[FAQ] Current Patch - 1.67 - Manual links and more
PLEASE TAKE OUT YOUR MODS BEFORE UPDATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make sure to backup the folder in documents\electronicarts\thesims3 to a safe place. That's all your user data like your downloads and savegames. Patch Notes See here: http://www.thesims3.com/game/patches/-508283802 (make sure to set your country to US to read) How to install Download the patch to a place of your choice on your hard drive (don't choose to run it directly, download it first in case something goes wrong) Find the file and double click on it to install Wait until the patch is installed Done Patch Links Below you find the current manual patch links. This patches are NOT for Steam Users. Steam has it's own update system. If you have any troubles with the smaller incremental patch (like the Invalid File Found error), use the bigger Superpatch. If you are at a lower version than 1.66 right now, also use the super patch. If you already patched through the launcher, you don't need to use these. The manual links are for people that have issues getting the patch through the launcher or get errors with it. Super Patch Super Patch (All Regions), 1.7 GB Incremental from 1.66 Make sure to download the right region. The last two digits of your base game version will tell you your region. Region 1 (USA), 176,1 MB Region 2 (Europe, Australia & Rest of the world), 177.9 MB Region 3 (Asia), 176.1 MB Region 5 (Japan), 175.6 MB Region 17 (Digital Game Version), 179.8 MB Macs Super Patch Links Region 1 (USA), 1.7 GB Region 2 (EEurope, Australia & Rest of the world), 1.7 GB Region 3 (Asian), 1.7 GB Region 5 (Japan), 1.7 GB Region 17 (Digital Game Version), 1.7 GB Please read this post carefully. Links also availble: Official EA Download Links for The Sims 3 *Cumulative* Manual Update ------------------------------------ Did this FAQ help you with your issue ? If so, please consider pressing the XP button[FAQ] Lost and broken DVDs and missing serial codes - What to do ?
Lost/broken DVD but still have the serial code With your serial code, you are eligible for the download version of your game. You can download it through Origin and redeem your code. Instructions on how to do this can be found here: Redeem Your Serial Code in Origin Make sure to uninstall the DVD version and install the download version instead. Finding your Registration / Serial Code If you still have the game on your computer you can follow these steps to find your serial code from your registry (PC only). Credits of to Carl's Sims 3 Guide You need to be signed in as an Administrator first. Windows may require your permission to open the Registry Editor and if so, just click on yes. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type regedit in the search bar and press Enter. Click on 'File' at the top left of the window that opens then click on Export. Choose a location and name for the file as this will be your backup registry file. Click Save. This backup is created just as a precaution. Now to find your serial codes for each specific EP or SP installed on your computer: Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder. Expand the SOFTWARE folder (Wow6432Node for 64 bit systems) Expand the Electronic Arts folder. Expand the Sims folder Expand the EP or SP you need the code for Click on ergc and in the box to the right under 'Data' you will see the code Write it down somewhere save Repeat above steps for each EP --------------------- Instructions for Macs can be found here: Finding your serial key using Terminal ------------------- Finding the code on Origin If you registered the game on thesims3.com OR bought it on Origin, the serial code can be found in the myGames tab on the Origin client. Download the client from here http://origin.com/download, log in with your data and go to the MyGames tab. Hover over the game and find the i. The product code listed there is your serial number (it can be different from your original one if the game was bought before Origin came out) No access to the serial code If you lost your serial code and don't have the game installed on an old computer, you need to contact Customer Support. They can be found here: https://help.ea.com/contact-us You have the option to contact them by mail, phone or Live Chat. Make sure you have a game, a category and a platform selected for the options to become available. For Live Chat, make sure to choose US as your country. If you registered your game to your account, it should be easy to get the code. If not, they'll give you a new code if you can proof that you own the game. See this: Obtaining a Replacement Registration Code ------------------------------------ Did this FAQ help you with your issue ? If so, please consider pressing the XP button[FAQ] Troubleshooting Steps
There are several steps one can take to troubleshoot their own game before seeking help. There are some standard recipes that can help with several game problems. Resetting the game to factory settings without reinstalling Many problems can be pinpointed on custom content or corruption in your user data. There's an easy way to reset your game to factory settings without going through the ordeal of reinstalling the whole thing (Path can be different depending on your OS): Make a backup of theSims3 folder in Documents\ElectronicArts to an external drive (or burn it on a DVD or to a flash drive) Rename your theSims3 folder in Documents\ElectronicArts to Sims3_Backup Start the game or the launcher (All your save games will be gone, your options will be reset to factory settings and all your store content will be gone. Not to worry, it's all still there in that backup folder). A new Sims3 folder will have been recreated in your documents\electronicArts