I am using a mac and I am reinstalling all of my sims 3 content including the base game through Origin. The base game and some expansions downloaded okay. But when I try to download "Seasons" and "Supernatural", both give me "no_cd_key" where the product code should be.
Also, when I try to download "University Life", "Pets", and "Into the future" nothing happens. I click download and nothing?
@MeganFord1213 For the packs with no code, how did you buy them? If you went through Origin, you might never have received codes at all, as is normal for players these days. You'd need to contact EA customer support to get the keys, but that should be easy—the rep could look up your purchase info and pass along the codes.
https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/
If you originally owned discs, the codes will be on the backs of the inserts inside the CD cases. Or, if you had the game installed previously on a different computer, you could find the codes via Terminal command. (This would work for any computer on which you have installed but haven't done a clean uninstall.)
https://bluebellflora.com/finding-your-serial-key-using-terminal/
Otherwise, EA support is the only option. Since the packs have been registered to your account, the codes will still be in their system.
For the packs that won't download, this workaround has been helpful:
I would contact EA customer support but the chat function no longer appears on their contact page. Maybe it is just because of the holidays? How do I contact them if the chat is not available?
I didn't have discs, I purchase the expansion packs online. The game was previously installed on a different computer but that was a PC running Windows. The Terminal command works on Macs. Is there a similar command that works on PC's running Windows?
I think the work around removes Origin completely? Should that be a last resort? Or is it okay to do that first?
@MeganFord1213 The way to find codes in Windows is to look in the registry; here's a guide:
https://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2013/09/how-to-find-your-serial-number.html
But depending on when you bought the game, you might not have received codes. In that case, you'd still need to contact EA support. If they weren't here today, they should be back tomorrow, but I can check on that for you. It would also help to set your location to U.S., if you haven't already.
The workaround for packs that won't download doesn't remove Origin from the process (and besides, you need to install TS3). What you do is run the Origin reset tool for macs, which removes its cache files and saved preferences. Then you sign in and uncheck the box to automatically keep Origin and your games up to date. Then, you go into Application Settings and re-enable automatic game updates, and quit. When you sign in again, Origin will automatically offer you the downloads of each pack you haven't installed.
Of course, to install those packs in mac OS, you still need your codes. But whether you can find them in your old computer's registry or not, you still own them, and EA support should provide them when asked. If you have any trouble with this, let me know, and I'll try to get someone more official to respond.
@MeganFord1213 The unknown error message pretty much to be expected when installing TS3 in mac OS. It has several causes, depending on your hardware and the packs you've installed. This guide explains all the steps necessary to get the game running:
Alternately, you could post your mac's specs here, along with a list of your expansion and stuff packs, and I could give you advice specific to your situation. Here's how to find your specs:
High Sierra version 10.13.6
MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2010)
Processor 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 DUO
Memory 4GB 1067 MHz DDR3
NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256 MB
Don't think I am running any antivirus
Expansion Packs: Ambitions, Generations, Into the Future, Island Paradise,Late Night, Pets, Seasons, Supernatural, University Life, World Adventures
Stuff Packs: High End Loft, Outdoor Living
Do I use CC/Mods? I don't know - what are they?
@MeganFord1213 If you don't know what mods are, you definitely haven't installed any. Custom content wouldn't cause an unknown error, either.
The good news is, your graphics card is in fact supported, so you can skip the most complicated fix for the unknown error. That leaves two steps. But first, run the Super Patch (digital download version) to patch the game to 1.67, if you haven't already. The launcher doesn't always do a thorough job of patching on its own, and the Super Patch won't hurt.
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-manual-super-patch-for-mac-1-67/
The first fix for the unknown error is to create an alias for each pack that doesn't already have one in Applications, alongside the alias for the base game. For you, those packs are probably Ambitions, Late Night, and Outdoor Living. Creating an alias is easy enough:
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-packs-not-showing-as-installed/
The next step is a bit more complicated: You need to copy files from each of those same three packs into the folder for Into the Future, which is your newest pack by release date (since it's the last one released). This video shows exactly what to do:
After you've done all this, your game should launch. If it doesn't, the other workaround is to bypass the launcher:
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-how-to-bypass-the-launcher-on-a-mac/
I will say though that I don't think your computer will run TS3 very well, especially with Pets and Seasons in the picture. You have a dedicated graphics card, which is good, but it's old and was never one of the strongest models. Your 4 GB RAM will need to be shared between the game and your operating system, and High Sierra will claim a lot of memory for itself. But even if it didn't, TS3 in mac OS can only use 2 GB RAM at a time before crashing. Running the most demanding packs (Pets, Seasons, then Into the Future and Island Paradise) may put you close to the RAM limit as soon as you load a new game. Purging RAM will help a bit, but it's not really a solution.
https://bluebellflora.com/resetting-ram-during-gameplay/
Anyway, I hope you are able to play, at least a bit. Turning down your graphics options will help, as will disabling memories and the hidden object interactive loading screens. After the first time you launch, you should only play while your computer is disconnected from the internet; otherwise, EA servers will take up some of your computer's resources. And, of course, don't have anything else running while you play.
It is not letting me install the super patch. I get a message: "You cannot apply this patch on this version of the application. Please re-install."
I am very frustrated. I have spent many many hours attempting to get it to play. Maybe I don't have enough RAM but I just want it to launch and play.
Please help. If I need to re-install please tell me how.
@MeganFord1213 When you launch the Super Patch, you need to select the base game icon in Applications, not the icons for any of the packs, and not the folder for the base game either. If you double-click on that folder, or click on any of the pack icons, you'll get that error message.
