Patch 1.55 DCCache

[brappl]

In anticipation of Island Paradise I decided to give my game a good cleaning out as I download a lot of CC and much of it is third party.  During the process I cleaned up the DCCache files and got them to a "respectable" size.  After installing 1.55 new .dbc and .ebc files appeared with .tmp extensions.  Does anyone know what these .tmp files are and or are for?  They are exactly the same size as one of the existing .dbc and .ebc file.  Thank you for any info you can provide on these.

[Ricalynn]

You realize that the DCCache file is your downloaded and installed content, correct?  If you do a factory reset folder, do you have the same .tmp files?   

[brappl]

Hi Ricalynn...  Yes, I do know what those files are.  I did not do a factory reset.  After I installed the patch I reviewed folders to see what was impacted and that is when I saw the .tmp files.   At first I thought they were created by the patch to be translated after a new EP is installed.  Somewhere along the line, in the Sims3 site forum someone else asked what was up with the DCCache but did not elaboratea and there were no responses.  Just wondering if you or anyone else saw these files and knew what they were.   I'm going to move them out and see what happens. 

[Ricalynn]

I have them in my files too but I think it's created because of the new way they are doing the store files to insure people who have a lot of content don't lose any of that content when they start the game.  That's why I suggested the factory reset to see if you got more of them.

[brappl]

I think you are correct about the reason for the files.  I removed them.  Went into the game and nothing is missing.  Will just keep them in a folder for awhile in case they really are needed.  I have never done a factory reset.  Are there threads on the site with detail on this?  Thanks very much!

[Ricalynn]

It's in the technical Help section on the thread of links marked Installation and Reinstallation Processes.    The link to the actual thread is available here (Factory Reset: Fix your Game with 1/4 the time of a reisntall).   I use this method to keep folders that have different settings.   An example: I have one that is for our forum challenges that use the long lifespan and I have another for the settings I use for my dynasties. 


I'm also going to do a factory reset later today when I have a moment and do some installing to see how it works out.  I want to see if the new system will allow a person to install all content at once or if it is still better to do a few items at a time. 

Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll let you know if I can find anymore information about those .tmp files.

[brappl]

Wonderful, thank you so much.  I'm wondering if that would help me with my messy issues with custom Sims Downloaded from 3rd parties.  I had some awesome ones but their skins/genetics prevented the game from even loading as well as uninstalling in Launcher.  Took me awhile to figure it out as I blamed MODS.  Took everything out, all MODS updated, the game played.  Went back out, put in my Sims and hit a brick wall.  UGH!  Skins by Klavix, ESkin and EMBSF are fine.  I have had skins cause crashes in the past but never preventing loading the game.  Must be some monumental changes in CAS coming?   Again, many thanks.

[brappl]

It's in the technical Help section on the thread of links marked Installation and Reinstallation Processes.    The link to the actual thread is available here (Factory Reset: Fix your Game with 1/4 the time of a reisntall).   I use this method to keep folders that have different settings.   An example: I have one that is for our forum challenges that use the long lifespan and I have another for the settings I use for my dynasties.  Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll let you know if I can find anymore information about those .tmp files.

Not sure if this is so much of a question, but would like to relay what happened when I did a factory reset this morning. It did reset BUT:
After completing the reset went back into the game and the lots I play were greyed out on the main menu.  Put the cursor over them and got a message "could not load as may have saved with EP data no longer available".  Figured this was because I did not put my .dcdb/.ebc files back.  Added those.  Cleared cache and started the game.  The game would not load at all.  I removed the new game folder created for the factory reset, put the name of the original folder back to The Sims 3 and tried to load the game.  Still would not load.  I had an exact copy of The Sims 3 folder on my desktop so I deleted the one in the game and put the desktop copy in.  The game loaded just fine.  I guess I ruined my factory reset!  Ironically, the problem with doors in build mode after the patch has gone away! 