folder. Some folders might be missing for they are only created when you need them. Quit the game and the launcher Move the options.ini file from your backup folder to your newly created folder in documents\electronicArts\thesims3 to recover your graphic/sounds/gameplay options Start your game. You will need to start a new game for the other one is still missing right now. See if your error is gone. The Error is gone now Starting putting the folders back, starting with your saves. Check your game after every folder. This file UserPresets.package is all your custom styles you created in game, so you need to copy that one back as well. The files PassportData.package and ChallengeData.package contain your SimPort and Achievements progress. Make sure to put back. The folder Collections contains your collections. Make sure to put that back. If you find a mods folder in your documents folder, make sure you only put the stuff back that you know to be compatible ALL custom content can potentially cause problems. If you found out which folder is causing problems, put your stuff back in groups or one by one until you find the guilty party. Same Error still exists For Beginners Either make your own post, following the guidelines here: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/READ-FIRST-Help-us-Helpers-to-Help-you/td-p/255562/ or if you already have one and were referred here, post there. For Advanced Users Go to programs\electronicarts\thesims3 and make sure you DO NOT have a mods folder there. If you do, move that to your desktop. Also make sure that there is no resource.cfg on that level (there will be on in your gamebin folder, don’t delete that one). Repeat above step for every expansion you have. If you have the download version of the game through Origin, make sure there aren’t any left over installation files. They can be found here: programs\Origin Games\<name of the expansion>\__Installer. Keeping your Computer updated Out-dated graphic and sound drivers, missing Windows Service Packs and other components that are not up-to-date can cause problems with your game. Make sure you you update those regularly. Computer maintenance is important. Defrag your Computer, clean your Registry and get rid of temporary files on a regular basis. Also clean the ventilators from time to time and if you have a desktop open it up and clean it inside. Backup your important files. That goes for your music, your photos as well as your Sims User Files. You'll find the user files in Documents\ElectronicArts. Copy the whole folder to an external drive. Virus protection and Firewalls They are both very important and no Computer should be without. Nevertheless can they lead to issues. If you have trouble patching or the launcher doesn't work correctly, make sure you tell your Virus program/Firewall that the EA Site is safe. Disable it temporarily to find out if the firewall is the issue. Things you can try if you run into a problem within the game These tips are things you can try if you see any kind of weird behavior in your game. Use the cheat resetsim <firstname> <lastname> to reset a particular Sim in your town. You won't loose any progress, all it does is put the Sim to a safe location from where he can start acting again Use the cheat resetsim * to reset every single Sim in your town. Delete your Cache files: In Documents\ElectronicArts you'll find these files: CASPartCache.package, compositorCache.package, scriptCache.package, simCompositorCache.package. Those are cache files that are recreated on start up. Delete them from time to time. Restart the game or the computer Go to Edit Town and move your Sim out of his home and then back into the same one. If you have money troubles, use the cheat freerealestate. You need to enable the the cheat testingcheatsenabled true first. Go to Edit Town and save your Sim/family to the library. They will keep their skills and age and the relationship towards each other. Then start a new game and put the saved family into the game. You will loose all relationships you made with other Sims that are not in your family Load a backup game. Start a new game to see if the error is only happening in the current save game. Bypassing the launcher If you have issue with your launcher, you can bypass the launcher to start your game . Navigate to the following file (location my vary depending on your Operating System): \programs(x86)\electronicarts\thesims2\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe. Right-click on the file and choose create shortcut. If asked if you want to create it on your desktop, say yes. If it gets created somewhere else, just move the shortcut to your desktop. Start the game by double-clicking on the new shortcut Finding your Registration / Serial Code If you still have the game on your computer you can follow these steps to find your serial code from your registry (PC only). Credits fo to Carl's Sims 3 Guide You need to be signed in as an Adminstrator first. Windows may require your permission to open the Registry Editor and if so, just click on yes. 1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type regedit in the search bar and press Enter. 2. Click on 'File' at the top left of the window that opens then click on Export. 