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GeoToxxin's avatar
GeoToxxin
3 years ago
Solved

Fresh install "missing or damaged" error

Okay so since the EA contact us page continues to redirect me every time i try to open a ticket about my issue this is the only other place I can think to come. I recently decided to get back into p...
pc
  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    3 years ago

    @GeoToxxin  Try playing in a new admin Windows account.  Make it a local account, as in, don't sign into Microsoft, and don't sync with any other services you normally use.  You'll be able to sign into the EA App and (try to) launch Sims 4 without needing to reinstall anything.

puzzlezaddict's avatar
puzzlezaddict
Hero+
3 years ago

@GeoToxxin  Please let me know what antivirus you use, if any.  Please also run a dxdiag and attach it to a post.

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/

Additionally, when you changed the file location, do you mean the install location for Sims 4?  If so, did you then install the game into a new folder on the root level of the drive (e.g. C:\Games) or into an already-existing folder and not on the root level (e.g. C:\Program Files\Games)?

GeoToxxin's avatar
GeoToxxin
3 years ago

I use Avast Antivirus and yes I changed the file install location to a external SSD drive that I have. File location is as follows: D:\EA Play\The Sims 4
The EA Play Folder was one I created to keep it separate from my Epic Game installs and Steam installs
DXDiag file is attached

Edit:
I also would like to mention I originally got the base game through Origin while it was free. This is my first time installing it using the EA App and I'm not sure if that would make any difference
and If it also makes any difference, these are the official dlc and addons I have for the sims 4
My First Pet Stuff
Jungle Adventure
Holiday Celebration Pack
Desert Luxe Kit
Cats & Dogs
Bonus Content

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    3 years ago

    @GeoToxxin  Your dxdiag lists a couple of crashes of the graphics driver, which is also somewhat old.  So please install the newest driver from Nvidia:

    https://www.nvidia.com/Download/driverResults.aspx/200382/en-us/

    Run the installer as an admin: right-click on the download and select "Run as administrator."  Choose the Custom (not Express) install, and check the box to perform a clean install.  Restart your computer after installing and before doing anything else.

    Please also set exceptions in Avast for TS4_x64.exe and EADesktop.exe:

    https://crinrict.com/blog/2020/10/add-exceptions-to-anti-virus-programs.html/#avast

    Then clear the EA App's cache:

    https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/

    and repair the game (again).  If this doesn't help, temporarily disable Avast, then clear the App's cache and repair yet again, and test the game once before reenabling Avast.

    • GeoToxxin's avatar
      GeoToxxin
      3 years ago

      Did everything you listed and I'm still getting the same error code.
      Updated my drivers cleared the EA app cache and my version of Avast, which was Avast one apparently, adds the antivirus but doesn't let me change anything about it so I removed it and I'm back to just the Windows Defender.
      I repaired the game, and deleted cache again and still got the same issue after everything
      when it gives me the crash error popup it tells me to repair or reinstall using Origin, not the EA app, could that have anything to do with it???

      • puzzlezaddict's avatar
        puzzlezaddict
        Hero+
        3 years ago

        @GeoToxxin  The error message hasn't been updated to reflect that the EA App is the only option in Windows.  It's not relevant here.

        With these other issues addressed, a clean uninstall and reinstall of both Sims 4 and the EA App might help; at least, it helps almost everyone with this error.  Start with Sims 4:

        • Put aside your Sims 4 folder in Documents\Electronic Arts and rename it to something that doesn't include the words "Sims 4."
        • Download Revo Uninstaller (the free version is fine) from here.
        • Launch Revo, select Sims 4 from the list, and click Uninstall.
        • Once the game is uninstalled, select "Moderate" under "scanning modes," and click Scan.
        • Review the list, in case there's something you want to save; otherwise, click Select All, and then Delete.
        • Close Revo, and restart your computer.

        Uninstall the EA App with Revo as well.  I don't have instructions for that at the moment, but the process should be straightforward.  Restart again when you're done.

        Install the EA App, then create another new folder into which you'll install Sims 4, i.e. not the already-existing D:\EA Play.  The folder should be on the root level of the drive of your choice, so for example D:\EA Games would be fine.

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