Crashing over and over

[Ricalynn]

If you move the whole folder, the game will create another one.  Dont forget to uninstall it all.  Just moving the downloads folder will only move it out of the launcher.  You dont even have to keep things in that folder once it has been installed.

[ZacSz]

Got it. Also, do you think that any problems could arise from having duplicates of store-bought items in the game? When I reinstalled my downloads in the launcher, I noticed some (but not all) said that the item had already been installed successfully. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to which ones appeared to already exist in the game, but I wonder if duplicates could possibly cause any issues? I have no idea; I'm grasping at straws.

I feel like I'm heading closer and closer to a complete reinstall... :/

[Ricalynn]

Got it. Also, do you think that any problems could arise from having duplicates of store-bought items in the game? When I reinstalled my downloads in the launcher, I noticed some (but not all) said that the item had already been installed successfully. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to which ones appeared to already exist in the game, but I wonder if duplicates could possibly cause any issues? I have no idea; I'm grasping at straws.

I feel like I'm heading closer and closer to a complete reinstall... :/

That sounds like an issue.   You didn't move the DCCache file did you?  DCCache is the file that says what is downloaded and what isn't.   That file should never be copied over because it could be part of the problem.

[ZacSz]

Oh, I totally did. Well, I mean, I didn't move the DCCache file on its own... it got moved when I moved the original Documents/EA/TS3 folder and let the game make a new one. Can I just move the original back, or have I already screwed it all up when it got moved in the first place? Can I just move it back into the current, new folder?

Or... otherwise, how do I fix this? Can I? I tried going into the launcher to uninstall my store content, move the old DCCache folder into the current TS3 folder, and reinstall the store content... but I'm worried about the message that popped up about uninstalling worlds (Barnacle Bay and Sunlit Tides were both downloaded from store).

EDIT: There also appears to be no difference between the old and new DCCache folders, but im gonna try and put the old one in the new folder and see what happens... I have a ton of store content, it would be a shame to not be able to use it. Especially the hair. If I wanted to test it, would checking "Run without store content" be an accurate portrayal of how the game works without it, or is that not the same as uninstalling it?

[Ricalynn]

Actually - at this point it might be easier to just rename the TS3 folder into TS3WTF and then launch the game without touching anything.   Once in the game - adjust the graphics settings, turn reflections completely off, turn off rain/hail/snow/fog, and memories.  See how you do?  do you normally keep high graphics settings?  Those can slow down the game too.  Maybe turn down texturing or shading and see if that helps any.

if you can play the game, then we start adding stuff back.

[ZacSz]

I am currently in the process of testing it with the old DCCache folder, but if that fails I'm going to do what you just suggested and slowly start adding things back in. I doubt this will work, but it's already up (in a window), so I'll give it a go.

allow me to take this opportunity to thank you profusely for all the help. I will get back to you about what happens once I have some real information!

EDIT: I am almost positive this is working better now. Should I eventually try to reinstall the store items via this method? http://www.carls-sims-3-guide.com/forum/index.php/topic,11769.0.html

There are a few things Im not sure I understand, but I havent read that closely yet. If I followed those directions, when it says "reinstall" do I go to my store account and reinstall from the page manually again? I'm not even going to try until I've been able to play the game for a while at a stretch with no big/obvious glitches... but CAS went way more smoothly once I renamed TS3 folder to "The Sims 3 WTF!" and let the game create another new one.

[ZacSz]

I spoke too soon. Everything was going fine, I sent my Sim to university, he got there okay... then he moved into a dorm, I tried to save my progress and everything turned to hell. The screen went blank and instead of the usual spinny wheel, there was a strange glitchy-looking blue box flashing over another blue box, and one of those debug errors came up. The number was 0x00000 or something. I'm really starting to doubt I have any other option but to totally reinstall, and then perhaps follow the directions for re-installing store content I linked to in my last post. Any other ideas before I do that?

[Ricalynn]

I will say that a reinstall never hurts because if you haven't done it in a while it could seriously help.  I've done it and it made my game run so much smoother.  Just got to remember to load up in between game insertions to download the weird patches that aren't included in the base one. 

[ZacSz]

Yep-- I remember that from last time, to make sure to get all the patches. OK. That's what I'm going to do. I will post later and let you know how it went!

[ZacSz]

This is ridiculous and I don't get it.

So I finished a total resinstall, and it's definitely working better with the exception of a few major things. The first is that the "Lessons" window is totally messed up, or at least, it was when I tried to view it in my first playing session. I accidentally gave my Sim the wrong major and wanted to see if there was a way to change it without having to drop out and re-enroll. The lesson box was basically unreadable. The letters are all there and all correct from what I can tell, but it had a completely glitched out background.

