the ones from the CD? I haven't tried it yet. I'm afraid it will mess up my computer again.
And do you maybe know which folder do I need to delete from ATI folder? I posted the whole question on the old forum.
Thanks!

I posted the step by step instructions in my blog because these posted get lost in the maze of posts on this site.
Just go to my blog...I made it as simple as possible.
As for updating your drivers...ATI has not really done an update on our drivers for years. Basically, all they have done is update the 'Catalyst Control Center'.

If you want to though. When you get to the ATI site...make sure you only update for the ADM drivers only. There is a download for just the video drivers alone. I, however, did not do it because if you look at the properties...it was last updated back in 2004 for the drivers only.

Haven't got my disc yet..so I'm in the dark about Sims 3 yet. My Sims 2 is playing great..just got them all reloaded. Took a while..I have all expansions and stuff packs. Left you a message on the Sims 2 site.
Bye...Rainb345

Hi!
Yes, I saw your instructions and I already did everything you said. The game (TS2) works fine. Just I didn't find that folder that needs to be deleted. I guess it's called different in my PC because I also downloaded some other drivers before.
I've already downloaded the drivers without the CCC but I didn't try to install them yet. Maybe there's no need to install because they date from 2004.
I will let you know if I find something out. Keep me posted.
Bye.

vanilija wrote: Hi!
Did you try to update your drivers again after installing the ones from the CD? I haven't tried it yet. I'm afraid it will mess up my computer again.
And do you maybe know which folder do I need to delete from ATI folder? I posted the whole question on the old forum.
Thanks!

I put these step by step instructions in my blog.
Just go there and it tells you which folder to delete and how to get to it.
I also sent these instructions to support, so I hope they post it for others.

I will post as soon as I get my Sims 3 disc back.

Rainb345

Hi!

Is this thread with regards to the dark screen. Meaning u can't see the darn game, as everything is dark???

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 06/28/09 01:54 PM

Yes...BrookeSki

If you have an ATI Radeon 9600 and are getting a black screen.

I posted these Step by step instructions in my blog as well in case this message gets lost in the forum.

Rainb345

hi, i did all of the run thing and my computer passed all the 3d tests, does this mean i still have to do the other parts of your insrtuctions?

Sophie92 wrote:hi, i did all of the run thing and my computer passed all the 3d tests, does this mean i still have to do the other parts of your insrtuctions?

Sorry this is so late: I just got notice that my Sims 3 is on the way.
As for your question...If your still getting the 'black screen' and have an ATI Radeon 9600...I would say yes. That's entirely up to you. I only know that taking out the Catalyst Control Center fixed my problem.

I also have these instructions posted in my blog if this gets lost in the forum.

Rainb345

"Bump"