3. Choose a location and name for the file as this will be your backup registry file. 4. Click Save. 5. This backup is created just as a precaution. Now to find your serial codes for each specific EP or SP installed on your computer: Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder. Expand the SOFTWARE folder (Wow6432Node for 64 bit systems) Expand the Electronic Arts folder. Expand the Sims folder Expand the EP or SP you need the code for Click on ergc and in the box to the right under 'Data' you will see the code Write it down somewhere save Repeat above steps for each EP If you don't have the game on your computer anymore, you'll need to contact Customer Support. They are the only ones that can help. For support, please visit the EA Help website. For instructions on how to use the EA Help services, please refer to How to use EA Help. You have the option to contact them by mail, phone or Live Chat. For Live Chat, make sure to choose US as your country. Finding your game version See this post for details: How to find your game version Posting a question If you need help, make sure you post as much information as possible. Include your computer information and info about whether you use Custom Content or mods and what EPs you own. Please also state if you are on a PC or MAC and if you are using download version through Origin or Steam or DVD Version. Common Issues Lags & Freezes Game Crashes Save Errors (Error 12, 13, 15, 16) ------------------------------------ Did this FAQ help you with your issue ? If so, please consider pressing the XP button[HOW TO] Find and remove bad custom content (CC)
Index What is this thread about What is bad CC? How do I get rid of that CC ? How can I avoid CC I don't want? Where is the CC installed that I see in my game FAQ Disclaimer: All links and tools mentioned in this thread are not supported by EA and you'll be using them at your own risk. What is this thread about? A lot of Households/Sims/Lots contain custom content (CC) that is either bad or that you don’t want. Some of them are very hard to find in the launcher for they look nothing like the picture you see in CAS and unfortunately you can delete them in CAS directly. There are methods, tools and lists around that can help you find and avoid this CC . The intention of this thread is to give you links to those and help you if you have problems understanding them. This thread is not for spoon feeding you every step that has already been stated. If you have trouble understanding something, be specific in your questions. This thread is also for helping you with CC that is not listed anywhere and that you can't find. Please check the available lists first before posting and if you feel up-to it, try the method described below to find out yourself. My time is limited and I have many other projects, so please do me the courtesy and READ before posting. Thank you. Up↑ What is bad CC? Bad CC is Custom Content that harms your game. One should distinguish between unwanted and bad CC. Unwanted CC is CC YOU don't like but others very well might want while bad CC is content no one should use for it can harm your game. There are the following kinds of bad CC: CC that is categorized for too many age groups and both genders CC that is categorized for wrong ages and/or naked CC that crashes/freezes your game CC that causes the blue lot issue Clothing that colors on other parts (only listed in German, see the FAQ for more info) CC that hides in other CC Tight Arms (unsure if still an issue, only in German) CC hair that looks terrible (not listed, FAQ) CC windows/doors that crash the game since LN (not listed) CC that comes with Sims Simply badly done CC (not listed) CC that was made before patch 1.26/Pets and was never fixed (not listed) There's also CC that likes to attach to everything you upload whether you use it or not but there are so many of those that I can't list all of them When putting CC in your game, always remember that corrupt CC can crash your game, slow it down and maybe cause your launcher not to work properly. Up↑ How do I get rid of that CC ? Please refer to this blog post for information on that How to get rid of unwanted Custom Content How to find a certain download in your Launcher Downloads that are attached to Sims directly How to keep a Sim but get rid of the CC it came with Game Help:TS3 Finding Problem Custom Content Up↑ How can I avoid CC I don't want? When you download something from the Exchange, always use the Add To Game button and not Save as. Save as corrupts the thumbnails and you can't install the stuff. Add to Gamewill no longer install the content automatically so you can check it before installing. Check all Households/Sims/Lots before you install them. There's a tool called Custard/CleanInstaller by Delphy that can help you check your stuff. Instructions can be found here: Delphy's Custard For Package-Files there's another tool called Dashboard, also by Delphy that can pinpoint you in the right direction: Delphy's Dashboard Both tools can only help you with some errors. There are many errors that can't be detected. If the tools say it's safe, that isn't necessarily true. Up↑ Where is the CC installed that I see in my game All CC can be found in Documents\ElectronicArts\TheSims3. There are two different kinds of CC. Packages and Sims3Packs. Sims3Packs are the only ones that show up in your launcher. Packages are installed a different way. Please check this thread for details: How-To-Install CC/Mods "The New Way" Guide This thread is mostly about Sims3Packs. Sims3Packs are containers for package files. When you double click on such a file a few things happen: - The Sims3Pack gets copied to the Downloads folder and then shows in Downloads in the launcher - The Package-Files inside (they all have long numbers) get unpacked to the DCBackup folder. They do almost nothing (see FAQ below) - The Package-Files inside get compressed together and installed to the files *.dbc (or *.ebc for Store). Files that are installed here, show up in your Launcher. For further info on your user files, check this: User Files Explained You could, in theory, move the Package-files from DCBackup to the mods folder and use them like package files but a lot of Package-Files are bad for your game performance so if it weren't for the launcher, Sims3Packs are actually better to use than package-Files. Up↑
