Forum Discussion
https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/1006831/sims-3-installing-store-content-and-downloads#latest
As far as my game is concerned, it ended in 2014 when the Sims 3 did with update v167. It is a full disc install built on the pre-2012 base game, not on the Origin one which came after. I am not understanding why I am suddenly having EA app issues with a physical installation.
@mw1525 I'm not sure what's going on here, but one question I have is whether your whole computer is offline when you try to install content, and if so, whether it helps to be online. And just to clarify, do you even have Origin or the EA App installed on this computer, or not? You shouldn't need to; I'd just like to know in case there turns out to be a pattern with other users.
- mw15253 years agoSeasoned Ace
@roberta591 - I feel you may be correct on two points:
1- This is a DRM issue and,
2- I am not playing the game in the way EA currently wants me to play (through their app).However, as far as I know this game has not been listed as 'retired' on their official site. Nor have I seen or heard any official mention that the disc version of the game (v167) is currently unsupported. Not once has EA made a statement to its disc players to re-install the game to digital because updates or fixes would ONLY be given to 'digital' version of the game. Until they officially announce this, I can only assume support for my version of the game is still supported. After all, their servers allowed me to download my content, it didn't stop me because I wasn't on patch v1.70.
@puzzlezaddict - Yes, I install content when not connected to the internet. I don't like things being slid onto my PC from EA when I am online.No. I do not and never had either Origin or The EA app installed on my PC. This is why I do not understand the recoding of my launcher to not install my content not even from back-ups made nearly 10 years ago.
And just to add, I installed this game offline. I declined the download manager. I updated to v1.67 via the super-patch. All store content which is currently installed was installed from my back-up files and not from a fresh download. The Sims have been installed on this PC since mid-2021 with no issues....until now.
- 3 years ago
Hi @mw1525
I also have the original disc version of Sims 3 purchased as they were made available between 2009-2013. I made a backup of my store content back in 2016 and am able to install and use them without any issues. I did have some store content that had dates of 2010, that install just fine as well.
I installed my backed up store content into a new Sims 3 folder, about 20 at a time at most depending on what I was installing. World files I installed 1 or 2 a time.
If you haven't, try deleting browser data via Edge, specifically for Internet Explorer.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/view-and-delete-browser-history-in-microsoft-edge-00cf7943-a9e1-975a-a33d-ac10ce454ca4You mentioned you've tried the usual troubleshooting steps, but didn't mention which ones you've tried other than installing into a new Sims 3 folder. This is why I am suggesting deleting browser data. The Sims 3 Launcher uses IE parts of IE to do it's thing.
If you would like, I can try to help you troubleshoot some more?
I also downloaded some store content recently, like within the last few days as part of my store content test. I took notes as I did my test:
– 2009-2013 - Original Disc based version updated to 1.67 via the Superpatch.
– Reinstalled the game Summer 2021.
– No ties to Origin/EA App.
– Can download store content via the Sims 3 store website,. (https://store.thesims3.com/) into new Sims 3 folder, using Firefox.
– Needed to make sure to allow the store to open Sims3 links. It will open the launcher and start downloading the .Sims3Pack file(s).
– Files will show as brown boxes until they are fully downloaded. After downloaded they show their thumbnails.
– Cleared browser data including IE data after done downloading store files. Used Ccleaner before installing.
– Installed files while online. But logged out of the launcher/game.
– Files install and items show in the Installed Content tab.
– Ccmerged.package in DCBackup. Deleted the rest.
– Installed 8 files in total and have 1 dcdb0.ebc cache file and dcc.ent in my DCCache folder.
– Barnacle Bay and Hidden Springs show up in Installed Worlds and show on the New Game drop down list.
– Got a couple of venue lots in the Library folder. (Green House and Daycare Center) and show in-game community lots tab.
