ATI video card flicker fix in SimCity 3000

Contributor/author(s): Randy Smith, Jeff Godin, Mike

This problem applies to the ATI (All-In-Wonder PRO). Two known fixes have been submitted for this problem. The first fix is probably a lot easier and faster.

Fix 1 (try first)

Edit your shortcut to SimCity 3000 (right-click the SimCity 3000 icon on your desktop or via Windows Explorer and select properties) and place the following line at the end of the target line:

-cursor:bmp

As an example, it might look something like:

"C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 3000\Game\SC3.EXE" -cursor:bmp

Thanks to Jeff and Mike for providing this tip. Jeff noted however that he had version 5.0 of the ATI drivers, not the latest release (5.24). It is not known at this time if the differences in drivers will make a difference, but it's something to keep in mind.

Fix 2 (if the first one didn't work)

Mouse flickering can also be stopped by disabling the 3D functions of the card. This can be done by moving the slider bar back to either of the first two settings under the "Performance Tab". This tab can be reached a couple of different ways: either through "Display Properties" or "System Properties" and they can be reached either through "Control Panel" or Right click on "My Computer" and then to properties option. Then go to Performance tab, select Graphics option and move slide bar to either of the first two settings. Reboot will be needed. Be sure to put the settings back after playing SimCity 3000 so 3D functions will be available to other programs.