Re: Sims 3 (Unknown error occurred) upon trying to play

Hi puzzlezaddict,

Thank you very much for you reply I really appreciate you trying to help me. I have tried many of the guides to no avail. I am using a MacBook-Pro 10.14.6 13 inc (2007), 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5,

That should be fine shouldn't it. The problem seems to be with the main game, not any of the expansion packs. As soon as a try a launch it just says error 'Unknown Error Occurred'.What would suggest I'm best to do? Honestly been trying to get this working for 10 hours ahah, want to make the most of my isolation from the Corona Virus.

Kind regards,

Joss

sorry meant 2017

Its MacOS Mojave

@jossmurphy2  That the base game won't launch suggests that the issue is your graphics card isn't in Sims 3's database.  (It's definitely not in the database, but this is only a problem on certain cards.)  Just in case it helps, try running the Super Patch (digital download version) before doing anything else, then launch the game.

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

If you still get the unknown error, I'll need the full specs of your Mac, not just the general model.  Please also provide the device ID of your graphics card, so I can help you add that ID to the database.

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

Or, if you'd like to do it yourself, scroll down from that information needed section in the link above and see whether your card is one where Bluebellflora has already provided the necessary text.  If she has, you can just download the text and add it to your .sgr files.  Be sure to edit both files.

By the way, if the game does launch, you'll get a license server error.  But that can be dealt with, either by applying a certain fix or installing almost any expansion or stuff pack.  So let me know whether you have packs to install.

0x5926 

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)

2.3 GHz Intel Core i5

8 GB 2133 MHz LPDDR3

Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 1536 MB

Is this all the relevant details needed?

Thanks,

When I say play now on for Sims 3 Origin it says:

(I Have Expansion Packs, but haven't downloaded them)

Photos

I've copied both graphics cards over to the relevant folders (Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640) from the link to the download you gave me. It still doesn't even launch however. The GraphicsCards.srg folder that I've moved in looks a little light and only contains 67 bytes however and just reads 

Is this definitely right/is there anything else I can do?

Best,

Joss

@jossmurphy2  The graphicscards file only needs to have an entry for your specific card in order to work.  It's normally a long list of hundreds of cards, but the game simply needs to match your device ID (0x5926) with a name.  Then it matches the name to the corresponding entry in graphicsrules.

Just as a test, try launching the game through its icon in Applications, with Origin closed.  There's no reason Origin needs to be running while you play.

If that doesn't work though, it's probably a good idea to start over with a clean uninstall.  Here's how to remove the hidden library files that don't get deleted during a normal uninstall:

https://bluebellflora.com/how-to-do-a-clean-uninstall-and-reinstall-on-a-mac/

Reset Origin too, to fix the finalizing issue and make sure you can download the game again.

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/origin/origin/how-to-reset-origin-on-mac/

Download the base game only, run the Super Patch again, then apply the two .sgr fixes.  Be sure to run the Super Patch before editing the .sgr files—patching reverts the files to their original state.

If that still doesn't work, please go into Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3, open the file labeled deviceconfig.log, copy the lines between "Graphics device info" (about 25 lines down) and "Options" (about 40 lines down), and paste it here.  If you don't have a deviceconfig yet, that's fine, but let me know.

I really appreciate you trying to help out regardless of whether we get his working- thank you!

@jossmurphy2  Okay, so the .sgr edits worked: you can see your card is recognized from the [Found: 1, Matched: 1] entry.  Try bypassing the launcher:

https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-how-to-bypass-the-launcher-on-a-mac/

If that doesn't help, please confirm that Origin didn't download any of your packs behind your back, so to speak.  Open Applications\The Sims 3, right-click on the base game icon and select Show Package Contents, then open Contents > Resources > AddOns, and see if there are any other packs listed.

I can confirm there are no extra adds on - when I try and bypass the launcher it comes up with this.

Any ideas or this a hopeless case ?

Thank you again

@jossmurphy2  Do you happen to have any antivirus/firewall running?  If so, disable it and test.  If you have Mackeeper or any other app that's supposed to clean your Mac, get rid of it.

Otherwise, try creating a new user account on your Mac and launching the game through that.  Make sure it's an admin account and that its name has only letters and numbers, no special characters, accents, etc.  Don't change any of the default settings in that new account, just create it and try to launch the game.

By the way, it's probably not the issue, but check your free storage as well.  In the same place where you found your specs, click the Storage tab and let me know how much is free.

I feel like progress is being made. I deleted the anti-virus software and created a new account. I’ve undone the bypass the installer as I initially thought it was getting stuck on the Sims 3 green diamond screen (photo attached), however after a while it says from EA there is a problem connecting to the server et. (All attached).

Is there an easy fix to this? I can now get to the actual Sims launcher screen and downloaded the update when they asked if wanted it. I’ve had to re edit both files again with my Mac graphic specs (Should I do the super patch again) or is there just a simple fix to this?

thank you!

I used one of your other tutorials on how to fix this error at it worked!!!! Am I safe to install the other DLC’s?

thank you so much 

do you have a paypal- wouldn’t mind sending you a fiver haha for all your help

@jossmurphy2  I take it you found the paul.dll workaround?  I'm so glad to hear the game is running now.  (By the way, World Adventures and High-End Loft Stuff are also affected by this error, but not the later packs.)

Yes, it's safe to install your packs now.  However, four of them (Ambitions, Late Night, Fast Lane, and Outdoor Living) require additional steps to work.  Luckily, these are simpler than what you've already done, and pretty reliable.  The first step is to create an alias for each of those packs that doesn't already have on in Applications\The Sims 3.

https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-packs-not-showing-as-installed/

The second is to copy a folder from each affected pack in to the folder for your newest pack by release date.  So if you own Into the Future, that's where the folders need to go.  (Each other pack needs to have a folder there, but one will be created for any other pack you own besides the four affected ones.)  This video shows how to move the folders:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/CURRENT-ISSUE-Sims-3-Unknown-Error-in-El-Capitan-and-later-OS/m-p/5725514#M4852

If you're not sure what goes where, just list the packs you'd like to install, and I can describe what to do with more specificity.

And I'm just glad to help, and hoping that you do get to enjoy this game after all the work you've put in.