This was not a futile effort because I am now aware I can always use a factory reset when I am finished playing current games so I thank you again for sharing the information.  If you have any other suggestions or see something you believe I am not understanding correctly please let me know.

[Ricalynn]

Good to know some of your stuff got fixed so that's good.

When doing a factory reset - it's best to actually redownload or just reinstall everything instead of moving items.   The reason being is the glitch is obviously in the files so why move the files back? For I never move the DCCache back.    The only files I try to keep are the Saved Sims and the userpresets.package.  I actually go through the process of reinstalling all of my downloaded content.  And for the first time and over a year, I did it last night and everything worked.  I still have the .tmp files but actually installing it all at once completely installed everything which in a way makes his patch gold to me.  I have a lot of stuff that has to get installed when I factory reset.

The last thing I add to a factory reset is a save and usually only one.   I wonder if you would have had the same issue doing it this way but you don't have to do it if you don't want to. 

[brappl]

Good to know some of your stuff got fixed so that's good.

When doing a factory reset - it's best to actually redownload or just reinstall everything instead of moving items.   The reason being is the glitch is obviously in the files so why move the files back? For I never move the DCCache back.    The only files I try to keep are the Saved Sims and the userpresets.package.  I actually go through the process of reinstalling all of my downloaded content.  And for the first time and over a year, I did it last night and everything worked.  I still have the .tmp files but actually installing it all at once completely installed everything which in a way makes his patch gold to me.  I have a lot of stuff that has to get installed when I factory reset.

The last thing I add to a factory reset is a save and usually only one.   I wonder if you would have had the same issue doing it this way but you don't have to do it if you don't want to.

I am sitting here chuckling over your question "why move the files back"...I knew you were going to come back with something to that effect as I knew I defeated my own purpose of factory reset when I put them back.  I do have an answer though,  I was avoiding having to download everything again.  That is, however, a project on the board in the future.  I am going to wait for Island Paradise and then get into other cleanups!  I will try it again using the steps you provided.

I forgot about userpresets...thanks for mentioning that.

I have one last question:  .tmp files.  None were created when I did the reset.  Any idea what caused this?  Could it be I did not save correctly?

[Ricalynn]

When I did a complete reinstall of all my content, they were there.  As far as I know no one knows why they are created at this time but the answer is most likely on the official forums and I dislike going there.   However, my own curiosity is going to keep me looking it up anyway.

[brappl]

Thanks, stay curious and I'll keep looking too.   I do not care to go to official forums either. 

[SigBab]

When I did a complete reinstall of all my content, they were there.  As far as I know no one knows why they are created at this time but the answer is most likely on the official forums and I dislike going there.   However, my own curiosity is going to keep me looking it up anyway.

The .tmp files are created to fix a supposed problem with store content disappearing from the launcher. It is safe to delete them (and they are causing major lag for a lot of people), but if you use the launcher to start the game, they regenerate.

To bypass the launcher, use the executable file: C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe

[brappl]

The .tmp files are created to fix a supposed problem with store content disappearing from the launcher. It is safe to delete them (and they are causing major lag for a lot of people), but if you use the launcher to start the game, they regenerate.

To bypass the launcher, use the executable file: C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe

Have a different view for you.  When I use the Launcher to start the game the .tmp files are not regenerating.  When installing or uninstalling CC from either the store or 3rd party these files are appearing; exact duplicates of either store, .ebc or 3rd party CC .dbc.  It has been rare, but I have lost some content by just deleting the .tmp files.  I am testing those now by renaming the .tmp files the same as the originals and moving the originals out of the game.  I've been analyzing these files since 1.55 and have gone out to EA asking for an official explanation of what these files are for.  To date I have found no "official" explanation and am waiting for a response from EA.

To bypass the launcher for those of you folks who downloaded directly from Origin you can find the executable file here:  C\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 3 Island Paradise\Game\Bin\TS3EP10.exe

Either way, if you are playing Island Paradise choose the Island Paradise Folder to select the TS3EP10.exe.