[32-bit] Sims 3 - Mac Help, Guides and Troubleshooting
The Sims 3 is no longer updated to support macOS or the hardware Apple have used since 2013. Consequently this can result in a lot of issues when trying to get the game to work. Below you'll find various troubleshooting steps and links to all known issues and, where applicable, a workaround or potential fix. The 5-step guide to installing the Sims 3 on a Mac Jump to this post below Optimal gameplay tips Jump to this post below Information you should be aware of: The current version of the game is 32-bit and therefore will not work in macOS 10.15 Catalina. EA have announced that they are working on a 64-bit version but this has not yet been released. If you want to play The Sims 3 but have updated to Catalina please see your options here. The Mac version of the game is not natively written for macOS like Sims 1, Sims 2 and Sims 4 are. It is the Windows version of the game 'wrapped' using software called Cider which basically tricks the game into thinking it is running in Windows, an emulator of sorts. This is the root of most problems that users experience and why it is extremely difficult to diagnose and fix any errors in the game. There is a more detailed explanation here. The Mac version of the game can only utilise up to 2Gb RAM, as opposed to the 4Gb RAM the Windows version can use. This is because the LAA issue that was patched for Windows users was never addressed for the Mac version of the game. This 2Gb limit is why the Launcher causes so many crashes as it uses a large of amount of RAM just to load, especially if you have CC/Mods and Exchange items. The Mac game is patched to 1.67, not 1.69 like Windows users. Mac users do not have the ability to disable Expansion and Stuff Packs through the Launcher. Mac users do not need Origin to actually play the game. You need it to download a digital version of the game but that's it. Once downloaded an external installer will pop up guiding you through the installation process. Once the game is installed into your Applications folder you can load it directly from there without having to open Origin. It is not possible to repair or uninstall the game through Origin, no matter what EA customer support tell you. It is impossible as the option is not, and never has been, available. The only solution for a proper Simming experience on your Mac is to play it in Windows, the OS which the game was written for. For detailed instructions on how to install Windows on your Mac please read this thread: How to install Windows using Boot Camp Steps to try if your game will not load, crashes, or displays an error message: Navigate to the Electronic Arts folder, this time opening The Sims 3 folder. Trash the following files then try loading the game again: CASPartCache.package compositorCache.package scriptCache.package simCompositorCache.package socialCache.package Try a new game, without any CC, mods, saves etc. This will help figure out if your install is dodgy or you have corrupted data. Doing this is simple, open your Documents folder then open the Electronic Arts folder. You will see a folder in there called The Sims 3. Drag this to the desktop. DO NOT DELETE IT. This folder holds all your game data like downloaded content, saves and everything precious to your game. Now, start up your game (it regenerates the folder you just moved) and see if you can play with a new Sim in a new world. Make sure you open CAS and make sure you try out Build/Buy mode. Try playing for at least an hour or so. If that works then the installed game and EPs/SPs is fairly stable so the issue lies somewhere within the folder you moved out. The difficult part is figuring out where the problem is within the data. For an extensive explanation of the files and folders in the Sims 3 folder please read Crin's guide here. To put your game back to how it was (not working presumably if you had to just do that step!), navigate through to the Electronic Arts folder again and trash the Sims 3 folder the game just recreated. Put your old folder, the one you moved to the desktop, back in it's place. If you want to move back individual files or folders from your moved folder make sure to delete the newly created ones first. Properly uninstalling the game or an individual Expansion/Stuff Pack: If all else fails then be prepared to completely uninstall and reinstall your game in an effort to get it working again. Just using the uninstaller is not enough though as it leaves residual files behind which can cause issues with a new install. You must use the uninstaller, if available and not corrupted, and then manually remove the residual files. For full instructions on how to do this successfully please read this page. For uninstalling just an Expansion or Stuff Pack please read these instructions. Known and common issues: Click on the issue you are having to be taken to further help and instructions if available. Unknown Error - Base game only installed Unknown Error - Late Night, Ambitions, Fast Lane, Outdoor Living and macOS 10.11 El Capitan or later Expansion and Stuff Packs not showing as installed in the Launcher and Applications folder Store content not showing up Exception Raised/Debug error - RAM/Memory related Disc Authorisation/No disc errors Error Code 12 fix Installer stuck on a file during installation - Quit the installer, manually uninstall any files already installed for the Pack you are trying to install, run the Origin reset tool then re-download and try to install again. Connecting to server issues Error 327682:0 - Means you are trying to install the 32-bit version of the game in macOS Catalina or later. It won't work as Apple no longer support 32-bit apps.
