Tech Responders - Break Room
UPDATE - Hi all, i thought i update this first posting to encourage any person helping others here to stop by to at least say, hi. Also if you have any good insight/solution to a problem plagu...
Forum Discussion
I have revised my suggested procedure for patching and added a section on uninstalling and reinstalling. I tried to make it simpler and step by step so that people with all levels of computer and game expertise can use it.
Please review it and advise me:
1. Is this even worth pursuing or even posting? A lot of us are saying the same thing.
2. If this is worth continuing to mess with are there any errors?
3. Are there any changes that would make it more helpful, simpler or more complete?
4. To restate my first question, Should I just forget about it?
SUGGESTED PROCEEDURE TO INSTALL A PATCH, EXPANSION OR STUFF PACK
Assumptions:
This procedure is for a PC running Windows XP, Win 7 Pro and Win 8 Pro.
Your machine meets or exceeds the required specifications to run the game.
You use discs, but it should work with Origin and Steam.
My installation is a standard install to C:\
You are not using any “no CD cracks” or anything but a 100% EA base game, expansion or stuff pack installation.
This procedure has worked for me ever since patch 1.34 and is offered to help the community. If there are any errors I invite corrections.
1. Open the launcher and go to Game Updates. That’s the last button on the launcher dialog box. You will see a check box labeled Automatic Updates. Uncheck that box. You will be notified when there is an update. When an update is released you will get a notification and an option to apply the update. When you see that notification DON’T do the update/patch yet, go to the next step.
2. Update Origin. Either launch Origin and allow it to automatically update or go here—http://www.origin.com/download and manually update it. Once it is updated go to the next step.
3. Navigate to (My) Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3. Either move this folder to your desk top or rename it to The Sims 3 old. The reason that I recommend that you do this is that this folder, also called the User Data Folder, is the “working” folder for your game. It contains your user input, saved games, custom content and any mods you may have. In many cases something that can stop the patching or installation is found here so it is best to get it out of the way so that it won’t interfere with the patching or installation.
4. Once Origin has updated it’s time to install the patch. Go back to the Launcher and select the box to download the incremental patch. The patch will down load and install.
If the patch fails, EA has put out bad patches in the past, don’t panic. You need to install the Super Patch. The Super Patch is an official EA patch so don’t be afraid to use it if you have to.
A failed incremental patch may overwrite only some of the actual game files in contained in Program Files and corrupt your installation. You may not even be able to launch the Launcher. The Super Patch will force an overwrite of all the files and (hopefully) correct the failed incremental patch installation. You can get the super patch here-- http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/175477.page It’s stickied in the Sims 3 web site in Forums-General Discussion-Technical Discussions as the very first item. Super Patches are quite large. The last one for patch 1.50 was 1.2 GB so expect a long download. When it finishes downloading it will be a self-executable file. Double click on it and it will install. You may have to install it as an administrator. Neither the incremental nor the super patch should corrupt any of your saved games.
Once the patch installs go to the next step.
5. Launch the game. The game will generate a new (my) Documents\Electronic Arts\ The Sims 3 folder. It will be pristine and should play. It will not have your downloads, mods, settings or any user files, but that’s OK and exactly what we want at this point. Everything that you really want like your saved games is safe and sound in either The Sims 3 folder on your desktop or in The Sims 3 old folder you renamed, just waiting to be restored. Do as extensive a test of the game as you want. You might try to see if the patch has corrected any game bugs. When you are finished exit the game. Do not put your old The Sims 3 folder back yet. Go to the next step.
6. Now install the expansion or stuff pack. Test it to make sure it works. Play a test game. Create Sims and do anything else you want to test the installation and check out new features. Once you are satisfied that the new installation works you can exit the game. Go to the next step.
7. So now we have a good installation and we know that the game is working properly. It’s now time to put The Sims 3 old folder back. This can get tricky because some of the files in the old folder may not be compatible with the new patch or expansion pack. At a minimum you can expect to have to update your mods, if you have any. Once you have updated everything, go to the next step.
8. Delete new The Sims 3 folder that the game created when you tested your installation. If you move your old The Sims 3 folder to your desktop you can move it back. If you renamed The Sims 3 folder to The Sims 3 old, delete the word “old”. Go to the next step.
9. Launch the game. It should work. If it doesn’t, but it worked fine with your test games, then that means that you still have a bad file or files in The Sims 3 folder that you will have to troubleshoot, but you know that your installation is OK and that the game works. What you can do allow the game to create a new The Sims 3 folder and then selectively move folders from the old folder into the new folder testing as you go.
10. BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING TIP. If you are having trouble with your game, navigate to Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 and rename The Sims 3 to The Sims 3 old then launch the game and test it. This simple procedure restores the game to new and insures that there is nothing that you have done that is causing the game trouble. (Don’t simply load to the main menu and stop there. By test I mean start a new game. Use Riverview for example. Create a Sim and play with all the options. If you had a glitch with The Sims 3 old folder, try to recreate it.) If you are having problems in the test game, freezing, crashing etc. then you will have to do more advanced trouble shooting, but at least you will know that the problem is not of your creation and it really is an EA or computer problem.
