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puzzlezaddict's avatar
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
5 years ago

Re: Origin error: unable to start due to missing game data. Install Legacy Edition

@SnarkyWitch  A couple months ago, a few people with Avast reported the same error message as you had, with Avast installed.  It turned out that they didn't have TS4_x64.exe, despite having been able to play the game before and despite having set exceptions for it and Origin in Avast.  I'm not sure exactly which setting was at fault, but the only solution was reinstalling while Avast was totally disabled.

You can try clearing Origin's cache and repairing with Avast disabled, but if that doesn't help, then it might be necessary to uninstall and reinstall with Avast disabled.  You could of course try just with the exceptions set, but that didn't work for the first affected players.  If you want to save time when reinstalling, you can also just install the base game; if the exception doesn't help, uninstall and reinstall again with Avast disabled and see what happens.

And yes, TS4.exe is from the Legacy Edition.  Everyone has it regardless of whether the LE is installed; there are additional files that make the LE work that you wouldn't have installed, or else Origin would just run the LE without prompting you to download it.

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  • SnarkyWitch's avatar
    SnarkyWitch
    Seasoned Ace
    5 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict Thank you. I just reinstalled after adding the exceptions. Didn't think to disable Avast while doing so, but the game is running now and Avast gave me a notification that it added The Sims 4 to my Do Not Disturb list (one of its gaming features) which is a good sign it no longer sees The Sims 4 as a threat.

    If the issue happens again, though, I will try reinstalling with Avast disabled.

    Thank you for your help!
  • SnarkyWitch's avatar
    SnarkyWitch
    Seasoned Ace
    5 years ago

    Just stopping back in to update on the issue.

    The same error happened again. This time, I did disable my antivirus while I reinstalled the game. It worked for a few days until it didn't, again. So that solution was a bust for me.

    However, I have found a fairly easy workaround. I decided to keep a copy of the TS4_x64.exe file on my desktop just in case Avast decided to nerf it again on me. I figured if I had a copy, I could just pop the .exe back into the Bin folder and have it run again without the need to reinstall anything. When Avast inevitably did delete the file on me again, I disabled Avast's shields and then placed my copy in the Bin folder. That allowed me to run the game again without the need to reinstall. Your antivirus shields must be disabled before you copy the file back into the Bin folder, or your antivirus will also block you from doing that even if you're the administrator.

    So if this happens to anyone else, you can try following those steps whenever you get this annoying error.

  • DeColuvj's avatar
    DeColuvj
    4 years ago

    I had this issue last night. Doing a clean uninstall&reinstall did not help.  Clearing origin's cache did the trick. Thank you!

  • whiskyrose's avatar
    whiskyrose
    4 years ago

    I had the same error as OP but I use AVG virus protection not Avast. 

    Just wanted to add to this thread in case anyone with different virus protection software (such as AVG) has this issue. 

    I found that disabling AVG then repairing the game worked for me. 

    Hope this helps! 

  • operationjenn's avatar
    operationjenn
    3 years ago

    OMG THANK YOU THANK YOU. I've been dealing with this problem for a few weeks after switching to the EA app and the Sims went free to play. Avast had quarantined the TS4_x64.exe file in the bin folder! I was able to restore the file and create an exception so it won't happen again. AVAST!!!!! >☹️

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