Saves get corrupted - HELP!

[Supah_Kx]

So basically,a few weeks ago my sims 3 suddenly stopped working on my windows 7. Everytime I tried to play, it crashed. Anyway, uninstalling the main game and ALL the expansion packs and reinstalling the main game with no expansion packs seemed to solve this problem. I played happily for about few days.

I took on the legacy challenge. I put many hours into playing, and suddenly, my save got corrupted and when I tried to load the family from the main menu, it told me "A serious error has occured while loading your family" orsmth and that is "recommended that I restart the application."

Since I have had this kind of thing happen to me before, I deleted the save and started a new family. I did not know much what to do about this. I played with the new family for about half a week, when the same thing happened to it - this time I was softly said frustrated. I tried Googling the problem. I have also tried using the xxx.sims3.backup file - it didn't work for me. Instead it said that the save does not exist anymore or something.

Restarting my computer didn't help either. I am really desperate with this and I could use some quick and effective help! Oh, and this should not be my disc's problem, or the operation system's. I can play very well with my mom's laptop which also has the W7 operation system.

PS : Sorry for my bad english, it's not my native language.
PPS : And If this matters: I bought my copy-it's not pirated.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

There isn't a way to solve corrupted files apart from beginning to make backups. I'm sorry, I know this is horrible. I've possibly lost my legacy to this as well and am literally just about to attempt loading a backup for it.

The way you make a backup, if you don't already know, is just copy your 'The Sims 3' folder in the Electronic Arts folder you should find in your Documents, then paste it somewhere else on your computer, I paste mine in the Documents folder. A better way to backup your files, in case your computer fails or something, is to paste the Sims 3 folder on a blank disc drive or USB. That way, you have the file as it is forever and can go back to it if the file ever corrupts. However, your current corrupted file will never work again, unless you do have one of the backups I just mentioned. I'm really sorry.


I can't think why your game keeps doing this, apart from that you may have some corrupt CC or maybe even a mod is doing it if you use mods. If you do use mods, don't mention which it is because it's against forum rules, but maybe try and uninstall it? You could always try a factory reset to try and help your game, as well. Here are the instructions for a factory reset:  http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,7507.0.html 

[twallan]

it told me "A serious error has occured while loading your family" orsmth and that is "recommended that I restart the application."

Did you try to reload the save-file after restarting the game, as the prompt suggested ?

Did you wait for a couple of minutes before starting the game up again ?  I have found that helps as well.

Personally, I encounter that particular "Serious Error" message quite often, and it has NEVER meant the save-file itself was corrupt, it simply meant that the game itself failed to load properly.

I have found that removing the "TravelDB.package" from the save has usually corrected the issue, if the game consistently refuses to load a particular save.

The TravelDB contains the photos for your sim's memories and the exports for your tourist population if you playing [World Adventures], so those will probably be lost.

However the save-game does not actually require the file itself, and will rebuild it the next time you successfully open the save.

Good Luck.