Second, I got an error code 12 upon trying to save. I believe that's a memory issue, but I have 16GB of RAM and tonight I had 8GB free based on my activity. However, I probably should have restarted my computer before opening the game so that's likely on me.


I have yet to put any of my store content into the game yet.

If you wouldn't mind, could you tell me once again what options you think I should change to help the game run smoother BESIDES seasons? I want to turn off/turn down/modify as few gameplay options as possible, so which are most crucial? Turning off seasons would be my absolute last resort, as the changing weather is one of my favorite aspects of the game now. I don't know why... it just float my boat.

Overall, though, this seems promising. i can't say for sure until tomorrow because my computer needs a breather before I can get a solid reading. I should have restarted before playing but I didn't... and I paid for it by not being able to save my game for the fifth time in a row. God.

Hopefully there won't be an issue tomorrow because frankly, if there is, I'm going to be pretty unhappy with EA. My computer should be able to handle this game, especially since it's essentially the only game I play on it. :/

Thanks once again for all the help. I will let you all know how the game is running once my computer can rest overnight and hopefully I have a little more memory to spare.

[Ricalynn]

One thing - it doesn't matter how much RAM you have in a computer.   Certain programs can only use so much.   You said you have a Mac and not a PC right?   Double check any of your latest xcpt logs and see what they say for your memory.  It should be near the top of them and easy to follow what I'm asking about.   I don't have one in my folder right now to show you what I mean.

Error 12s can be a lot of things and if you're having any of the issues other people are with Sims not acting right or jamming up doors then that can be a part of it.   University is a travel world.  Have you had issues in the past with traveling causing error 12s?   University is absolutely the same as going to China.   If you had issues with going overseas before, you'll have issues now.   

As for my suggestion about weather, I just meant the weather inclements.   The game rains too much already in my opinion so I usually turn it off.  Especially since rain causes the building crashes.    Are you opposed to turning off weather? I didn't mean to turn off seasons.  If you want all four seasons that's great, but the rain and the fog and all that could be hindering your system with all EPs/SPs installed.

Majors can't be changed by the way.  Next time you get an error 12, go into Map view or Edit Town and resetSim the whole town.  This can help sometimes as all the activities going on in town will cease. 

As for options - turn down draw distance.  You never need more than 4 and the game can be run and still look nice below that.   Turn off all reflections.  Possibly even lower shadows.   Shadows is a game killer in MMOs.  In Sims, it can't help. 

[ZacSz]

Okay, I understand about the RAM. I get computers a bit, but I'm not the best techie in the world Where do I find xcpt logs on a mac? Or are you just talking about checking the Activity Monitor?

In terms of the Error 12, my sims were acting fine... it was literally just saving the game that was an issue.

I started a new game after my computer a breather and was able to save once in the regular town (Sunset Valley). When my sim went off to university (with the correct major this time!) and I tried to save again, the game froze. I have never once had an issue with traveling to other worlds in WA. These problems are all new to me. 

I'm kind of opposed to turning off the weather, but if that is going to make a big difference I'll try it. I didn't bother yet as I was just seeing how restarting/giving my computer a break was going to work. Like I said, definite improvement... but doesn't matter if I can't save! So I guess I'm going to try fooling around with the inclement weather next, as well as fixing some of the game options like draw distance and shadows/reflections. Would there be any benefit to setting it so it only stays in one season all year round? I prefer winter.

What is the command for reseting the whole town? I know resetSim, but I've only ever done it for one at a time.

If you had to recommend an EP/SP or two to uninstall, what would you start with besides University Life or Seasons? I probably use Pets and Showtime the least right now, and I barely ever use WA. I may also try uninstalling UL at some point just to see if the game goes back to acting like normal for me without it. I really want to play, but maybe that's the cause of the issue. I'm not quite there yet though...

[Ricalynn]

I would try Pets first and after that, I'm not sure if you want to keep Seasons.   

The command for resetting a whole town is "resetSim *"   where you use * instead of a name and that will do everyone in town.   I didn't say that your Sims were up to something but the game obviously thought you needed more of something.   Traveling always gave me issues with error 12s and the like because when you travel, your available memory just tanks.  And of course with Macs, you can't adjust the virtual memory because it does it itself. 

As for the xcpt files, they are always in the "The Sims 3" folder.   If you have a crash, it creates one.