Sims 3 Re-Install Issues - Fixed!!

[BonnieLM77]

don't know of anybody with just a spare dvd drive, but I have an old Windows XP computer upstairs, it's slow but it should work to copy the dvd's, it was working on Mom's computer for the base game dvd-I have copied it to flash drive and the install seemed to have went ok, but it still wouldn't run the WA dvd, so I turned her computer on again to copy the WA disc, and it now has a boot error so off to the computer shop tomorrow to see if they can fix that-it seems when it rains it pours, I have most of the stuff on it backed up to either my external hard drive or to flash drives but it just sickens me that all this has been happening at once-first the sims 3 issue and then this, sigh, and if you remember from my previous posts I was a little hesitant about doing a complete uninstall and reinstall and asking lots of questions, I thought I might have had a corrupted file and that doing a complete reinstall would make the game run better-oh well, these things happen, but it's incredibly annoying when they do

[MrsFlynn]

Ah okay. Yep, try copying the files off of the dvd with the WinXP machine. Good idea.

Sometimes it does help to uninstall, run a registry cleaner such as Ccleaner or or Revo Uninstaller to cleanup the files left behind from uninstalling or reinstalling the game files, etc.  Then reinstall. Specially if it's been a few years or so since you last installed the game.

Otherwise a new Sims 3 folder works nearly as well.

[BonnieLM77]

lol, I should have just left it at the new sims 3 folder in my documents when I yanked the old one to the desktop back in May, and when I did the uninstall, I ran Glary Utilities to cleanup any files, the only other difference since I last did the uninstall and reinstall with the discs was that I got a new video card just shortly after I did the uninstall and reinstall 2 years ago and got more RAM, but that shouldn't have anything to do with the dvd drive-which might just need cleaning, but I will ask the computer tech tomorrow when I drop off Mom's computer, thanks for the advice

[MrsFlynn]

Good idea to ask about a drive cleaning. You're right, the video card doesn't have anything to do with the disc not being recognized.

You're welcome!!  Hopefully the computer tech can help get the drive up and running again.

[BonnieLM77]

the other thing I remembered, and I only remembered it this morning was that back in March I was having issues with the dvd drive, the computer would not boot to windows if a dvd was left in the drive overnight, I usually left my Seasons disc in the drive all the time and never had issues with it until then, but all of a sudden, it wouldn't boot any further unless I took the disc out when I was done using it, so I suspect it was a driver issue or an update issue that caused it and may be causing this now.

[MrsFlynn]

Ah yep, that (dvd drive issue) might be the thing. Hopefully they'll be able to figure something out!!

[BonnieLM77]

so do I, lol, I was looking forward to doing the complete re-install when I was on my vacation, and being able to play with store content again, instead of just testing items to see what I really needed and what I didn't want, but thank you for all your help!

[MrsFlynn]

You're welcome!!  Let me know what you find out?

[BonnieLM77]

I will, I'll be taking it to the computer shop tomorrow and seeing what they say.

just an update: just a few minutes ago, I tried a few more of the discs (without origin being installed) and it didn't want to read them either, so even though device manager is saying the drive is fine-I suspect it might be dirty or something is blocking the discs from being read, or it's failing

[BonnieLM77]

update: computer shop did confirm that the dvd drive had failed, so they put in a new drive and tried some of the discs and said the computer had recognized them and started to intstall them but they just cancelled the installation until I do it, question though, when you're installing by disc is it better to do it online or offline?

update: I tried it offline at first, but then when I put the WA disc in, it asked to update Sims 3 before continuing, so I did have to connect to the internet, also it gave me a message about my video card not being on the recognized list (when I tested just the base game) but I think I just have to follow the article you have on getting the game to recognize a new card and download those files, as I had to do when I first got the card installed.

update2: I copied those two graphics files to the game bin, but it still didn't recognize the card-said found 0, matched 0, so I'm going to try uninstalling the game and then reinstall and then copy those two files before trying, but is it because the game is not patched yet (I do have copies of the manual patches), so I will also try updating it as well and also installing some of the ep's and sp's to see if I will finally recognize my graphics card, I copied and installed those files before when I had the NVIDIA card installed and it recognized it then

[MrsFlynn]

For the Starter Edition I think you'll need to be online to install and play because it will most likely update you to patch 1.69 because it is an Origin version of the game.

You can update your graphics files with the zip file attached to the post linked below.

How-To: Get Sims 3 to Recognize a New Graphics Card
https://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=26753.msg446248#msg446248

You can try the super patch, but you shouldn't really need it, since you've got an Origin version of the game and it will update you to the correct patch as installs the game.

[BonnieLM77]

I don't have an origin version of the game (my base game disc turned out to be 2009)-it wanted to install the EADM manager originally, which I declined and the discs didn't install Origin until I reinstalled pets (and then when I launched it and logged into it for the first time it automatically wanted to install the EA app) and I really don't want to go to version 1.69 as I prefer to play offline (I find my anti-virus slows down the game if I play online, why I prefer to play offline and with my antivirus turned off)

I actually found that article and used it before though, lol and that's where I downloaded the graphics files zip from both when I had the card installed originally and this time, I backed up the original files to the desktop, and copied them after I installed the Sims 3 base game but was installing up to Seasons before I try going to the main menu to see if I get that message again

[MrsFlynn]

It's my understanding the Starter pack was one of the first Origin versions of the game, requiring Origin. But if you're able to install and play without Origin then that's great!!

[BonnieLM77]

yeah, I bought the starter pack second hand, but the disc that was with it was one of the 2009 discs

[MrsFlynn]

Oooh Awesome!!

If you've got the original 2009 discs you should be able to install and play the game without Origin/EA App.

-- If you use Origin/EA App for any other games, turn off game updates so the app doesn't try to take over the install. Click Menu (☰) up top left > Settings > Downloads > Updates - Update Games Automatically = Turned off

If previously installed (game or App) You may need to uninstall, run a registry cleaner such as Ccleaner or Revo Uninstaller to cleanup the files left behind from uninstalling or reinstalling the game files, etc.

Optionally you might want to disable or turn off the internet while you try to install the discs, so the install goes a little more smoothly. Keep say No to Origin or EA app wanting to install the EA Manager.

Start by installing the base game and then either use the Superpatch provided by EA - Using the link from Nraas, as it's got some good info on the patch. (https://www.nraas.net/community/Super-Patch)

Alternatively you can download the Sims 3 Patch Downloader from ModtheSims. (https://modthesims.info/d/409829)

It's my understanding after you've got the base game patched to 1.67 you can then install the discs in any order. Just keep saying no to Origin/EA App wanting to install the EA Manager while installing.

I have the original 2009 disc version and was able to install it without Origin or EA App. I just kept telling Origin No I don't want to download the EA Manager. However, I did this with game updates turned off in the EA App.

You want to say no to the EA Manager so that Origin/EA App doesn't take over your install and cause more issues. Like not being able to download or play from your own EA Account. Sadly that has happened to so many fellow Simmers!! EA App doesn't allow players to play offline unless you login to the EA App and select go offline first. So if your internet goes out, you can't play games.

To play without the discs. Unzip the NoCD mod and add it to your mods\package folder.

Nraas NoCD
https://www.nraas.net/community/NoCD

And launch your game with the game's exe file = TS3W.exe

C:\Program files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe