D: Display Driver Error.

[Soba]

Apparently there's something wrong with my 'display driver'. After the message below is displayed, another message pops up and shuts down my game. Also, my screen resolution is moved to something beyond 800x600. [I'm talking like 500x200 or whatnot].

Originally Posted by Error

The ialmrnt5 display driver has stopped working normally. Save your work and reboot the system to restore full display functionality. The next time you reboot the machine a dialog will be displayed giving you a chance to upload data about this failure to Microsoft.

[I currently have The Sims 2, University, and Open For Business installed]
I've had the error before I began downloading anything, and it comes randomly.

Originally Posted by Soba

Apparently there's something wrong with my 'display driver'. After the message below is displayed, another message pops up and shuts down my game. Also, my screen resolution is moved to something beyond 800x600. [I'm talking like 500x200 or whatnot].

[I currently have The Sims 2, University, and Open For Business installed]
I've had the error before I began downloading anything, and it comes randomly.

Hmmm, I've had almost the same problem as you while playing sims. It said somethings like this, in a black screen, with the text bouncing from corner to corner, slowly.

Could not find Direct3D Drive

And this would only happen randomly too.....but its only happened when my sims are going to a community lot. Well I havn't seen that screen anymore ever since I've been doing this to my Sims2 game.......Open the Task Manger go to the processes tab, then close out of every program in yor name(EXEPT EXPLORER.EXE & taskmgr.exe) & shut down any virus software that is running (they tend to mess with gameplay). Then after all of this your game might run properly with no messages like that & you will see an improvment of game speed/performance.

[Soba]

<3 Thanks.

But will those programs start back up after I'm through? [I'm not sure what any of them do, but I'm sure it's for the benefit of the computer]

[~Felly~]

Actually, I think it mentioned in the manual the same exact thing that Kio said, so try checking your instruction manual included with one of the three games. However, I think you might have to restart your computer to get the programs back up...

Yeah, after your done playing Sims2 & quit out of it, you will need to restart your computer.

Also Soba, closing the programs in your name in the task manager will not harm or mess up your computer in anyway, if you close out of a program that says SYSTEM, LOCAL SERVICE, NETWORK SERVICE, ect.....your computer will start acting weird & will restart, & even if you close out of one of the programs that you are not suppose to close, there will be no permanent damage.

[Cid Highwind]

Still it's not a good idea to close virus scans and firewalls just to play a game

Did you full update your Graphic card driver? do you have the latest Direct X?
These can cause the problem you're having.

But if the solution Kio-oh-ki has given you works out if you've updated everything, then that's great too.

[Soba]

All right, since I didn't have internet when I first got this comp, I wasn't able to 'update' or anything of the sort.

I used to get messages asking me to update, but after my dad took a hold of the comp, the messages stopped coming.
I'm not sure if he updated my directx or graphic card driver, so how do I check?
XD I already know better than to ask him if he did.

And I'll give the task manager a shot. <33

[Cid Highwind]

The latest Direct X is Direct X 9.0c (if im not mistaken)
Can be downloaded here:
http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/directx.html

For the latest Graphic Driver, it depends on your Graphic Card.
To check what graphic card you have, go to your desktop, right click and go to properties.
Then go to Settings.
should show this:
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5969/dtpropgy1.jpg
As shown in the picture, it shows what graphic card you're using under "Display:"