Hello! I've noticed that there are a lot of methods for people getting the game to work with the Complete Edition or bundles - has anyone managed to get just the base game working on Windows 10? I was previously able to get this game working on my Windows XP computer, but this is now displaying the "The Sims has encountered an error and needs to close" error dialog upon attempting to open the game.

@danielr02 , I have helped a few people to reinstall their older games on their computers. Have you added any CC or mods lately? Please give me a few more details and we'll either get your game running again or installed on your main computer.

@Tremayne4260 Thank you so much for your offer of help! I do not use any CC or mods with any Sims game.The Windows 10 PC is 64-bit, on version 1909. 8GB ram, Intel® Core™ i7-4700MQ processor (2.40GHz). From memory, the attempt I have made to run the game on this PC, is downloading a modified version of The Sims.exe. With this and the original file, the program simply does not run - there is no error message.The Windows XP PC is service pack 3, 1GB ram with an Intel® CPU T2250 (1.72GHz). For this device, I have attempted using "/src /scannow" to see if there is a problem with the system files (nothing), tested other games such as SimCity and Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 (both work). I have also tried re-installing the game.Again, thank you so much for your offer of help! Hopefully this is information you were asking for 🙂

@Tremayne4260 Going to try this again as EA falsely marked my first attempt as spam and seem to have deleted it:Thank you so much for your very kind offer of help!My Win10 computer is 64-bit and running version 1909, with 8GB ram and 2.40GHz processor. The game appears to be a later copy as the base game has "(c) 2006" written on the back cover. I have attempted to use a modified sims.exe file as per YouTube tutorials, but that encounters the same issue as the normal sims.exe file - nothing happens after trying to run the game.My Windows XP is service pack 3, 1GB ram & 1.73GHz processor (more than the recommendation). I have attempted scanning system files for any errors, the registry and also tried installing other games like RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, which have all worked. Re-installing the game also has not worked. TS previously worked but now displays "The Sims has encountered a problem and needs to close" whenever an attempt to boot up the game has been made.Again, thank you so much for trying to help - hope this is the information that you need 🙂

@danielr02 , sounds like the modified Sims.exe file is the reason the game is not running. Are you trying to run the game with the CD not in the drive? Just trying to get more information to see what the problem is.

@Tremayne4260 No. Neither the new or old file run with or without the disc in the drive. I have checked Task Manager, the game does not appear at all.

The Sims (2000) on Windows 10 | EA Forums

18 Replies

danielr02
5 years ago
@Tremayne4260 Thank you. In some cases, the instances of set-up were the problem. However, the issue now is that set up now closes without any sort of dialog box whatsoever - after the installer has finished preparing, it just closes (disappears from Task Manager).

Afterwards, I attempted to run the file again (checked Task Manager to ensure that there were no other instances), and it has appeared with the error. Restarting my PC stops this message from appearing again, but problem #1 continunes to occur.
Tremayne4260
Hero
5 years ago
@danielr02 , I searched the internet to find ways to install and run older games on Windows 10. Since The Sims is 20 years old, there may be something in the coding that Window 10 doesn't like. Because of the forum rules, I can't always post links to solutions, but I do encourage you to do a Google search for "installing older games on Windows 10". There were several articles and YouTube videos on the subject.
danielr02
5 years ago
@Tremayne4260 Thank you! I will try this and let you know how I get on. Thanks again!
danielr02
5 years ago
For future reference (if anyone comes across this thread), I was able to fix the problem of the "Setup has detected that Uninstallshield is in use" error by navigating to C:\Windows and deleting IsUninst.exe. The launcher was running at the time therefore meaning that IsUninst.exe was not actually running.
However, the same error with the game not actually running is still continuing. I have tried running as admin, and also running as admin with Windows 7, Windows XP (SP3) and Win 98/ME under compatibility mode.
I also attempted to use a modified Sims.exe file (No CD), but both are appearing in the events log as APPCRASH.
@Tremayne4260 I did as you suggested and searched through Google, but it seems to bring up the same old admin/compatibility settings/no CD patch answer, which doesn't work.
Tremayne4260
Hero
5 years ago
@danielr02 , I'm not sure of any other suggestions to try at this point. It may be that the game is no longer playable on Windows 10. There may be another solution found on Leefish's forums as they mostly play Sims 2, but they may have other The Sims players who can help you get the game running. I'm sorry I wasn't more help, but I tried to think of everything I could to get the game to run.
danielr02
5 years ago
@Tremayne4260No problem - it's probably something related to SECDRV.SYS being removed from Windows 10 which can't be fixed. Thanks for your attempts at helping, anyway!
EDIT: I was able to get this game working on Windows XP - I installed Livin' Large and House Party and sure enough the game loaded (with several issues, but hey I'm just glad the game is finally working)
Tremayne4260
Hero
5 years ago
@danielr02 , wonderful! I'm glad you got it to run again. 🙂
40032901
2 years ago
What would be the best way of myself playing the sims complete collection through windows 10?

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The Sims (2000) on Windows 10

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