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I am trying to get back into full tilt poker but it tells me that my name is already taken. I have had the same username for over ten years!

Troubleshooting User Name Problems

Some of the common reasons behind the message “user name taken” are simply human error due to computer use. It is quite common to save our data and to click on the data that appears below our typing to fill in user names, passwords, etc. However, sometimes this information isn’t always correct due to mistyped words or phrases. Take the time to type your user name in full and see if that helps.

Also, check to make sure that you are using upper case letters if that is what should be used. You also need to check that your password is correctly spelled with spaces, numbers, and upper or lower case as needed.

Troubleshooting User Name Problems: Clear Temporary Cache

It is possible that your computer is just experiencing a glitch, so clear the temporary cache, cookies, stored passwords, and browser history on your web browser. You can generally access this on the section beneath the “Tools” option of the browser.

Troubleshooting User Name Problems: Account Expiration Possibility

How long has it been since you last used this account? Some websites link expiration limits to their accounts. If you have exceeded the limit for yours, then you need to reapply for an account and you will have to select a new user name since the one that you want to use is already taken.

Troubleshooting User Name Problems: Miscellaneous

Is it possible that you are trying to sign in when you have already done so? Have you selected the option to click “Forgot Password?” If it has been a while since you last played, is it possible that you are typing upper case when you need lower case or vice versa? Have you switched browsers? If you have, is the game’s website compatible with the new browser that you are using? Try to log in on a different time of the day since it is possible that the website is experiencing difficulties and creating the user name problem for you.

Customer Service Option at Full Tilt Poker

If you are having an issue with your password/username at Full Tilt Poker, you can contact the customer service department at Full Tilt Poker directly. This particular department deals with issues related to username/password use. Use the following email: password@fulltiltpoker.com.

I noticed that you said that Sims 3 won’t work if you are trying to run it on a PowerPC. What, if anything, can I do if I have a PowerPC Mac?

Sims 3 System Requirements for Mac

Unfortunately, there’s not much that you can do. The Sims 3, like all computer programs, has been designed to work with computers that meet specific system requirements. In the case of the Macintosh operating system, the following system requirements must be met in order for the game to work: 

• Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5.7 (or above) Leopard
• Memory: 2 GB RAM
• Free Disk Space: 6.1 GB (plus 1 additional GB for saved games and custom content)
• Processor: Intel Core Duo Processor
• Graphics: ATI X1600 or Nvidia 7300 GT with 128 MB of Video RAM or Intel Integrated GMA X3100

In addition, EA specifically says that the game will not run on PowerPC (G3/G4/G5) based Mac systems. So, unless you’re willing to do some major surgery on your Macintosh, you’re not going to be able to play Sims 3 on it.

Sims 3 for the iPhone and iPod Touch

However, if you happen to have an iPhone or iPod Touch, consider buying the Sims 3 game for your mobile device. Though scaled down to size, the mobile version looks to be fun - plus you can take it with you where ever you go.

Second Life

While the Sims Online is no longer online, many other multi-player online role playing games exist. If you haven’t tried Second Life, you might consider it as an alternative to Sims 3 until you have access to a computer that meets the Sims 3 requirements. Second Life is played online and a basic account is free. Second Life’s minimum system requirements for Mac users are as follows:

Cable or DSL Internet connection

Mac OS X 10.4.11 or above

Computer Processor:  1 GHz G4 or better 

Memory:  512 MB or more 

Screen Resolution:  1024×768 pixels 

Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 2 or GeForce 4, ATI Radeon 9200 and above, or ATI Radeon X Series

While it’s disappointing that the Sims 3 game will not play on your PowerPC Mac, if you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, you can play via that platform. If not, other role playing games are out there. I hope you find a virtual world that works for you.

I lost power at my house and now when turn on my Compaq computer it asks for a power on password. Is there away to get around it? Or is there a universal code?

Return the Computer to Factory Settings

You have a few ways around this Compaq power on password situation. It’s possible to clear the CMOS and return the computer to factory settings. If you have made a lot of changes to your system, this might not be the route for you but, if you’re stuck it’s an option.

Jumpstart the CMOS Cables

To clear the CMOS settings you will need to remove and replace the jumpers on the motherboard. The exact location of the jumper will vary depending on the specific model of your computer. The jumper might be on the edge of the motherboard, near the CMOS battery, or near the processor. You can use your user manual to identify and locate them.

