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ladyxixi2000's avatar
ladyxixi2000
2 years ago

What is the installation process for loading package files with the EA App

Hello All, I've taken a long break, and when I popped on after finishing spring term, I discovered that Origin was no more. Sadly, I've had nothing but problems with my EA App, and customer services...
pc
technical issues
puzzlezaddict's avatar
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
2 years ago

@ladyxixi2000  Your .package files shouldn't be opened at all.  Sims3Packs can be double-clicked to start the install process, but that's a separate matter, and the files should never be inside Mods > Packages.  You can simply put Sims3Packs inside ...The Sims 3 > Downloads and install them through the launcher's Downloads tab.

For your actual .package files, they do need to be inside Mods > Packages, with only the Resource.cfg file directly inside Mods.  Please also make sure you're deleting the five cache files after adding new files and before trying to play.  For reference, these files are:

  • CASPartCache.package
  • compositorCache.package
  • scriptCache.package
  • simCompositorCache.package
  • socialCache.package

If that doesn't help, please post a screenshot of the contents of the folder they're in, as in, I'd like to see the file names themselves.  Include the address bar, above the list of files, in the screenshot.

ladyxixi2000's avatar
ladyxixi2000
2 years ago

Thank you for responding, Puzzlezaddict. I know that .package files shouldn't be opened at all, but the first day that I was forced to download the EA App, the ONLY thing that worked was to double-click on files one by one rn I'm thinking scrapping all my merge files, and starting over, but I hesitate due to worrying I don't have all of the original files. 

I am also unsure if the merge files are even showing up in-game because I've been adding downloads of anything in sims3packs. Not ideal for double-checking things. 

I got rid of all those cache files, several bin files, and the EA Featured Items thumbnails, among others. 

I'm shocked that no one else seems to be having this problem, my searches have turned up nothing that is my problem, exactly.  

I'm attaching two screenshots for you.

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @ladyxixi2000  If you move the Mods folder to the desktop, can you launch the game?  If so, please recreate the Mods framework, including a new Resource.cfg, download a fresh copy of one .package file known to work (an NRaas mod would be fine), and see whether it loads in-game.  Be sure to delete the cache files again.

    The .package file will of course not show in the launcher, as the launcher doesn't read the Mods folder, but it should show at the Main Menu.  And if you add almost any NRaas mod, you should see NRaas as an option when clicking City Hall, so you'll know whether it's working.  If it does work, you can add a couple of your existing .package files to the new Packages folder and test them too.  Check them out in CAS or Build/Buy to make sure they're loading properly.

    • ladyxixi2000's avatar
      ladyxixi2000
      2 years ago
      @puzzlezaddict Yes, my post came after I'd already done just that. Although yesterday, I took everything OUT of the Mods folder (but left the folder with it's most recent resource.cfg file, and the nobuildsparkle package and nointro package. I have consistently had nobuildsparkle work, but not the nointro. Then I added a stack of packages. *some* of the package files showed up in-game. When I put all my mods back in, I bet only a fraction of them show up. I just have a whole lot, so there's no way for me to remember them after I've entered the game, and it would be tedious in the extreme for me to poke thru everything and count them. I just know when I'm looking for something I know I have, I almost always can't find it anywhere in-game.
      • puzzlezaddict's avatar
        puzzlezaddict
        Hero+
        2 years ago

        @ladyxixi2000  The problem is that some of the .package files could be outdated or nonworking independent of your system.  If I knew which files were a problem for you, I could test them on my machines too, but that doesn't help you if you don't know which files to test.

        Please also let me know whether OneDrive is running on this system, and if so, whether you want it gone or just not interfering with Sims 3.  I have a guide that covers the various options here:

        https://answers.ea.com/t5/PC/CURRENT-ISSUE-Sims-4-saves-user-content-disappearing-PC/m-p/12475370

        OneDrive syncing could mess with your mods, and other user data, including preventing some but not all mods and cc from working at any given time.

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