Game Refusing to save after using Buy Mode

[Schipperke]

My game has started refusing to save after anything is purchased in Buy Mode.  It just sits there with the "saving" icon spinning around endlessly.  This happens in every game I play and it means I can never buy anything new for my Sims.  This is a new computer, purchased specifically for Sims - it more than meets the specifications, and of course the game was recently installed too.  Does anyone know what the problem might be, and is there a way to fix it?  As it is, the only games I can play are old saves where my Sims don't need anything new - no new game can be saved.

By the way, I have no custom content or mods.  Just store content and swap shop patterns.

[CreativeCrayola]

Do you try and save straight after leaving buy mode? I had the same problem if that's it. I just waited about 20 in game minutes and then it would save.

[Schipperke]

Do you try and save straight after leaving buy mode? I had the same problem if that's it. I just waited about 20 in game minutes and then it would save.

That's interesting.  I don't remember how long I waited.  I just know that I've tried in different games and it never seems to work.  Next time I try I'll be sure to wait a while and see if that makes a difference.  Thanks for the suggestion, CreativeCrayola!

[Schipperke]

Just to update on this issue, I think the main problem is certain store content.  Some store items have started showing up blank in the buy menu - by which I mean, I can mouse over them in the buy menu and see what they are but there is no picture, just the store icon.  (It's not a question of waiting long enough for the pictures to load.  They never appear.)  I can buy them and they show up in game, but no matter how long I wait after purchasing, the game is unable to save after those items have been placed.  This has definitely been an issue with certain dining chairs, but I noticed that there are store items in different categories (computers and some others I don't remember) that are also blank in the buy menu.  I haven't tried to place those items to see if they also cause the save problem, but I have a feeling that they might.

It seems odd to me because I have a lot of living chairs from the store as well, and those all show up just fine.  Again, I haven't tried placing them because I'm tired of wasting time when the game is unable to save and just sits there with the save icon endlessly spinning around.  So all I know for sure is that I have store content that for some reason prevents my game from saving.

[Seabody]

Try doing exactly the same thing in a new game. There is a bug where the game doesn't properly clear puddles so they cause crashing when they are built over (I don't know the specifics, sorry). As far as I know, if it works in a new game, you'll need to build somewhere else.

[Niana]

I do have store content installed, but I rarely ever use them (I go straight for the highest-quality +++ items, most of which are not free store content) - and I still have the same problem. I've been turning rain off for most of my files since, which seems to have made the difference. Or I quickly source a Midas Touch and throw down a HUGE footprint for the house, and then delete the extras once I have built to my satisfaction -- that way the puddles never accumulate where I want my house. That does make changing my mind and expanding a problem, but it's the best workaround I've found so far.

Edit: Waiting after buy mode doesn't make a difference for me

[Schipperke]

Try doing exactly the same thing in a new game. There is a bug where the game doesn't properly clear puddles so they cause crashing when they are built over (I don't know the specifics, sorry). As far as I know, if it works in a new game, you'll need to build somewhere else.

Thanks, Seabody, but I don't think that's what's causing the problem in my game.  I don't have Seasons installed, and the save issue has happened in every one of my games.  Following CreativeCrayola's suggestion of waiting after buying something works sometimes, depending on what I've bought (and I'm very grateful for the suggestion because for a while it looked like I'd never be able to buy anything again).  But when it's a question of one of the invisible store items, it doesn't matter how long I wait.