Reseat the CMOS Battery

You can also try removing and reseating the CMOS battery, which is on the motherboard. The CMOS battery is the computer’s internal power source that allows the computer to keep time and other internal functions when there is no other power source. You should be able to identify the CMOS battery on the motherboard using your user’s manual. Remove the chip from its setting, give it a rest, then reinsert it. Sometimes this is enough to jumpstart your motherboard and reset the settings to get you around the power on password.

Contact the Manufacturer

Another option is to contact the computer manufacturer, in this case HP, and ask for a reset power on password. This might be the easiest route, especially if you are hesitant to open and tinker with your computer. You might need to wait for a while to get through, but it’s worth a try. You should have your serial number, product information, and user manual on hand before you call so that you are ready to deal with the problem. You can reach the support center for HP/Compaq home products at 800-474-6836.

Replace the Motherboard

If none of these suggestions work to get past the power on password, you can deal with the problem by replacing the motherboard. It is a more costly solution, but will allow you to salvage some of the system if you can’t get the existing motherboard to reset. I hope this helps!

I just bought the Sims 3 and when I try to press the install button it says there’s zero KB available so I deleted some of my stuff in my hard drive but it will not work. Please help me!

Minimum System Requirements

First of all, your computer needs to meet some specific hardware and software requirements in order to be able to support your new SIMS 3 game. You can consult your computer user’s manual to check the specifications.

If you are running a Macintosh:

• Leopard 10.5.7
• 2 GB RAM
• 6.1 GB free disk space
• Sims 3 is not compatible with either Intel GMA 950 class of integrated cards or Power PC processors 

If you are running Windows XP:

• Windows XP Service Pack 2
• 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 Processor, or similar
• 1 GB RAM
• Minimum 6.5 GB of hard drive space - plus an additional 1 GB for custom content

• 128 MB Video Card - with Pixel Shader 2.0 support

If you are running Windows Vista:

• Windows Vista Service Pack 1
• 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 Processor, or similar
• 1.5 GB RAM
• Minimum 6.5 GB of hard drive space - plus an additional 1 GB for custom content

• 128 MB Video Card - with Pixel Shader 2.0 support

If your computer uses a built in graphics set, you need to have at least:

• Intel Integrated Chipset GMA X3000 or higher
• 2.6 GHz Pentium D CPU or 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo
• 0.5 GB extra RAM

SIMS 3 Compatible Video Card

You also need to consider your video card. If you are using a NVIDIA GeForce Series card the SIMS 3 game requires: FX 5900, FX 5950, 6200, 6500, 6600, 6800, 7200, 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950, 8400, 8500, 8600, 8800, 9600, 9800, GTX 260, GTX 280.

If you are using an ATI Radeon Series card, you need: 9500, 9600, 9800, X300, X600, X700, X800, X850, X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950, 2400, 2600, 2900, 3450, 3650, 3850, 3870, 4850, 4870. Or an Intel Extreme Graphics GMA X3×00.

You might not have removed enough data from your hard drive to make 6.5 GB of hard drive space. Here are steps to use Windows to check the available hard disk space.

1. Click the Start button
2. Choose My Computer, then choose Local Disk C:
3. You will see a chart displaying your hard drive used and available space

If you are still over the limit, you can either delete unwanted data, or you can use external devices like CDs, flash drives or an external hard drive to transfer material off your hard drive and freeing up space for your game.

Update your Software

Some users also report better SIMS results after upgrading their Internet Explorer installation. Getting the latest software is usually a good idea to keep your computer compatible. You might want to use Windows Update to get the latest updates. I hope this helps!

I have a problem with the Sims 3. I feel like I have tried everything. I bought Regcure and that didn’t help, I have tried to update my drivers but I have no idea which one to update. By the way I have a Dell Latitude D610 and it will only let me download one of the updates of the three it has given me on Dell.com. HELP PLEASE! I just can’t figure out what to do.

Sims 3 Requirements

One of the first steps that everyone should take when purchasing a game is to check the system requirements for it before they buy it. You’ll find a whole list of requirements for Sims 3 at their website here: Sim3 Requirements. The list is divided according to operating system so make sure that you look at the correct one. Check it out and make sure that your system at least meets it if not goes over the minimum requirements.

Pay particular attention to the amount of RAM and the video card. If any of your hardware falls below the minimum expected requirement, then you need to upgrade your hardware so that it is compatible with the game. Remember that each one of the requirements must be met or you will have problems playing the game.

