Error 12 Issue

[BellaBurner10]

I did a search on this and found no matches, so I'm going to begin one now.

I have had this error message so many times and had to begin my game again and again because of it. I'm just hoping someone else can identify and relate and hopefully have some answers, because EA Customer Support don't seem to have them.

My issue began when I first started playing this game as apposed to The Sims 2. It hasn't been that long, only about since June. I initially played it for World Adventures, the idea of traps and treasure, gems and metals and bugs was exciting to me (I'm a big Tomb Raider fan) so naturally, my first Sim was leaning towards adventuring. Having done all my adventures, I couldn't wait to get them into a personal museum underground. So I built this elaborate subterranean display, each area decorated to each location and clicked Save. Then what shows up, Save Error 12! After communicating back and fourth with EA, I was no closer to finding a solution, without having to start again. So that's what I did. After a further two attempts using the Same Sim as my first I decided to start again completely. Bearing in mind had done many, uninstalls, reinstalls and manual installs. Defrag, updated drivers and all the other rubbish EA made me do I figured starting completely again might do the trick.

And so far it had. I have worked through Six Generations, my 6th being the first adventurer. I come back, make a smaller, yet still elaborate subterranean museum and wack, its back! Error Save 12! Maybe I'm pushing boundaries by saying this issue is correlated to me creating a museum, but what else am I left with when it seems this issue only occurs at this point in my gameplay?

Anyone have any ideas of how I can alleviate this issue? If I cant make my own personal museum, what's the point in me playing with World Adventures? Its just a waste both sides of how you look at it. I apologise for this being so long, but I'm running out of patience and ideas.

[Pam]

Hi Bella.

I moved your topic to the Technical Help Board.

I also experience problems with Error 12, as do other members.  I can't say that I know for sure exactly what the problem is, but I believe it is related to the size of a file.  Whenever a file gets very large from multiple generations and/or having a great deal of items on the lot, the game starts developing these problems.  I encounter Error 12, 13, and 16 fairly often in my Dreamweaver Dynasty game.  Like you, I have done numerous reinstalls and computer maintenance.  It's interesting that your museum seems to trigger it.  But also realize that adding an elaborate museum might also be the tipping point as far as the lot gaining enough items to make it start happening. 

While I don't have a solution, I do have some suggestions on how to lessen the impact.  Save multiple copies of your file.  Each time you're ready to save, use "Save As" and give your file a new name.  For example:  Dreamweaver Dynasty A, Dreamweaver Dynasty B, etc.  I've found that when I save with a fresh name, the Error 12 isn't as frequent.  Another theory I'm working on is saving only a couple of times before restarting the game.  I've been able to save 2 or 3 times, then quit the game and restart.  I haven't had an Error 12 all day, which is quite an accomplishment when I'd been having it at least 2 or 3 times a day.  Unfortunately, mine also crashes to the desktop without warning and I just lost my 4th attempt at a small kitchen for Banana Dreamweaver only moments ago.

I'm sorry I don't have more answers for you, but perhaps these suggestions will ease your problem a little.

[Swede1992]

I've put up a description of this error and some tips on it all over this forum section by now.

Here is a thread concerning SE 12 and 13. Scroll down to see what I say on the first page and see if it can work.
EDIT: mtglady did link to a method of increasing the RAM for the game, be sure to check it out should you need to.

[BellaBurner10]

You know, signing up to this forum was the best thing I've done for this game. The help and information is fantastic.

Thanks for moving it, I only put it in this thread because of my prediction to World Adventures. When I mentioned the file size, as that's what I first thought the problem to be (my last game was heavy on the items in the house) to EA, the response was that the file size shouldn't be an issue. I have since been in touch with them on this issue and they have suggested to restore my files, saying exactly what you have, deleting the .bad file and the others except the .legacy file. The deleting the .legacy off the file and beginning the game again.

I also read the thread from Swede (thank you) so I have a few more options to try out.

Much thanks to everyone 

[Swede1992]

You're welcome. Don't be afraid to ask again if these things doesn't work after you've tried them.

[BellaBurner10]

Thanks so much 

I was reading the file that the game makes when it crashes and on SimsWiki the minimum was 200MB, well under virtual memory on mine its 282MB. Is that good or bad? I'm just trying to see which method to try first. I don't want to do something that I will regret.

[Swede1992]

Hmm, as said, I'm no computer whiz, but I have that page in front of me now and what it says, if I understand it correctly, is that if the free temporary memory is beneath 200 MB, then you can get crashes while playing for a long time. It may be my impression, but 282 MB seems a little bit far away from that, so maybe wait and try out the other stuff first to see if it helps. The worst thing that could happen is that you could try this later if nothing else works.

Just a question; how long do you play before getting a save error? If you play for a long while I can definitely see someone using up 282 MB in the world cache, but then it may be a bit bigger than usual. Not impossible at least. However, I can't stress the 'High Detailed Lots' setting enough: It's a simple option to lower without any large differences in gameplay and I've had great success with limiting my SE 12's thanks to keeping a small value there. I would at first try that and see if the game is bearable after it; if it is, then you're in for good luck.

[Pam]

Thanks for that link, Swede.  I had forgotten about all that, so hopefully, it will help with my own game!