I KNOW there's a solution to this because I was in the same situ 4 years ago! I've just installed Sims 2 on my new laptop and the only screen size option is 800x600, and the graphics are looking pretty dodgy despite being on the highest settings. What do I do please?

Which version of the game do you have? (I think the Legacy had some of this fixed, hence the asking).

Two tutorial versions, depending on what you prefer (video or written) - they also help fix the graphics.
https://simscommunity.info/2016/04/...es-sim-shadows/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yc-3rcM9oI

Thanks for the response simmer22! The Ultimate Collection, from 100 years ago when they were giving it away for free. I'll have a look at your links now.

The Youtube video seemed really helpful. Weirdly setting the game to the same resolution as my screen wasn't the best choice, but I think I've found one that works ok. I still have the 'hay' texture though. I remember there was a solution to that too? I'll give it a Google, but if you know the answer please do share!

If you have a very large screen resolution, the icons get smaller when you make the game match the screen. I think CH had some fixes for that, but can't remember where. The files keep floating around.

(Personally, I'm on a laptop, so I don't need the full 4K my screen came with. I just reduced the resolution on my screen to more match the game, and play windowed with the game roughly matching the screen size. My game didn't want to play nice with fullscreen or 4K and I didn't feel like messing more with it).

Oh Dash It!! So graphics are looking good, screen resolution is ok, but I can't load households! I'm getting 'Direct3D returned an error: D3DERR_INVALIDCALL! The application will now terminate.'

Check if your drivers are up to date (spesifically the graphics driver if you have a newer Nvidia/Radeon card). Occasionally, a new driver can be the issue (f Windows got a chance to mess with driver installing behinc your back), so rolling back to an older version can fix things.

Deleting userprops.xml can also fix it.

If that doesn't help, windowed mode can sometimes get around the issue (game and screen resolution need to closely match).

Also make sure you've installed the 4GB patch.

Thank you for your support simmer22! None of the above worked for me. :-( Google came up with a post on another site where a player had the same issue. Apparently what worked for them was downloading 'DXVK'. I've never heard of that, but the internet is turning this one up?

https://github.com/doitsujin/dxvk/releases

I can't see any information on what to install into where. Any ideas?