Sims 3 Requirements after Installation

Computer games take up an incredible amount of resources. Each time you save data to a computer game, you take up even more space. If you take up too much, you are not going to be able to play the game. How do I know this? Because I have kids. Because I have kids who have friends in college who borrow their computer to play their Sims 3 game. Not only do you need room to install the game, but you also need room to play the game and to save it. If you don’t have enough room (memory) then you won’t be able to play it no matter what drivers you upgrade.

So, what I am saying here is that you might need to free up some memory on the computer by deleting old documents, photos, games, and programs that you no longer want to use and make sure that you don’t have too many programs running when you want to play Sims 3. Open “My Computer” and double click on the hard drive icon to access the details concerning how much space you have available. If you don’t have much, then you might want to consider installing additional RAM. The bottom line is that you need a lot of memory to play the game and sufficient memory to install your updated drivers.

Download Drivers or Updates

To update the video driver (a task that might help here,) you need to access the Device Manager. Make sure that you have sufficient space or memory on the computer to do so. Also, I suggest that you close all other applications while installing new drivers or while playing this game. It doesn’t like to share. To do so, follow this path:

1)      Click on “Start.”

2)      Click on “Control Panel.”

3)      Click on “Performance and Maintenance” or “System.”

4)      Click on “Hardware.”

5)      Click on “Device Manager.”

6)      Look for signs of trouble and check it out if you notice any yellow icons. If not, open the video icon and select update drivers.

Reading through several forums, other individuals have mentioned having some success getting their Sims 3 game to work by downloading the chipset drivers for their computers. You can access Dell’s drivers and see if it works for you.

My Macbook Pro meets all the Sims 3 system requirements. However, the installation goes through the process and gets hung up on file 206 before locking up. I know it’s downloading something somewhere, because I went from having 60 GB free, to having 54.21 GB free after two install attempts. But no folder ever gets created, no files appear, I can’t find any trace of what it downloaded to erase it. My system is as follows: Leopard 10.5.7, Intel Core Duo, 2 GB RAM, Radeon X1600.

Mac Sims 3 Requirements

Let’s make sure that your computer meets all of the Sims 3 requirements. Leopard 10.5.7 is required, so that part of it looks fine. In addition, your computer must have at least 2GB of RAM and 6.1 GB free hard drive space as well as an additional 1GB for saving games and customizations. Computers running either Intel GMA 950 class of integrated cards or Power PC processors cannot run Sims 3. Electronic Arts has an online system requirements checker that you can run to be sure that your system is fully compatible. Once you’re sure that your computer has meets all requirements, let’s move on to the next steps.

Install from the Desktop

Since you have the CD, you can try to load it onto the desktop and install it from there. Insert the disk and right click on it to open it. A new window should pop up. Right click on Sims3 Installing and Show Content. Copy and paste the contents to the desktop. Open the contents folder on your desktop, go into the MacOS folder and install from there. Many people have found that the “hang” problem goes away - at the very least they can find out the reason for the corruption by using this method.

It’s also possible that you have a bad CD or something on your Macbook is interfering with the installation. For example, programs such as Roxio Creator and external devices like iPods and iPhones can interfere with disc authentication as can numerous CD emulator programs such as Daemon Tools, Clone CD, and Nero Image Drive. The Sim3 Support Web site details known software conflicts with the game. Try installing the program with all other applications shut down and all external devices disconnected.

Uninstallers for Mac

Do you have an uninstaller program for your Mac? You may need to remove the bad installation and try installing again. AppTrap is a free uninstaller tool for Macintosh. It may be able to remove your partial installation so that you can try again.

Other Tips and Workarounds Once Sims 3 is Installed

Other users have reported success with Sims 3 installations after renaming the Sims 3 folder and the application. By inserting an underscore (_) into the name, the program was able to be launched.

Is it at all possible that the program is installing but you can’t find it? If so, the next time you try an installation, change the installation directory to the desktop. Then you can search for “Sims” in Spotlight to show the icon and launch the game.

Something may be missing in the Sims 3.app folder structure. We suspect that this is preventing Sims3 from running. If Sims 3 is on your system, try this: Right-click “The Sims 3″ (under Applications) to Show Package Contents. Now, go to Contents and MacOS. Double-clicking the word “cider” should open a Terminal.app window where you can then launch Sims 3.

Because this is a new launch with some bugs in it, the Sims3 MacForum might be a good resource as things pop up. Hopefully, one of these solutions worked for you, but let us know if you’re still having problems.

If you think you have a defective disc, you can contact Electronic Arts for a replacement.