Will my current games still play if I purchase a new original game?

[SimPoseyYum]

I purchased TS3 at launch but it did not work on the computer I had then.  I didn't 't register it because I couldn't get it to run.  I uninstalled and put it away.  Long story short, I have a different computer now so I installed the game and it works.  Yay!  Problem is, I found the game and the Key Commands card, but not the  manual.  No manual, which means, no serial code. No serial code means I can't register the game.

I'm assuming in order to get or use any EPs, I'll need to use that original code.  At the very least, in order to get Riverview, I have to register the game.

I'm not sure I want to use/download a serial code searcher.  I'm thinking I'd rather just buy a new copy of the game (perhaps the Deluxe version so I don't have to buy that EP).  I'm 99% sure this is a silly question but I just want to be sure.  Will using the code from a newly purchased game affect my current saved games?  Do I need to use the new CD or will it be sufficient to just have the code?  I assume the code is not embedded on the actual CD anywhere, so a new code should work with any CD. 

Or do you recommend that I bite the bullet and use the searcher?  Would that make my life easier? And, more importantly, would that allow me to get the downloads and install the EPs properly?

Thanks for any help or guidance you can provide.

[Saltypaws]

I am not sure if I totally understand the question, but I do know, that when I transferred my files to another computer, I had to buy another game for the older computer and of course did not have to put the new serial code in.  How did you install the game without a serial code to begin with?  You can't get past a certain point without installing a key code.  That is the only code I know about.  Is there another code you are talking about? 

[SimPoseyYum]

Oh dear.  This just became more complicated.  I suppose I'll need to give the whole story if I want to get some help.

As I said, I originally purchased the game at launch but it didn't work on the computer I had at the time.  That much is true.  However, I didn't put it away.  I gave it to my son who installed it on his computer.  He ended up not playing, so he was the one who put it away.  I'm pretty sure he uninstalled it.  That was in 2009.  We moved shortly after that.

Fast forward to late last year.   My old computer died and, since he had purchased a new one, my son gave me his old computer, the one on which TS3 had run successfully.  It is the one I'm using now.

Fast forward again to this year.  I purchased a copy of TS3 for the PS3.  I found it a bit difficult to control so I asked my son if he still had our old PC version.  In a closet, he found the CD and the laminated card with the key commands but not the manual.

I popped the CD in and didn't need a serial number.  The game ran/runs fine.  Just a few minutes ago I just asked my son if he remembered having used any code back in 2009 and he said no, he hadn't needed one.  I want to register the game now, and that's why I need the code.  The way I understand it, the only legal ways to get a code are to use a searcher on this computer or to buy a new copy of the game.

I'm ok with buying a new copy if I have to.  My question, however, is, if I buy a new copy, will I lose my saved towns/characters?  Will I have to start over from scratch?

I hope that makes it clearer.  I was reluctant to pour out the entire story initially because I thought it was far too complicated (and no one would be interested in all those little details), but I can see how the simplified version was confusing .  Thank you for trying to help me figure things out!

[thesweetestpea]

Personally, I would say that you're better off using the searcher. It will allow you to register the game, because all that it does for you is find the serial number that's attached to your CD.

[Pam]

First off, if your son used the CD to install the game originally, he had to have used the product code to completely install it.  If he was able to get around it, there's something fishy going on.  And it's a shame that he didn't keep all the paperwork in the case with the CD.  For future reference, always keep all that stuff together and in a safe place.  You'll need it every time you have to reinstall the game.

To answer your main question, I don't see why your existing files wouldn't work in a new installation of the game.  Be sure to follow all the steps to save your files in a safe place and them place them in the new game.  You can find help with this on our Technical Help board.  If anyone else has thoughts about this, please share. 

As for buying a new game vs. buying the searcher, that's a tough one for me.  I don't have any experience with a searcher of that nature and would advise extreme caution about using anything like that that's free.  There are others who know much more about it than I do who can probably give you better advice.

[thesweetestpea]

First off, if your son used the CD to install the game originally, he had to have used the product code to completely install it.  If he was able to get around it, there's something fishy going on.  And it's a shame that he didn't keep all the paperwork in the case with the CD.  For future reference, always keep all that stuff together and in a safe place.  You'll need it every time you have to reinstall the game.

To answer your main question, I don't see why your existing files wouldn't work in a new installation of the game.  Be sure to follow all the steps to save your files in a safe place and them place them in the new game.  You can find help with this on our Technical Help board.  If anyone else has thoughts about this, please share. 

As for buying a new game vs. buying the searcher, that's a tough one for me.  I don't have any experience with a searcher of that nature and would advise extreme caution about using anything like that that's free.  There are others who know much more about it than I do who can probably give you better advice.

