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Anonymous's avatar
Anonymous
8 years ago
Solved

Installing Sims4 on a PC with no CD drive - from USB

Hi,

My son was given the CD version of Sims4 for his birthday. Unfortunately he does not have a CD drive on his PC.

I tried copying the files on a USB memory stick but there are two CDs and there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to run the installation from end to end.

I am trying the download version but we are on rural broadband and 11 GB will take about two days to download!!

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Jason

pc
  • EA_David's avatar
    EA_David
    8 years ago

    @DarthJarJar808 Hey, you mention trying to copy files with a USB stick. This indicates you have a system with a CD drive, and you can move the files across. However you would need to install the game on the 2nd system.

    I'm assuming the product code is already redeemed on your son's account? If not, do so now, and install Origin on the system with the CD drive. Log into your son's account and you should see The Sims 4 there. You can use the discs to install the game on this machine now, it should save on download time and data usage. There will be some patching/updates at the end so this could still take a while. 

    Once it completes you can close Origin, then go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games (or wherever you installed to) and copy the whole The Sims 4 folder onto the USB stick. If there's not enough space you can move the components across piecemeal, as long as the folder winds up with the same contents after the transfer.

    Now back on your son's system log into Origin and start the install. You can cancel this immediately, we just wanted the process to start so that it would create a default install path, which is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games.

    Within the Origin Games folder you can now overwrite the new The Sims 4 folder with the version from your USB stick.

    Once this completes you can go to the games library in Origin, click "Origin" in the top left of the app then "Reload Page". There should be a quick install process and the game should be playable. 

4 Replies

  • Phantomlover1717's avatar
    Phantomlover1717
    Legend
    8 years ago

    You can just download Origin on origin.com, then log in to the client, go to 'Origin' in the menu, then redeem product code and use the code that came in the box with the game.

    After that, it will start downloading the game and installing it. If it doesn't have a look in the 'My Game Library' and download and install through there,
    If the CD drive is an issue more often I suggest getting one with a USB cable, you can just connect that and it works just the same.

  • FallenAngel1326's avatar
    FallenAngel1326
    New Hotshot
    8 years ago

    sort of buying external cd drive, why not go to library or hot spot location thier bandwith is much better might still take time but not as long as home. with u on this one had dial up sucks :D 

  • Phantomlover1717's avatar
    Phantomlover1717
    Legend
    8 years ago

    To add to @FallenAngel1326, if you do so, please make sure to use a secured hotspot and not a free one. Even a secured hotspot isn't very safe. Don't do anything important while connected and remove the hotspot from your device when done.

  • EA_David's avatar
    EA_David
    Icon for Community Admin rankCommunity Admin
    8 years ago

    @DarthJarJar808 Hey, you mention trying to copy files with a USB stick. This indicates you have a system with a CD drive, and you can move the files across. However you would need to install the game on the 2nd system.

    I'm assuming the product code is already redeemed on your son's account? If not, do so now, and install Origin on the system with the CD drive. Log into your son's account and you should see The Sims 4 there. You can use the discs to install the game on this machine now, it should save on download time and data usage. There will be some patching/updates at the end so this could still take a while. 

    Once it completes you can close Origin, then go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games (or wherever you installed to) and copy the whole The Sims 4 folder onto the USB stick. If there's not enough space you can move the components across piecemeal, as long as the folder winds up with the same contents after the transfer.

    Now back on your son's system log into Origin and start the install. You can cancel this immediately, we just wanted the process to start so that it would create a default install path, which is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games.

    Within the Origin Games folder you can now overwrite the new The Sims 4 folder with the version from your USB stick.

    Once this completes you can go to the games library in Origin, click "Origin" in the top left of the app then "Reload Page". There should be a quick install process and the game should be playable. 

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