There is a known compatibility issue with Intel 965 chipsets and The Sims 3. Though you might be able to run The Sims 3 on a machine with an Intel 965 chipset, this chipset is not officially supported.

The solution found below, which involves updating your drivers, has been reported to fix compatibility issues on a majority of cases. For more information, take a look at these Intel articles about the 965 chipset.

[Click here for Windows Vista][Click here for Windows XP]

Recommended solutions

Windows Vista

1. First, uninstall your old drivers.
2. Click on the Start menu on your Windows Taskbar.
3. Click on Control Panel
4. Depending on your setup, Control Panel might be located under Settings.
5. Click on Device Manager.
6. Click on Display Adapter.
7. Right-click on Mobile Intel (R) 965 Express
8. Select Properties.
9. Click on Uninstall.
10. Check the following option: Delete the driver software for this device.
11. If you are prompted, select the Auto install default drivers option, so you may automatically receive driver updates in the future.
12. Now, it's time to download the latest drivers.
13. Use this tool to help you determine which graphics card and version number you have.
14. Make a note of which graphics card and version you have, and set it aside.
15. After you have determined which graphics card and version you have, you can download the latest drivers at this address.
16. In the search field, type in the graphics card and version you determined you had in Step 11.
17. Locate the driver you just downloaded, and install it by following the on-screen instructions.
18. Restart your computer.


Windows XP

1. First, you will have to uninstall your old drivers.
2. Click on the Start menu on your Windows Taskbar.
3. Click on Control Panel
4. Depending on your setup, Control Panel might be located under Settings.
5. Click on the System icon.
6. If you do not see the System icon, click on the Switch to Classic View option on the upper left-hand corner of the Control Panel window.
7. Click on the Hardware tab.
8. Click on Device Manager.
9. Click on Display Adapter.
10. Right-click on Mobile Intel (R) 965 Express
11. Select Properties.
12. Click on Uninstall.
13. Check the following option: Delete the driver software for this device.
14. If you are prompted, select the Auto install default drivers option, so you may automatically receive driver updates in the future.
15. Now, it's time to download the latest drivers.
16. Use this tool to help you determine which graphics card and version number you have.
17. Make a note of which graphics card and version you have, and set it aside.
18. After you have determined which graphics card and version you have, you can download the latest drivers at this address.
19. In the search field, type in the graphics card and version you determined you had in Step 11.
20. Locate the driver you just downloaded, and install it by following the on-screen instructions.
21. Restart your computer.