A serious problem has occured-Problem loading specific town

[LeLoup]

Hello everyone! I want to start off saying that this site, only possible through Carl and Pam's unyielding efforts, is an invaluable resource in helping us less than computer savvy simmers.
Thank you a million times, thank you!

Previously; Sims 3 EPs up to Pets. Have two saves: The Dolls and Barnacle Bay. No major problems.
Last night I uninstalled completely and today installed EPs and Catalogs up to Seasons. At that point I left for work, my spouse then proceeded to add our save files back to the game. Apparently the install ran smoothly but with one problem. Barnacle Bay is greyed out. "Can not load barnaclebay.sim3 May contain data from expansion pack no longer present" (paraphrase)
Now I've been at this Since I got home from work at 2pm. So I've practically tried every remedy that even remotely sounded like what i was experiencing. I'll try to develop a comprehensive list...

- Making barnaclebay.sims3.backup --> .sims3 and barnaclebay.sims3 --> .sims3.old Then later, .sims3.backup --> .sims3 and just removing .sims3

- Move Sims3 folder from EA to desktop.

- I Ran CCleaner.

-Sims3 Launcher says I'm up to date.

- Deleted cache files

- Creating a new Meta.data file and replacing meta.data in barnaclebay file.
 Which I think is what corrected the " expansion pack not present" error. Now its at the point where on the main menu the save shows up as the temporary sims name (the town i made to get the meta.data file) and i can begin to load, but then " a serious error has occurred loading barnaclebay.sims3. It is strongly recommended you restart the application"

-Manually unlocked files.

Anything I haven't tried yet? Also my other save file "The dolls" Is fine. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Like I sais I've used this site numerous times before with minor issues, this is the first time I haven't been able to resolve and issue by just researching. Thanks again!

P.S If a step by step is possible.....all the better! :]

[Seabody]

Did your spouse install Barnacle Bay on it's own or with other items at the same time? I mean, did they move all the items into the Downloads folder, then install all of them at once using the launcher?

I'm assuming that when you say "Barnacle Bay is greyed out" you mean the save file, right? Not the world itself in the dropdown list?

[LeLoup]

From what my spouse told me he did I think he tried to bring just his barnaclebay.sim3 save over.
After I restored the saves (from our back up I made before uninstall) ,like he should have, the rest our saves ( and sims families in CAW, including his) show up but his barnacle bay save was still greyed out. Then I replaced the meta file.
Now it shows up as the temp. sims name ( then one I create for his meta.data file) but doesn't not finishing loading up. Now "serious error" Restart application....

[Wai]

Have you tried replacing the meta files?

The message you are getting is exactly the same as you can get after a computer crash, so the same remedy may be worth trying.

Re: Fixing/Recovering Saved Game - Saved Game Not in Game Launcher or Corrupted
« Reply #87 on: December 04, 2012, 08:12:02 AM

Hope this helps.

[LeLoup]

What files should I have put in the downloads folder? I didn't manually do that with any files.
Thanks Seabody!

Yes Wai, I have replaced meta file. Which corrected the " may have been saved with expansion pack that is no longer present" but now its a " serious problem has occurred"

[Wai]

Does the game you used to create the replacement meta files load?

This is just a shot in the dark, but, is it possible that you have not replaced all the correct meta files, or you have replaced a wrong file?

[LeLoup]

Ah perhaps!
The temp sims save is still in Al Simhara. Cannot load, has the "expansion pack not present" error

[Wai]

Your saved dummy file should be in your home town, not a vacation town.

I would suggest making a new dummy file.  Then going back to your original corrupted game save and doing the replacemrnt of the meta files again.  Make sure that you copy only the 1a5tf1l3.dat, Meta.data and TravelDB.package files.

I hope this works.  It must be worth a try at least.

PS.  In your dummy game, go only to the destinations that your actual game has visited.  (Easy if you know they ent to all three destinations).  And save for the final time after they have returned home.