Forum Discussion

Re: EA App causing new problems with TS3 CC [mac]

@smythesbooms  For the issue installing content through the launcher, please see the first post of this thread:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/Sims-3-64-bit-problems-installing-store-custom-content/m-p/9665254#M12124

For the game itself, please move the entire Sims 3 folder out of Documents > Electronic Arts and onto your desktop, then see whether you can play.  When you open the launcher, a clean folder will spawn with no content; don't add anything to it yet.  Your saves and other content will be intact in the folder you moved and can be restored later, but please leave those files where they are for now.

Sims 3 absolutely does run on 64-bit-only Macs.  I don't know why the product page says what it does, but it's incorrect and not the cause of your issues.

15 Replies

  • smythesbooms's avatar
    smythesbooms
    2 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict I appreciate the link but the fix for "Error Downloading Content {0} or critical system failure" has details of fixes for Origin which unfortunately is not relevant to the new EA App
  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @smythesbooms  You can use the App Recovery tool to accomplish the same thing as the Origin reset tool; I believe it's under the Help menu but don't have the Mac version in front of me at the moment.  Let me know if you need help finding it.  And you can repair Sims 3 under the Manage menu.  If that doesn't help, use this guide to clear out the old Origin files manually:

    https://bluebellflora.com/how-to-uninstall-origin-on-a-mac/

    then repeat the above.

  • smythesbooms's avatar
    smythesbooms
    2 years ago

    Hello again, I tried the "repair" as I was unable to find the EA App cleaner. I remember the Origin one worked great as a fix for basically any problems but I can't see it. If you could look it up on yours that would be fab! Thank you! 🙂

  • smythesbooms's avatar
    smythesbooms
    2 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict

    Hello again, I tried the "repair" as I was unable to find the EA App cleaner. I remember the Origin one worked great as a fix for basically any problems but I can't see it. If you could look it up on yours that would be fab! Thank you! 🙂
  • smythesbooms's avatar
    smythesbooms
    2 years ago

    @puzzlezaddictSo I did the "app recovery" and bluebellflora's manual clean out of the origin and ea app files and still getting the "error downloading content {0}" message ☹️

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @smythesbooms  Please uninstall and reinstall Sims 3, move or rename the entire user folder (again), and try again.  If that doesn't work, try in a new admin user account on your Mac.  In fact, you can try the new user account first if you prefer.  Just don't link it to your Apple ID: that means no iCloud interference and no settings from your current account imposed on the new one.

  • smythesbooms's avatar
    smythesbooms
    2 years ago

    Still nothing. Compleate removal of all TS3/Origin/EA App files from all users and I've spent hours searching though for anything with sims/origin/ea in the file name. Created new admin user did not log into an apple account and started over downloading the EA App and my game. Just installed the base to start and tried to download a single item from the store using firefox and no dice. Continued downloading my expension packs (in release order) just for funsies and by the end of that still getting the error. I think I might just have to wait until they do some fixes of the EA App to try again at this point? I really appreciate all your help @puzzlezaddict  because of course I can't get in touch with any real humans that work for EA

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @smythesbooms  Do you use a third-party antvirus, or some kind of cleaner app like CleanMyMac?  If so, that might be the issue: an antivirus can block the connection to EA, and a cleaner app can delete essential files, including some that authenticate your ownership of the game for the Store site.  The fix in either case should be to disable the software and repair Sims 3.

    Other than that, do you have a different Mac you can test with, or do you know someone who owns Sims 3 and who would let you use their account to install the game on your Mac?  This doesn't seem like a typical account issue, but it's worth testing if possible.

  • smythesbooms's avatar
    smythesbooms
    2 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict I use Avast and Ad Block on Chrome, though I have been using Firefox for anything EA/Sims related. Would they be able to interfear? If so, would disabling them before re-trying downloading be a good idea?
  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @smythesbooms  A Chrome browser extension shouldn't have any effect when you're using a different browser.  When Sims 3 needs browser-like resources, it borrows from Safari, and of course Firefox wouldn't know anything about Chrome extensions.  But Avast, if it's the full antivirus rather than a browser add-on, could be a problem here.

  • smythesbooms's avatar
    smythesbooms
    2 years ago
    @puzzlezaddict wasn't sure if the browsers can see each others settings and what not with the way everything seems to integrate these days lol. Do you know of any particular settings in Safari I should check and turn on/off to not interfear.
  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @smythesbooms  Safari default settings should be fine, so you can reset to defaults and test.  You can also clear its history and everything under Safari > Preferences > Privacy.

  • smythesbooms's avatar
    smythesbooms
    2 years ago

    @puzzlezaddictThanks again, did a compleate EA removal and restore defaults to safari and all apple settings in a new user with no apple ID and changed my EA password this time. Still no luck. Interestingly the bar is white this time in stead of grey though still getting the same error

  • smythesbooms's avatar
    smythesbooms
    2 years ago

    For anyone like me who has attempted the troubleshooting steps from the forums
    (ie posts from users Bluebellflora, puzzlezaddict, and EA_Sorlaire(Community Manager)

     

    but STILL getting error message

     
    'There was an error Downloading Content {0}'. pop up.
     
    I have finally managed to talk to someone at EA Player Help Services!!
     
    They asked several times if I am *sure* I tried uninstalling the EA App and reinstalling and the other troubleshooting that came from the wonderful @puzzlezaddict which I confirmed I have tried multiple times. I had compleatly removed any trace of the sims, origin and EA app from my mac, not just used the 'uninstall' button. I went through all the 'users' on my mac and all the way deep into my hard drive to remove anything left behind (which was quite a few things).
    Here is the responses I got:
     

    "It seems that players have already submit it on the EA forums, however, we haven't got any information regarding the fix or the work around for the issue from the internal team. Please stay for few more moments, for me to make sure of it, okay?"

    (At this point they had me *again* confirm which troubleshooting steps I've tried)

     

    "Well I really appreciate that you really took the troubleshooting steps seriously. It seems that all the necessary troubleshooting were already performed, but the issue haven't been solved yet.To help you, I will flag this case to the internal team first, since they can't provide a fix right now. Later, they will review the cases and the EA forums report, and will deploy a fix in the future. I understand for your concern and it is so frustrating that you are not be able to enjoy your game. But right now what I can do for you is to pass this to our dedicated team to investigate further so they could see what is wrong with the website. I hope you will get back to your game as soon as possible. Appreciate your understanding, anything else you need help with?"

     

    So basically they don't have a fix and we just have to wait.

     

    (Unfortunately I was not able to save a copy of the transctiption because when the player servaces agent closes the chat it goes right to the survay screen and they close it fast I didn't have time to screen shot what I wanted or download.)

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