– Items show in Build/Buy mode.List of Venues, Sets and Worlds -
Tiny Prodigies Early Learning Center (Venue) - TinyProdigiesEarlyLearningCenterSET.sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=13570&productId=OFB-SIM3:61770Stones Throw Greenhouse (Venue) - GreenhouseSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=13570&productId=OFB-SIM3:58192Brunch at the Old Mill (Set) - MillSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?productId=OFB-SIM3:72837&categoryId=11488Bohemian Garden (Set) - BohemianGardenSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?productId=OFB-SIM3:72093&categoryId=11488Blast From the Past Compilation (Set) - BlastfromPast.SET.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=13763&index=0&productId=OFB-SIM3:56590Ultra Lounge 2010 (Set) - UltraLoungeCompleteSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=12036&index=0&productId=OFB-SIM3:33702Barnacle Bay (World) - BarnacleBayDDSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/barnacleBay.html?categoryId=12642§ion=UpSellHidden Springs (World) - Hidden Springs.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/hiddenSprings.html?categoryId=12642§ion=UpSell- mw15253 years agoSeasoned Ace
@172e3cda00349872- I am glad you are not affected with this issue as it is an unpleasant one. You wanted to know what other steps I took for troubleshooting. Prior to removing the entire folder, I tried the following:
1- Removed all mods (and tried)
2- Removed 3rd party custom content (hair, clothing & objects) which are installed as .package files and not .dbc files (+ the mods folder and tried again.)
3-Removed custom worlds (from both the library file and their associated .dbc file)
4- Removed just the DCCache folder (with both .dbc and .ebc files)
5 - Removed the DCCache folder + The DCBackup folder
6- Cleared the thumbnail folder (without DCCache or DCBackup and tried again)
7- Cleared the world Caches folder (and tried again)
8- Threw out the x5 cache packages (and tried again)
And, finally I moved the entire folder to let the game generate a new one. I then went online downloaded a toddler toilet to test. Turned off the internet, tried to install the potty chair. It didn't work. I used one of my back-up files to test. I still didn't work.
I don't think I could have done anything more. After none of my efforts worked, I tried to get 'official help' by opening a case. Yet, no matter how I explain this issue, the only advice they give is for me to uninstall and re-install the EA app to see if that fixes the issue.**Forgot to add, my browser is set to clear everything and all histories on closing. Only things I specifically add are saved.
@puzzlezaddict- I forgot to mention every time I tried to install anything a 'dcdbt.ebc' file is generated. Any idea why?
- roberta5913 years agoHero (Retired)
i also have the disc version of this game and I am reading the back of the jewel case. It says acceptance of the end user license agreement required to play. EA has not retired this game. EA can (and has) updated the EULA since this game was released. The disc version IS still supported. The EULA I just read (may not be the latest) makes a reference to the DRM and the use of Origin. I'm sure EA will get around to updating the language eventually. Until you patch to version 1.69 SecuROM is active. I would like to see this game run under Linux. I had the base game running but couldn't get the download to work. I doubt if EA will ever release a game without DRM. That was Steam's original objective. Noble as it was even Steam had to change. This is the distributor's forum and I'm sure an EA game consultant can help you getting the game running correctly.
- mw15253 years agoSeasoned Ace
@roberta591 - Because of the 2008 Class Action Ruling (concerning SPORE), EA never put secuROM on the 2009 base game discs or any other in the Sims 3 series. Instead, they opted to use the product key as the authentication protection tool.
EXCERPT:
Sims series executive producer Rod Humble has said that The Sims 3 will not use DRM (digital rights management). "To play the game there will not be any online authentication needed," Humble wrote on the Sims 3 website.Source: https://www.eurogamer.net/the-sims-3-will-not-use-drm
Even if they had included it, on March 31, 2009 (months before TS3's release), Electronic Arts released a DRM Deactivation Tool to remove it. There are still many articles from various credible sources concerning the decision available to read online.EA Download Manager/Origin/EA App are all (optional) digital services which are not required to run the game or use the launcher. Each one of these services applies only to people who use the digital version of the game. Documentation concerning these can be found in the EULA of both the (1st) 2009 'Base Game' (EA Download Manager) and The (last) 2013 'Into The Future' (Origin).
The introduction and purpose of Origin is still located on the The Sims 3 store. It states, "Origin is a newer and better integrated system, designed to support digital download, mobile devices, and the full range of EA games."
Source: https://www.thesims3.com/gettingstarted/aboutoriginThe EA App states its purpose on the current EA site. "For our Origin players, we’ve worked hard to make the transition to the EA app as simple as possible. We will be inviting you to make the move soon, and by the time you receive your invite, all your games and content, including games previously installed, will be ready and waiting for you on the EA app."
Source: https://www.ea.com/en-gb/news/ea-appSince I am not a 'digital' player, these changes do not apply to my situation. My base game came 'before' the mandatory change to Origin credentials in 2012. Not accepting (not--not installing) Origin only meant I could no longer sign into the Sims 3.com. It had no changes to the game or launcher.
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