@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.
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-ac10ce454ca4
You 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-SIM3:61770
Stones Throw Greenhouse (Venue) - GreenhouseSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=13570&productId=OFB-SIM3:58192
Brunch at the Old Mill (Set) - MillSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?productId=OFB-SIM3:72837&categoryId=11488
Bohemian Garden (Set) - BohemianGardenSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?productId=OFB-SIM3:72093&categoryId=11488
Blast From the Past Compilation (Set) - BlastfromPast.SET.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=13763&index=0&productId=OFB-SIM3:56590
Ultra Lounge 2010 (Set) - UltraLoungeCompleteSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=12036&index=0&productId=OFB-SIM3:33702
Barnacle Bay (World) - BarnacleBayDDSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/barnacleBay.html?categoryId=12642§ion=UpSell
Hidden Springs (World) - Hidden Springs.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/hiddenSprings.html?categoryId=12642§ion=UpSell
@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?
@mw1525 - Thank you for your reply and notes on what you've tried.
I noticed I forgot to mention I removed all mods and custom content as well.
You mentioned you have your browser set to clear all data. So do I. Even though we use say Firefox as our everyday browser, the Sims 3 launcher still uses some parts of Internet Explorer to do it's thing. So we need to delete the cache files from Edge/IE to help make the Sims 3 launcher work.
That seems to be the only thing I did differently than you.
I did a quick test this morning using a few (8) of my back up store files from 2016 and am not getting the dcdbt.ebc file.
@roberta591 - There is definitely a miscommunication in the code somewhere because this issue popped up out of the blue at the very same time when other Simmers (who have Origin or The EA App) started having the same type of problems all concerning the Sims 3 store. In fact, on the official forums, I have dated this issue back into November of last year when apparently things were a lot worst for players and went beyond just store content.
When I purchased this game, I had a PC with a built-in cd/dvd ROM. Now I have to use my external DVD ROM to play the game. Where DRM is concerned, this is the path EA chose:
2009 EULA - 2009 Base Game
B. Technical Protection Measures. Your license to the Software is verified by inserting the disk in the drive and by entering the serial code enclosed with the Software. Thereafter, you must have the disk in the drive to use the Software.
2013 EULA - Into The Future
Technical Protection Measures. This software uses the same content protection technology that accompanied The Sims 3 base game. For more information, please refer to the End User License Agreement file found in The Sims 3 base game.
@ 172e3cda00349872 - I have to keep my PC as streamline as possible, so I don't have anything on it which isn't necessary. I also do weekly maintenance on it (cleaning, back-ups, update check and the likes) to keep it running as optimally as possible. This include maintaining my browser.
I just left the Sims 3 store not too long ago to try downloading and installing again. Downloading was time consuming because even though I own the entire store, the site told me I didn't. The number of 'You don't own the item you're trying to download' messages I received was borderline ridiculous. When I did get something to download, I tried installing while still online only to get the same result.
At least I gave it a shot.