11. Uninstall and Re-install. Remember you almost never need to do this. Moving or renaming the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder will act as a complete uninstall and reinstall.
Nevertheless, assume that the worst has happened and your core folders and files have been corrupted. You have tried everything. I feel your pain, been there and done that, as they say. Let me set out what has worked for me. This procedure assumes that you have discs. You will need to adjust it if you are using Origin or Steam. Depending on the number of expansion and stuff packs you have this will take about 5 or 6 hours. So get some snacks and your favorite beverage. A book to read is optional.
a. Go to this web page and down load the free version of Revo Uninstaller. http://www.revouninstaller.com/index.html It will uninstall the program and then clean up any leftover folders, files and registry entries. Go to the next step.
b. Install Revo Uninstaller, but don’t run it yet. Go to the next step.
c. Move or copy and paste your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder to your desk top. Don’t rename it, MOVE IT. Go to the next step.
e. Using Revo Uninstaller uninstall all the Sims 3 expansion and stuff packs and the base game. Go to the next step.
e. Once everything is uninstalled, reinstall the base game. Go to the next step.
f. Patch the base game to the latest patch as set out in my guide. (Don’t fight it. You can limp along with an earlier patch for a while, but as time passes EA will add more things that require the latest patch so, at some point, you will be forced to update.) Go to the next step.
g. Play a test game to check the installation. It will create a new Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3. Leave this new folder in place for the time being. Test however you want to make sure the game is functioning correctly. If it is, go to the next step.
h. Reinstall the expansions and stuff packs. I reinstall them in order, a lot of very knowledgeable people say that you can install them in any order. It’s your choice. If you use discs you must play with the last issued expansion or stuff pack that you have, so I would install that one last. You should not need to re-patch. If you get a warning that your base game is newer than the expansion or stuff patch ignore it and proceed with the installation. Leave the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 alone. You may want to periodically play a test game to make sure everything is working correctly. Some recommend a test game after each installation. Regardless this is going to take a long time (depending on how many expansion and stuff packs you have) so get some snacks and your favorite beverage. A book to read is optional. Go to the next step.
i. Once you have reinstalled everything, play a final test game. Really wring it out. Do everything you can think of (or want) to test. If everything works go to step j. Go to the next step.
j. Delete the new Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder and put your old one back. Make sure it is updated. You should be up and running.
Good luck
Please review it and advise me:
1. Is this even worth pursuing or even posting? A lot of us are saying the same thing.
2. If this is worth continuing to mess with are there any errors?
3. Are there any changes that would make it more helpful, simpler or more complete?
4. To restate my first question, Should I just forget about it?
SUGGESTED PROCEEDURE TO INSTALL A PATCH, EXPANSION OR STUFF PACK
Assumptions:
This procedure is for a PC running Windows XP, Win 7 Pro and Win 8 Pro.
Your machine meets or exceeds the required specifications to run the game.
You use discs, but it should work with Origin and Steam.
My installation is a standard install to C:\
You are not using any “no CD cracks” or anything but a 100% EA base game, expansion or stuff pack installation.
This procedure has worked for me ever since patch 1.34 and is offered to help the community. If there are any errors I invite corrections.
1. Open the launcher and go to Game Updates. That’s the last button on the launcher dialog box. You will see a check box labeled Automatic Updates. Uncheck that box. You will be notified when there is an update. When an update is released you will get a notification and an option to apply the update. When you see that notification DON’T do the update/patch yet, go to the next step.
2. Update Origin. Either launch Origin and allow it to automatically update or go here—http://www.origin.com/download and manually update it. Once it is updated go to the next step.
3. Navigate to (My) Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3. Either move this folder to your desk top or rename it to The Sims 3 old. The reason that I recommend that you do this is that this folder, also called the User Data Folder, is the “working” folder for your game. It contains your user input, saved games, custom content and any mods you may have. In many cases something that can stop the patching or installation is found here so it is best to get it out of the way so that it won’t interfere with the patching or installation.
4. Once Origin has updated it’s time to install the patch. Go back to the Launcher and select the box to download the incremental patch. The patch will down load and install.
If the patch fails, EA has put out bad patches in the past, don’t panic. You need to install the Super Patch. The Super Patch is an official EA patch so don’t be afraid to use it if you have to.
A failed incremental patch may overwrite only some of the actual game files in contained in Program Files and corrupt your installation. You may not even be able to launch the Launcher. The Super Patch will force an overwrite of all the files and (hopefully) correct the failed incremental patch installation. You can get the super patch here-- http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/175477.page It’s stickied in the Sims 3 web site in Forums-General Discussion-Technical Discussions as the very first item. Super Patches are quite large. The last one for patch 1.50 was 1.2 GB so expect a long download. When it finishes downloading it will be a self-executable file. Double click on it and it will install. You may have to install it as an administrator. Neither the incremental nor the super patch should corrupt any of your saved games.
