Hero+

Re: Can't create or load saves, "Serious error"

@hugsohugs A dxdiag is always appreciated since it covers a few of the questions I'd ask right away. But in this case, my other questions are what antivirus you use and if OneDrive is running (whether you use it at all or not).

Please also let me know what happens if you play in a clean user folder. Move the entire Sims 3 folder out of Documents > Electronic Arts and onto your desktop, and when you launch the game, a clean folder will spawn with no content. Don't add anything to this folder; just try to start a new save in Sunset Valley and let me know whether it works, both in loading and in saving. You don't need to spend much time on it since this is just for testing purposes.

Please let me know if you get an error when trying to move the Sims 3 folder or if it copies rather than moving.

6 Replies

hugsohugs
3 years ago
I use Windows Defender, and OneDrive is uninstalled.
I've moved the Sims 3 folder out many times now, but all that does is let me start a game one more time before everything stops working again.
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
3 years ago
@hugsohugs If you create a new Sims 3 folder and then copy your previous save (the one that worked once before you got this same error), can you load that save one more time, or do you still get the "serious error" message? I ask because I'm curious whether transferring the save brings the problem along with it.

And are you changing any settings when you play the first time, or adding any content at all to the new user folder?

As another test, please create a new admin Windows account and try playing in that. Make it a local account, as in, don't sign into Microsoft, and don't sync with any other services you normally use. You'll be able to sign into your EA account and won't need to reinstall Sims 3, but your user data won't be available.
hugsohugs
3 years ago
Copying a previous file in the initial launch gives the same message but the save takes longer to load.
No, I'm not changing any settings or adding content.
The new admin account worked! Interesting. Is there a way to make it work on my main account with this info?
hugsohugs
3 years ago
@puzzlezaddict Sorry, forgot to tag you. Please read the above message, and thank you for your help so far 🙂
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
3 years ago
@hugsohugs The fact that the game works fine in the new Windows account means that the problem lies in your main account, and that it's likely borked permissions or some user setting. For the permissions, that's why I asked if you were using an antivirus: these programs can block another app's access to Documents or a folder inside.

From here, one thing you could try is removing the Electronic Arts folder, in case the issue is that folder and not all of Documents. If that doesn't help, the takeown command might. (You do need to run it from your main account, not the new one.) This is the command:

takeown /F "C:\Users\username\Documents"

Write your actual username for this Windows account (your main one) instead of username. Since the syntax needs to be exactly right, please copy this command to a Notepad file, substitute in your username, and then copy that string when you're ready to use it. Hit Windows key-X and choose either "PowerShell (Administrator)" or "Windows Terminal (Administrator)," whichever option is offered, and paste the command into the window.

Just to be thorough, please move the Electronic Arts folder out of Documents, if you haven't already, before trying to play.
hugsohugs
3 years ago
@puzzlezaddict Holy cow, it's working! This is the first time I've been able to load a save on my main account in WEEKS! Thank you so so so much, you've saved my life here.