These are the basics of setting up and fixing The Sims 2's graphics so that it runs well and smoothly on a modern Windows system. Changing the resolution, enabling smooth edges, fixing shadows, and installing the 4GB anti-crashing patch!
Again, these are the BASICS that almost everyone who plays this game will have to deal with! If you have any other technical issues, please read the FAQ below.

Text contribution to improving the graphics: https://simscommunity.info/2016/04/27/the-sims-2-setting-up-the-resolution-windowed-mode-smooth-edges-sim-shadows/

Links from the video:
Nopke's Sim Shadow Fix: https://modthesims.info/download.php?t569585
4GB patch: https://ntcore.com/?page_id371
Get WinRAR: https://www.win-rar.com/start.html?&L0

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

#1 I installed the 4GB patch but I'm still having technical issues (crashes, freezes, boot errors, glitches).
– Unfortunately, this old game can react differently on different systems and graphics cards. There can be many different reasons why your game still doesn't work. But don't worry, there is a solution for everything. I recommend you to search this wiki, you will most likely find your answers there: https://www.reddit.com/r/sims2help/wiki/technical-support and if not, you can post your question in the subreddit, google your problem or watch other YouTube videos about it. I'm sure your solution is already somewhere on the internet. Also, you can make the game detect your graphics card this way if it doesn't happen automatically: http://www.leefish.nl/mybb/showthread.php?tid6882
(You can also use Graphics Rules Maker to detect your graphics card. This may be easier. In this case, read all instructions carefully.)

#2 The Shadow Fix mod doesn't work for me, I still get black boxes under my Sims.
– I have no idea what the possible problem is if you have the mod installed correctly, maybe you can try selecting a different version of the mod under Mod The Sims. Ultimately, to get rid of the boxes, you can also just turn sim shadows off entirely using the cheat /"boolprop simshadows false/" (I believe you should be able to change this in the graphics rules file as well, but I haven't tried it, so it's just an idea to use with caution). If you decide to use the cheat, you can apply it permanently like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v0RlfyWRiN2c&t4s

#3 Can I play The Sims 2 in windowed mode?
– Yes. Right click on the icon you use to launch the game, go to Properties and add /" -w/" (without quotes, and the space is important) after the second quote at the end of the line next to "Target:" and then click Apply or OK. If you want it to spread nicely on your screen, download and use a small tool app called Fullscreenizer.

#4 Why do your games folders look different than mine?
– I have The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection and the folders with the expansion packs are often grouped together (for whatever reason). I used to install the game from the CDs too so I know what that looks like and I can confirm that the contents of those folders are exactly the same so there's nothing to worry about as long as you figure out which folder you need to go to to edit the file.

#5 So… what do you have against the bad Graphics Rules Maker?
– I think it's a great tool and I appreciate it. However, I ask you to read the instructions very carefully if you decide to use GRM. Personally, I found it easier and safer to edit the file myself (I tried both ways). This is simply the method that worked for me and that I wanted (and could) to present and recommend. If you want to do it differently, do so. Just be smart.

#5 Where did you get your Sims 2 Ultimate Collection again?
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v2fVf0aqcDUM

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