Sims 2 Legacy : 'Application has crashed, application will now terminate.'

same here 😭 someone know resolution how to fix it?

Having the same issue, when I'm building my house and trys to add grass or flatten the ground. It's actually also a bit laggy, while I'm playing... Hope EA will fix it soon! 

Same issue here. The sims 3 legacy pack worked fine for me when released, no lags or glitches. Bam ! Once EA made updates now I’m having nothing but issues with this game and it’s so frustrating! 

So, lots of replies of folks having the same problem, but no one with a solution.  Was there a patch that was created to fix this?  I find that I can open an empty house or build one.  As long as I save it periodically, I can go through the construction, but certain acquisitions, like adding a helicopter or a car, or messing up placing a wall, will trigger the very same application error I get trying to move a new Sim family into a home or open a home with a family already in it.  I can tell you what I have tried, but nothing has fixed the problem...  but, here it goes...

Step 1: Run the Game in Compatibility Mode (that's obvious... so many settings I tried, to no avail)

Step 2: Force DirectX 9 Mode (this was done within Steam, basically adding, in this case, "-w -dx9" to Launch Options; it forced a windowed mode, which I was actually able to maximize... but the issue was not resolved)

Step 3: Fix Graphics Rules for Modern GPUs (so, this involves downloading this fix: https://www.simsnetwork.com/simpedia/the-sims-2/faq/graphics-problems and following the instructions to replace the Graphics Rules.sgr file; I actually think I skipped this step, so I will give it a go in a bit.)

Step 4: Disable DEP (Data Execution Prevention) (I couldn't get this to work; attempts to turn off DEP for sims2ep9.exe failed for me)

Step 5: Use the 4GB Patch (now, this is an old school step that I had forgotten; downloading the patch here: https://ntcore.com/?page_id=371 and running it I thought would work.  It created a copy of the original .exe as .backup and presented the revised .exe file for use; sadly, this didn't fix the issue, but I was able to get further into the game before it crashed)

Step 6: Check for Mods or Custom Content Conflicts (I mean, yeah... but I had mods turned off when I first started getting these issues... It's good hygiene to test your mods anyway, but this I do not think is the problem for me)

Step 7: Check Windows Event Viewer for Crash Logs (doing a Find in the results in the right column was able to show multiple crashes, but I am not technically savvy to know what I am looking at, so it might be more useful for tech heads out there)

Step 8: Manually Fixing Graphics Rules.sgr for Sims 2 on Windows 11 (this involved editing to versions of Graphics Rules.sgr in both TSData\Res\Config and TSData\Res\CSConfig folders.  The instructions I got said there was a line that read "seti textureMemory 32" and change it to "seti textureMemory 1024" or 2048.  However, no such line existed, so I added the new setting anyway... but that did not resolve the issue.)

Step 9: Download the directx_Jun2010_redist.exe file. (So, with these steps, I downloaded DirectX 9.0c... that's very old school... which doesn't interfere with the current DirectX version, 12 or something...  This didn't fix my issue either.)

Step 10: Rename UserProps.xml to UserProps.backup and restart the game, which should re-create the configuration file (I tried this too... no change in results)

Step 11: Run the Steam Integrity Check (Under Properties, Installed Files, you can check the integrity of game files.  I haven't tried this yet, but it is on my list of things to do.)

Step 12: Try Running the Game Without Secure Boot (Temporary Test) (I didn't feel up to trying this test, but who knows...)

Step 13: Check If EA App or Windows Defender Is Blocking Sims 2 (more anti-virus troubleshooting... Windows Defender, in case you are still using that, apparently can cause problems with Sims2EP9.exe; that or EA App, which I didn't see running on my system.)

Step 14: Force Windowed Mode + Adjust Graphics Settings (so, this is much like a prior step... within Steam, within the game, go to Properties, and in Launch Options change the text that you added before to "-w -dx9 -cpuCount:1"  The first two settings are the same as before... windowed and forced using DirectX9; the new setting forces using 1 CPU core, so much like older machines.  I haven't tried this, but I will.)

So, hopefully some of these steps will help for most of you, even though I haven't achieved success yet.  Good luck, to all of us!

I get that when entering a sims lot

Same exact issues happening for me as well. When legacy edition first came out/ was released I had no problems. Now with the EA updates I’ve had issues and can’t play the sims 2 at all. 

so i get this message too. but it is only when i am playing the 'open for business' part. it never does this on any other part of the game. i had this same issue on Sims 2 ultimate collection and now Sims 2 Legacy

Same thing is happening to me - was working fine and now the game will boot up no issues until I load into a family then I will get the crashed message. :(

I am getting Error report in the music files

For those specifically getting the  "Application has crashed, application will now terminate" error when trying to load a family, in addition to trying the above, here's a workaround that got the game working for me:

1. Open the game and go to any world.
2. Open the "Lots & Houses" mode (you can click on the button or press the F2 button).
3. Click on any unoccupied, empty lot and then click "Enter Lot."
4. Once you've loaded into the lot, click on the Options button (F5 button), then click "Graphics/Performance Options."
5. For the "Shadows" options (top left corner), click the "Off" setting.
6. Click "Apply Changes" at the bottom of this menu.
7. Click the button that returns you to the neighborhood view, then click "Yes" when you're asked if you want to save.
8. Try to play a household. At this point, I was able to load a family without crashing.
9. If you're able to load in to the family and everything appears to be working OK, save your game.
10. If you close and re-open the game, you shouldn't have to repeat these steps anymore.

(See attached images. The last one shows me playing a family, and I was able to keep all other graphics settings high as well as 2K resolution.)

In short, the issue seems to be something involving shadows. This is a bandaid solution rather than a proper fix, but at least it allows you to play the game! (Not the end of the world to be missing shadows 😁) I highly recommend saving very often as you play, just in case.

(Fix was originally found here.)

You can see below how I'm playing a family, and with the other graphics settings being on high.