Re: What is the installation process for loading package files with the EA App

Thank you for responding, Puzzlezaddict. I know that .package files shouldn't be opened at all, but the first day that I was forced to download the EA App, the ONLY thing that worked was to double-click on files one by one rn I'm thinking scrapping all my merge files, and starting over, but I hesitate due to worrying I don't have all of the original files. 

I am also unsure if the merge files are even showing up in-game because I've been adding downloads of anything in sims3packs. Not ideal for double-checking things. 

I got rid of all those cache files, several bin files, and the EA Featured Items thumbnails, among others. 

I'm shocked that no one else seems to be having this problem, my searches have turned up nothing that is my problem, exactly.  

I'm attaching two screenshots for you.

@ladyxixi2000  If you move the Mods folder to the desktop, can you launch the game?  If so, please recreate the Mods framework, including a new Resource.cfg, download a fresh copy of one .package file known to work (an NRaas mod would be fine), and see whether it loads in-game.  Be sure to delete the cache files again.

The .package file will of course not show in the launcher, as the launcher doesn't read the Mods folder, but it should show at the Main Menu.  And if you add almost any NRaas mod, you should see NRaas as an option when clicking City Hall, so you'll know whether it's working.  If it does work, you can add a couple of your existing .package files to the new Packages folder and test them too.  Check them out in CAS or Build/Buy to make sure they're loading properly.

@ladyxixi2000  The problem is that some of the .package files could be outdated or nonworking independent of your system.  If I knew which files were a problem for you, I could test them on my machines too, but that doesn't help you if you don't know which files to test.

Please also let me know whether OneDrive is running on this system, and if so, whether you want it gone or just not interfering with Sims 3.  I have a guide that covers the various options here:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/PC/CURRENT-ISSUE-Sims-4-saves-user-content-disappearing-PC/m-p/12475370

OneDrive syncing could mess with your mods, and other user data, including preventing some but not all mods and cc from working at any given time.

@ladyxixi2000  Delphy's Dashboard misses a lot of conflicts and can flag some that aren't true conflicts.  It's a helpful first step in finding problems but isn't reliable enough to be the only tool you use.  There's no substitute for testing yourself.

Still, if you want to redownload it, this is the source:

https://modthesims.info/d/387006/sims-3-dashboard-tool-updated-1st-july-2022-v1-3-8217-25892.html

It's also very possible that a file was corrupted and isn't working in-game for one reason or another.  Third-party tools aren't necessarily going to catch that either.

For the female sim, does a different skin work on her?  Does this skin work on a different female sim in the same age stage?  If you're over it, that's fine, but if you want to try once more, I'd suggest changing her skin, saving/quitting/reloading, and trying the original skin again, that is if it works on other female sims.

For the .sim files, you don't need to install them through the launcher.  Just drop them into SavedSims, or create that folder if it doesn't already exist.

In the future, I'd suggest testing every new cc item in a clean user folder first, making sure it works on the sims it should and that it doesn't show up for or corrupt other sims.  That way, you can identify problems before they get anywhere near your main saves.

As for OneDrive, if you set up Windows with no internet connection, you should be able to skip linking your Microsoft account.  Even if not, linking one device should have no effect on any other device that isn't also linked to that account.  Even Windows can't sync settings across devices if those devices don't appear to be owned by the same person.