130 replies to this topic

[Incessantly]

So, what would be the advantage to boosting up the file limit? My game runs relatively fine (a little bit of iffyness), but I want to make it... awesomer. For lack of a better word.
I want to make my game run better, but I also want very much to go through and compress the size of the files themselves such as the Compressorizer does, I just don't have a good way to put all the files on my PC and then transfer them back to my Mac without creating hair puddles.

[luws]

The reason for raising the file limit is because as a Mac player, you can only have so many files loaded at once, and if you go beyond that number then the game will crash. The *limit* is somewhere around 12,000. That includes everything the OS and any other app open, is running.

The game (TS2), for some ill-thought out reason, loads everything at the same time, instead of swapping files as needed as is the case with most apps. (I'm simplifying here because I don't know the technical terminology), soooo when you have about 10,000 downloads, you suddenly have TOO MANY files for the computer to handle and so the game will crash. And crash.

Raising the limit allows you to have more downloads, which for many simmers is crucial. :cool:

Now if you want better game performance, then to achieve THAT, you need more RAM, as much as you can afford AND the best video card your Mac can handle. Those two things will help the game run at it's peak. There was a thread on here a while ago that discussed using the Activity Monitor to see how much of your computer's resources the game was using... it was very surprising... you could do a search and read that if you're interested.

Whew. Hope that wasn't too technical... and that it answers your question!:lol:

[Incessantly]

That does, thank you.
I should bookmark this thread incase I need it.

Although, I probably need more RAM and a new graphics card if I'm having trouble, since I'm only around 6,000 downloads and I'm trying to moderate them so they don't get that much higher.
I'll go around and look for the other thread.
Do you have a link? That would make it easier to find, but I'll look anyways when I get a moment.

I have one last question.
My dad is the computer guy in the house that has the magical hand over the equipment we use (which is why I'm playing sims on a Mac, because of him I've basically grown up on them), and I talked to him about the RAM/graphics issue and he's also interested in swapping out our CPU like he does every once in a while (upgrading is probably a better term...). Right now we have a... PowerPC I think, and he wants to change it to the Intel-based Mac... although my MacBook is Intel-based and runs the Sims 2 horribly (may just be the graphics card).

Do you know if this is an issue with the different types of Macs or will my game run fine if I have the proper graphics card?

[luws]

The Sims2 will run well on both a PowerPC or an Intel Mac as long as the computer meets the specs. And, exceeding the specs is better. :D Naturally, the more powerful the machine, the better the game will run. MacBooks aren't really made for gaming, and since TS2 is a total resource hog, it's not surprising that it doesn't run well on you MB. The game does run well on MacBook Pros though.

Here is a link to that other thread. It's two years old!! :o How time flies.:D

ETA: BTW, the graphics in a macbook is a chipset, and I don't believe those can be upgraded.

[LittleTempest]

I just wanted to come by and say thanks to Luws, I did the max files via Terminal, because I'm still afraid I will do something wrong and my MBP explodes... I already did two spelling mistakes in Terminal :eek: Anyway, the file limits are now considerably higher (I used 22000 and 20000) and I hope I can finally add all the CC back into my game that wasn't rated "essential" before! So Thank YOU !! :wub:
-Clarina-

[Incessantly]

Wait, so you can do this in Terminal? Which is included in the computer itself, right?
I do remember using it to disable dashboard, so I believe it is... how can you use it to increase the number of your files? Because I'm afraid of hitting my limit and I've gone way too far with downloading (farther than I meant to go...)!

[luws]

Little Tempest, you're very welcome. It's nice of you to take the time to say thanks and I'm glad it's working for you.:)

Incessantly, making the changes directly in Terminal is temporary. Anytime you restart the computer you will need to re-enter the info. The particulars for this method can be found in this post.

[seelindarun]

The method using the rc.local file can also be done on the terminal -- well, the terminal and textedit. :P I think some people used OnyX or Pacifist to view hidden files and set permissions on the rc.local file, but I did all of it on the terminal.

[luws]

:lol: Now, if you so desire, you can go on an incredible downloading spree!

But since you play on a Macbook, I wouldn't recommend overloading your game. ;)