Re: Into the Future Crash[Mac]

@Bluebellflora

System Info:

Operating System: OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Model: Macbook Pro 13-inch (mid 2012)

Processor: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5

Memory: 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB

No I am not running anti-virus, Spotify or Time Machine. I have dropbox on my computer, but I don't think I have it open or running.

Yes ma'am, I am up to date. That was definitely the first thing I checked (that was about the extent of my troubleshooting knowledge 😉)

I do have some custom content, not much. I will try un-installing them.

Expansion/Stuff Packs:

World Adventures

High-End Loft Stuff

Ambitions

Late Night

Generations

Town Life

Pets

Seasons

University

Island Paradise

Into the Future

Also, I have included a picture of what pops up when it crashes, not sure if this will be of any help.

@Bluebellflora

Also, my current Sims house is custom content... what will happen if I uninstall??

@bmelendez11

Can you try purging RAM right before you use the Travel Portal?

@bmelendez11

The game will not load the CC, the house should be fine. Copy your saves folder just in case.

@Bluebellflora

I loaded the game (without uninstalling CC) and tried the "sudo purge." My memory actually increased.... 

I will try uninstalling CC next

@Bluebellflora

how do I save my saves file? Which file is it??

@bmelendez11

Yes, the available memory increases 🙂

Your saves folder is in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3. Just copy the whole folder.

@Bluebellflora Hey sorry for the LONG awaited reply. I tried running the game without CC and it still crashed while loading the Future. Any other suggestions?

@bmelendez11

Moving out the whole Sims 3 folder from Documents > Electronic Arts and starting with a new, clean game. If it works you can then add your CC back in bit by bit testing that it all works ok and isn't causing the issue. You can then move your saves back too. BTW, how big are your save files? The game will be struggling with your 4Gb RAM, it has a 2Gb limit which it will reach just by opening the Launcher. If you have other stuff open on your Mac, even stuff running in the background like Spotify/Dropbox, these will use system resources. ITF, like Seasons and Pets, is very greedy and demands a lot from your Mac.

@Bluebellflora

my saves folder is 3.42GB..... Thats a lot right? 

I also realized that dropbox was running in the background.. Im closing that now. Will that help a lot?

@bmelendez11

3.42Gb? Not Mb? That's HUGE! Do you use a lot of CC? Closing Dropbox may help a little but not a huge amount.

Yeah it definitely says GB.... Thats the problem right?

So I should probably start a new fresh game? Thats fine with me.... but is there any way to save some of my community & residential lots that I've built? What about sims? Would uploading them to the exchange help?

And no I don't use that much CC. Barely any. Does items that I purchased on the Sims 3 Store count? I use those more than CC, but again, not a massive amount

@bmelendez11

How big is your Mods folder? And your Downloads folder in the Electronic Arts > Sims 3

@Bluebellflora

My downloads folder is 351.9MB

and I don't see a mods folder, is this normal?

@bmelendez11

If you're not using Mods then that's fine.

Try a completely clean game by moving out the Sims 3 folder as before. If it's still crashing I think it's most probably your Mac, it's not powerful enough to run the game with all the EPs installed ☹️

@Bluebellflora

I think I am going to just start a new game. I would like to save some lots and sims and stuff before I do so. What would be the best way to do that? The exchange? Or is there a way to save certain files?

@bmelendez11

Save your Sims 3 folder in Documents > Electronic Arts. Your saves are in there. If you export your Sims and houses as if you were going to upload them to the Exchange they will show up in the Exports folder so you have those saved too.

@Bluebellflora

Forgive me but I'm a little confused. I'm guessing my massive Saves folder us the issue right? If it is, I wanted to start completely over with a new game. Does this mean just delete my neighborhood and start a new one? Then I'll keep all my lots and stuff?

I've never messed with moving folders around and stuff, so I'm not sure what moving my Sims folder out of Documents eve means. Would you mind explaining that to me? 

@bmelendez11

The best way to start a new, clean, uncluttered game is to move out the Sims 3 folder from Documents > Electronic Arts onto your desktop and relaunch the game. The folder is recreated with no saves/CC/Mods/Downloads and the default graphics. It's like a brand new game only without the uninstalling and reinstalling of the actual game. Launch the game and play around a bit to check it's working ok. Once you're happy with it you can start reintroducing your store content and downloads.

@Bluebellflora

OH! okay! That sounds great. So is there any way at all to save some lots and sims? What about my "design tool" stuff? If not I can try my best to recreate them

@bmelendez11

As I explained in my previous post, save them to the Library in game then 'share' them. They will be saved to the Exports folder in the Sims 3 folder. You can then install them into your new game.

Not sure what you mean by design tool stuff?

@Bluebellflora

So they'll be saved in the exports folder in my "old" Sims 3 file? Do I just go in and drag them to my new game file?  

Sorry, by design tool I mean how you can edit objects to whatever colors and patterns you would like... I can't remember the actual name of it. Do you know what I'm talking about?

@bmelendez11

Yes, in your old TS3 folder. You can double click them and they should install into your new game.

And I think you mean the Create a Style (CASt) tool? I would just save items with the patterns on them, as if you were going to upload them, and they'll show up in your Exports folder.

@Bluebellflora

Hello again 🙂 It has been a while - I have been extremely busy as of late. I won't bore you with the details but I have messed around with my game and nothing seems to work. I finally moved my saves folder out of the EA Games folder and started a fresh game. I created a family but when I went to move them in a house, the game crashed. I remember you telling me that if it didn't work after moving my saves folder, that its my Mac. 

I've been really thinking about that and I just don't think that could be... I had been playing Sims 3 on my Mac for about 6 months with no issue. It started when I bought the Into The Future EP. Around that time, though I had bought some other things in the Sims 3 Store.. Could any of that contribute? I'm upset that I can't play my game anymore! It just doesn't make sense.