Once the patch installs go to the next step.
5. Launch the game. The game will generate a new (my) Documents\Electronic Arts\ The Sims 3 folder. It will be pristine and should play. It will not have your downloads, mods, settings or any user files, but that’s OK and exactly what we want at this point. Everything that you really want like your saved games is safe and sound in either The Sims 3 folder on your desktop or in The Sims 3 old folder you renamed, just waiting to be restored. Do as extensive a test of the game as you want. You might try to see if the patch has corrected any game bugs. When you are finished exit the game. Do not put your old The Sims 3 folder back yet. Go to the next step.
6. Now install the expansion or stuff pack. Test it to make sure it works. Play a test game. Create Sims and do anything else you want to test the installation and check out new features. Once you are satisfied that the new installation works you can exit the game. Go to the next step.
7. So now we have a good installation and we know that the game is working properly. It’s now time to put The Sims 3 old folder back. This can get tricky because some of the files in the old folder may not be compatible with the new patch or expansion pack. At a minimum you can expect to have to update your mods, if you have any. Once you have updated everything, go to the next step.
8. Delete new The Sims 3 folder that the game created when you tested your installation. If you move your old The Sims 3 folder to your desktop you can move it back. If you renamed The Sims 3 folder to The Sims 3 old, delete the word “old”. Go to the next step.
9. Launch the game. It should work. If it doesn’t, but it worked fine with your test games, then that means that you still have a bad file or files in The Sims 3 folder that you will have to troubleshoot, but you know that your installation is OK and that the game works. What you can do allow the game to create a new The Sims 3 folder and then selectively move folders from the old folder into the new folder testing as you go.
10. BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING TIP. If you are having trouble with your game, navigate to Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 and rename The Sims 3 to The Sims 3 old then launch the game and test it. This simple procedure restores the game to new and insures that there is nothing that you have done that is causing the game trouble. (Don’t simply load to the main menu and stop there. By test I mean start a new game. Use Riverview for example. Create a Sim and play with all the options. If you had a glitch with The Sims 3 old folder, try to recreate it.) If you are having problems in the test game, freezing, crashing etc. then you will have to do more advanced trouble shooting, but at least you will know that the problem is not of your creation and it really is an EA or computer problem.
11. Uninstall and Re-install. Remember you almost never need to do this. Moving or renaming the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder will act as a complete uninstall and reinstall.
Nevertheless, assume that the worst has happened and your core folders and files have been corrupted. You have tried everything. I feel your pain, been there and done that, as they say. Let me set out what has worked for me. This procedure assumes that you have discs. You will need to adjust it if you are using Origin or Steam. Depending on the number of expansion and stuff packs you have this will take about 5 or 6 hours. So get some snacks and your favorite beverage. A book to read is optional.
a. Go to this web page and down load the free version of Revo Uninstaller. http://www.revouninstaller.com/index.html It will uninstall the program and then clean up any leftover folders, files and registry entries. Go to the next step.
b. Install Revo Uninstaller, but don’t run it yet. Go to the next step.
c. Move or copy and paste your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder to your desk top. Don’t rename it, MOVE IT. Go to the next step.
e. Using Revo Uninstaller uninstall all the Sims 3 expansion and stuff packs and the base game. Go to the next step.
e. Once everything is uninstalled, reinstall the base game. Go to the next step.
f. Patch the base game to the latest patch as set out in my guide. (Don’t fight it. You can limp along with an earlier patch for a while, but as time passes EA will add more things that require the latest patch so, at some point, you will be forced to update.) Go to the next step.
g. Play a test game to check the installation. It will create a new Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3. Leave this new folder in place for the time being. Test however you want to make sure the game is functioning correctly. If it is, go to the next step.
h. Reinstall the expansions and stuff packs. I reinstall them in order, a lot of very knowledgeable people say that you can install them in any order. It’s your choice. If you use discs you must play with the last issued expansion or stuff pack that you have, so I would install that one last. You should not need to re-patch. If you get a warning that your base game is newer than the expansion or stuff patch ignore it and proceed with the installation. Leave the Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 alone. You may want to periodically play a test game to make sure everything is working correctly. Some recommend a test game after each installation. Regardless this is going to take a long time (depending on how many expansion and stuff packs you have) so get some snacks and your favorite beverage. A book to read is optional. Go to the next step.
i. Once you have reinstalled everything, play a final test game. Really wring it out. Do everything you can think of (or want) to test. If everything works go to step j. Go to the next step.
j. Delete the new Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder and put your old one back. Make sure it is updated. You should be up and running.
Good luck
