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Re: 🛠️ Creating a symlink in macOS to store the Sims 4 folder on an external drive

@renaabean wrote:

Hi again!

So, I actually found your video on Youtube and I followed every step and it turned out when I first downloaded Sims to my external hard drive, it created a symlink that is titled "Electronic Arts" which was modified on December 31st, 1969 ?? But, it's not a folder.. I have no clue what it is. When I click on it, an error comes up that says "The operation can't be completed because the original item for 'Electronic Arts' can't be found"

The symllinked file you created is correct but it cannot find the original folder moved to the external drive. This could be because you have launched the game without having the drive plugged in.

In the video, I noticed that you had the EA folder on your internal hard drive at first, and you were able to successfully relocate it to your external drive, but I never had it downloaded to my internal hard drive in the first place because I didn't have space.

So, I followed this video last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP4yTEIyyBk&t=584s&pp=ygUbc2ltcyBvbiBleHRlcm5hbCBoYXJkIGRyaXZl As a result, I was able to get it working for a while.. until it stopped this week.

You absolutely did have the Electronic Arts folder on your internal drive initially, it would never be created anywhere else. The video you followed is using my written guide to create the symlink and it worked for you.

When I went back to follow your steps, it didn't work. As.. I never had a document there to begin with. Is there any hope? Do I have to just start over?

No it didn't because you already have a functioning symlink. Reverse it and do it again.

4 Replies

renaabean
2 years ago
I followed your reversal instructions, and I am still getting the error. :-(
In the second screenshot, I copied the codes exactly while substituting my external hard drive's name - I just cut it off for privacy purposes.
I think there is something deeper going on perhaps, and maybe I just have to start all over- I have no clue.
Bluebellflora
Hero+
2 years ago
@renaabean

There should be no personal info in the actual Terminal commands so I'm not sure what you're referring to? Your computer name will show in the prompt but I don't need that info. In your second screenshot it shows Document, not Documents, when entering the command.

Do you have iCloud Drive and Optimise Mac Storage enabled to store your Documents folder in the cloud?

The 1969 date can be a sign of a dead battery on the logic board, (not the laptop battery). Sometimes it can happen when the Mac has been off for several months and hasn't yet connected to the internet since being charged up again, or it is completely dead. Have you been having problems with it? Which exact model Mac is it?
renaabean
2 years ago
Yeah my first and last name were in the terminal so I decided to crop it out :-)

this is actually a new computer for me! It’s the Mac M1 2020.

I wanted to thank you so much for your help! I honestly just erased everything and started over from the beginning and I think I know what I did wrong the first time around.
I also think I was downloading a lot of custom content and mods without being careful. if any issues arise I’ll refer back to your website. Thank you again!

my game is now running smoothly!
♡´･ᴗ･`♡
Bluebellflora
Hero+
2 years ago
@renaabean

Ah ok, great 🙂 If this is a new Mac for you, did you buy it secondhand or "refurbished" or buy brand new, as in a sealed Apple box? Just wondering because the 1969 date is concerning on such a new machine, unless it's been off for a very long time.