My Sims 3 game keeps freezing every few seconds
I recently downloaded the Island Paradise expansion pack digitally. I'm not sure if downloading it digitally from Origin is the cause, but my game freezes every 10 or less seconds and stays frozen for about 5 seconds. Everything moving around my sim keeps playing, but my sim just stand there frozen. I just don't know why it's doing this. It's never happened before. This is also my third expansion pack. And I know digital downloads, they download to your hard drive and you don't need to use the disc anymore. Is that what is possibly making it freeze? Please and thank you for your help.[FAQ] Save Errors (Error 12, 13, 15, 16)
Problem While saving I get the error message: Error 12 (or 13 or 15 or 16). Please see Read-Me for more information. Meaning of the Errors Error 12: World file save failure. Mostly Memory related Error 13: Post-save callback failure. Unclear what that means. They fixed an error that was causing this and it seems to not occur as often. Error 15: Open failure. You probably don't have enough rights to write in the folder. Error 16: Loose file copy failure. The file cannot be (over)written. Avoidance & limitation of possible loss Since Error 12 seems to be caused by memory issues, a 64-bit operating system and at least 4 GB of RAM might help avoiding this error. EA altered the executable file with Patch 1.17/etc so that the game can allocate 4 GB of RAM. It helps to upgrade your system. Make sure your Computer fulfills the minimum requirements (EAs minimum requirements are a little low, especially with all EPs) Save often and in cycles (5-10 savegames with different names Regularly make a backup of your user files in documents. Check the folder CurrentGame.sims3 in documents before starting the game. It should be empty. It only contains data during gameplay. If your game crashed, this folder might still contain something. Move or delete it's content. Make sure your saves Folder in documents doesn't contain any saves with the extension .bad. Delete those, they are unusable. Increase your virtual memory Start your game in compatibility mode and/or as administrator If you are running Direct 10 or 11 (Windows Key - R, then type dxdiag), try installing DirectX 9 as well Make sure you have enough room on your hard drive Defrag your System Don't play long game sessions. Quit and restart the game in between. If the error occurs regularly in one game but not so much in others, move your sims to a new town. This will loose you all relationships to other Sims but you can keep your family with all their progress. Custom Content and Mods can cause all kinds of Error. The memory system introduced with Patch 1.21/1.22 bloats your save game enormously. This can become heavy on your RAM. Delete memories for your active/inactive Sims that you don't need. Suggestions You can try the following suggestions while the game is running and then try saving again. As soon as you get the error, the save is written to a folder with the extension .bad. You'll find it in your saves folder. Delete that folder before continuing. Error 12 & Error 13 Use save as and a new name instead of save Try saving in Edit Town mode as well as live mode Try saving your game paused and unpaused and at different speed levels. Move your saves folder to the desktop Never use save & quit. Always save your game first and then quit the game without saving. Don't use spaces or special chars in your save game names. If you have lots of stuff in your inventory, reduce it. If all fails, quit your game without saving and restore a backup. Error 15 Error 15 occurs when you don't have enough rights to access the saves folder. Make sure you have full access to the folder your saves folder is in and it's not hidden. If nothing helps, start your game as an administrator. Error 16 Error 16 occurs because of a file system failure which can occur if you try to overwrite a file in use or that is corrupt. Saving as with a new name should solve the issue. ------------------------------------ Did this FAQ help you with your issue ? If so, please consider pressing the XP button