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Re: [CURRENT ISSUE]Sims 3 'Unknown Error' in El Capitan and later OS versions

@Cristabics Okay, the first thing to do is run the Super Patch (digital download version). Even if the launcher thinks it's already patched, it may not be.

https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-manual-super-patch-for-mac-1-67/

With just the base game, the only other step you'll need to take is to edit TS3's .sgr files to force recognition of your graphics card. Bluebellflora has already prepared the edits for your particular card; all you have to do is add the text to each file. You can download the text for the Intel 6000 (and some instructions) here:

https://bluebellflora.com/2018/07/24/sims-3-mac-players-i-need-your-help/#Filesconfirmed

Please make sure to edit both graphicscards.sgr and graphicsrules.sgr, as the game needs both to work.

If you do decide to add packs in the future, four of them (Ambitions, Late Night, Fast Lane, and Outdoor Living) won't install correctly. But the workarounds are fairly straightforward—just follow steps four and five in this guide:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-Mac/READ-FIRST-Sims-3-Mac-Help-Guides-and-Troubleshooting/m-p/6984929#M13578

And if you have any other questions or get stuck on a particular step, just let me know where the process went wrong, as well as any error messages you see.

2 Replies

aryboo1
6 years ago
Hi,
I've been having the same problem as everyone else. The only problem is that it's my base game. I've tried everything and looked everywhere, but no one's advice has helped me so far. I have absolutely no CC, and I uninstalled and reinstalled completely 3 times. I've also held back on downloading the expansion packs as well. Here are my specs:
(Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
1.2 GHz Intel Core m3
8 GB 1867 MHz LPDDR3
Intel HD Graphics 615 1536 MB

Please help lol, ever since I've switched from windows to mac the sims has been giving me hell.
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
6 years ago
@aryboo1 The immediate reason that TS3 won't launch is that your graphics chip isn't recognized by the game. The list of cards was last updated in 2013, so anything newer than that will be unrecognized. Normally, the way to fix this would be to edit the game's .sgr files to add the card.

However, I don't think this is a good idea. Your laptop is absolutely not a gaming computer and is not built to handle even a moderately demanding game like TS3. A MacBook (not the Pro or even the Air, but the simple MacBook) will have a weak processor with a weak integrated graphics chip, neither of which would likely run the game under the best of circumstances. The usual recommendation for processor speed is at least 2.4 GHz, and yours would have to constantly run in turbo to maintain that speed.

Furthermore, MacBooks can't cool themselves efficiently—they don't even have a fan, relying instead on the dissipation of heat from the bottom of the laptop. So even if you could get TS3 running, your computer would likely overheat very quickly, probably before you had much of a chance to play. And the excess heat could even damage your hardware.

I'm sorry to say it, but I don't think there's a way to get a good play experience on this computer. Even the base game is likely too much for it.