Sims 3 Freezing - Merged Package files & Sunset Valley

I am on a mix of Origin downloads and discs but I mainly use the downloads from Origin

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Business (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.150312-1556)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Latitude D630
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A19
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7250 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory: 2038MB RAM
Page File: 2614MB used, 1713MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

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Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A02&SUBSYS_01F91028&REV_0C
Display Memory: 358 MB
Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
Shared Memory: 358 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 800 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: igdumd32.dll
Driver Version: 7.14.0010.1409 (English)
DDI Version: 9Ex
BGRA Supported: Yes
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/31/2008 06:46:42, 2580480 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-6942-11CF-1976-F321ADC2CA35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2A02
SubSys ID: 0x01F91028
Revision ID: 0x000C
Revision ID: 0x000C
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeWMV9_B ModeVC1_B
Deinterlace Caps: {BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{BF752EF6-8CC4-457A-BE1B-08BD1CAEEE9F}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_EdgeFiltering
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY VideoProcess_AlphaBlend DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

----------------
Gameport Devices

(removed)

Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 13.7 GB
Total Space: 122.1 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: TOSHIBA MK1661GSYFN ATA Device

Drive: D:
Free Space: 29.6 GB
Total Space: 30.5 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: TOSHIBA MK1661GSYFN ATA Device

Drive: E:
Model: TSSTcorp CDRWDVD TSL462D ATA Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.00.6002.18005 (English), 4/10/2009 21:39:18, 67072 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
Name: Intel(R) Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_4229&SUBSYS_11208086&REV_61\4&20F6FA48&0&00E1
Driver: n/a

Name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A03&SUBSYS_01F91028&REV_0C\3&12559E13&0&11
Driver: n/a

Name: Mobile Intel(R) 965 Express Chipset Family
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A02&SUBSYS_01F91028&REV_0C\3&12559E13&0&10
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\igdkmd32.sys, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:42, 2016256 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igdumd32.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:42, 2580480 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igklg400.dll, 3/31/2008 06:46:50, 1953696 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igklg450.dll, 3/31/2008 06:46:50, 1533360 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igmedcompkrn.dll, 3/31/2008 06:46:52, 104636 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\iglhxs32.vp, 3/31/2008 06:46:52, 27152 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\iglhxo32.vp, 3/31/2008 06:46:50, 2096 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\iglhxc32.vp, 3/31/2008 06:46:50, 2096 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hccutils.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:40, 102400 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxsrvc.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:48, 48128 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxsrvc.exe, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:48, 256536 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxpph.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:44, 204800 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxcpl.cpl, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:42, 122880 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxcfg.exe, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:42, 530968 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxdev.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:44, 200704 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxdo.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:44, 135168 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxtray.exe, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:50, 141848 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxzoom.exe, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:50, 170520 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\hkcmd.exe, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:40, 166424 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxress.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:46, 3293184 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxpers.exe, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:44, 133656 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxTMM.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:50, 241664 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxext.exe, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:44, 170520 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxexps.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:44, 24576 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\oemdspif.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:47:00, 69632 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxrchs.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:46, 110592 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxrcht.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:46, 110592 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxrdeu.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:46, 192512 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxrenu.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:46, 172032 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxresp.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:46, 188416 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxrfra.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:46, 184320 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxrita.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:48, 188416 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxrjpn.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:48, 131072 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxrkor.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:48, 126976 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxrptb.lrc, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:48, 180224 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\ig4icd32.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:42, 2416640 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\ig4dev32.dll, 7.14.0010.1409 (English), 3/31/2008 06:46:42, 1658880 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\igfxCoIn_v1409.dll, 3/31/2008 06:46:52, 147456 bytes

Name: Mobile Intel(R) PM965/GM965/GL960 Express Processor to DRAM Controller - 2A00
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2A00&SUBSYS_01F91028&REV_0C\3&12559E13&0&00
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) ICH8M Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 2850
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2850&SUBSYS_01F91028&REV_02\3&12559E13&0&F9
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\intelide.sys, 6.00.6001.18000 (English), 1/20/2008 22:23:26, 17976 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\pciidex.sys, 6.00.6002.18005 (English), 4/10/2009 23:32:54, 43496 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys, 6.00.6002.18005 (English), 4/10/2009 23:32:28, 19944 bytes
Driver: C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\ataport.sys, 6.00.6002.18005 (English), 4/10/2009 23:32:44, 109032 bytes

I followed the tutorial and moved everything one by one - I was able to play in new worlds for more than an hour (until I got bored) but my Sunset Valley game that I've been playing technically since a year (or longer...) seems to still have the freezing

With or without the custom content.

So I think it may be a sign that I need to start fresh? 

I think it probably is corrupted for good. You can save your family by loading, going into edit town and saving a copy of them to your library and then placing them in a new town. It's not great, but it's better than losing them all together. 

what Sandarcher said  and if you want to see if you can help it you can try these once you remove a mod the cache files need to be cleared out and the same if you add a mod 

to delete the cach files go to electronic arts/the sims 3/

•CasPartCache.package
•compositorCache.package
•scriptCache.package
•simCompositorCache.package
•socialCache.package.package

it's safe to delete these files as a new ones will regenerate

then go to electronicsarts/thesims3/saves open that save folder and see if any files there end in .bad if they do delete them as they are no good and a waste of space THEN the save that is giving you an issue copy the save file and the backup  file of that save to the desktop for now to have a backup of the game

then in the saves folder rename the backup to something simple like for example TEST.sims3 launch your game and and find the renamed save game in the main menu TEST and launch it to play , play for a few mins to let the game settle down a bit once it ettles i would also try the reset all Sims cheat too in case a stuck Sims somewhere in the world

to reset all sims ctrl+shift+c hold all 3 together in the menu bar that appears at the top of the screen type in resetsim * (inculding the * hit enter ) this will reset all Sims including your own make sure your own aren't doing anything important cancel their action q