It is possible to find the key on your own, but it requires going into the computer registry. I wouldn't advise doing that unless you're sure you know what you're doing. The searcher will go into the registry for you and find the key. As long as you use one that's reputable, you should have no problem. Alternatively, you may be able to contact EA customer support for help.

[Saltypaws]

I think I understand your question now.  Basically what you mean is, your game is already installed, but you want to register it, but you don't have the key code.  If you decide to buy another game, you will still have all of your games in tact, they are already on your hard drive.  To be honest, I have not found really any advantage to registering your game.  That is my opinion, you might get some discounts or a discount code sometimes, but that is about it.  If you put another disc in, all your games are still on there and you will not lose anything.  Do you have any expansion packs or stuff packs?  If you just have TS3 installed and you purchase an expansion pack or stuff pack, then you can just use the code on a new game to register that one.  I hope I have not confused you, but no, you will not lose any saved games.

[Pam]

You need to have the product code to register the game on The Sims 3 website, which is where you'd purchase items from the Store.  I've got each of my expansion and stuff packs registered, so I don't know for sure how it would be if you chose to register just one of them.

Salty, are you sure the saved game files would appear in the newly installed game without backing them up and putting them in the new game manually?

[Saltypaws]

If you already have the game installed onto a computer and say you lose your disc, if you buy another game, you just put the disc in and play.  Your games are already saved on your hard drive, you just have to have the disc to play the game.  I just did that with my computers.  I had outdoor living on mine and my mom's computer did not.  When I exchanged computers, I had to buy Outdoor Living for her computer.  I just popped the game in and played.  Of course I had to put my saved games from my computer on a thumb drive and transfer them to hers.  You are absolutely right, you need the code to register the game, but that is a personal preference, you don't have to register it, but it is a good idea.   

[SimPoseyYum]

Thank you all for the suggestions, advice and encouragement!  To be on the safe side, I went ahead and purchased a new game, Deluxe version. 

Sweetest Pea, the very idea of using a searcher and delving into Registry territory worries me for the very reasons you described.  I don't think a game, any game, is enough justification for me to start poking about in there.

Pam, nothing fishy going on.  I asked my son again and he honestly can't remember having used a code to get the game up and running.  Could he be mis-remembering (is that a word?)?  Perhaps, but I'm 100% positive he wouldn't have done any thing fishy.  Simply not in his nature . 

Saltypaws, I want to register because it's the only way to get Riverview.  I don't have any extension packs yet but I assume if I ever get them, I'll need to tie them into the same original code.  Is that correct?

I guess my next steps will be:

1) Save my current games (maybe onto an external drive)
2) Uninstall whatever is on the computer now
3) Install the new version as if it were an entirely new game, which it is, basically
4) Copy over the saved games
5) Register (and make sure I properly put away the documentation .

If the current saved games somehow get destroyed in the process, I'll be a little sad but not devastated.  I'll just have to start over.  No biggie.  All I've invested is time and I had loads of fun in that time, so it was time well spent, no regrets.

Wish me luck!  Thanks again!

[Audren]

  I don't have any extension packs yet but I assume if I ever get them, I'll need to tie them into the same original code.  Is that correct?

If you mean do you need the same code to install expansions, you don't. Each expansion pack or stuff pack has its own code.

[SimPoseyYum]

Thank you for the confirmation, Audren!  I've never purchased an EP so I'm completely uninformed as to how they work.

[SimPoseyYum]

I should NEVER have tried this.  In trying to get a code, I've somehow managed to mess everything up .

As I said in the prior post, I purchased a brand new game, Deluxe, which is Sims 3 and Ambitions.  Before uninstalling my old Sims 3, I copied my Sims 3 folder to an external hard drive.  Then I used the Uninstall function provided with the game to uninstall Sims 3.  That seemed to go well.  I then tried to use Uninstall to get rid of the Downloader.  That didn't go so well, so I got rid of it via Add/Delete Programs on my Control Panel. 

Next, I installed the new copy of Sims 3.  When prompted, I entered the serial code.  After that, I installed Ambitions, again entering the code when prompted. 

Here's where things got messy.  Rather than try to use one of my old saves, I decided to start new.  I didn't know if it mattered which icon I used, so I picked Ambitions.  The Launcher came up and indicated I needed some updates.  I clicked Yes, it got started -- then blue screen .  Scary.

I rebooted and tried again, this time clicking Sims 3 but no luck.  I figured it is time to uninstall this mess and hope that maybe, just maybe I can return the blasted thing and get my money back.

I assumed I should uninstall Ambitions first and that went ok.  Sadly for me, the uninstall of Sims 3 got hung up before it started.  The Installwizard couldn't complete and it just stoped, gave me an error message and went away.  I tried using Uninstall and Add/Delete Programs.  No luck.  Same thing.  Installwizard is broken.

Now I can't play the old version or the new version.  I should have just been satisfied with vanilla with no add-ons or extras or anything.   Sometimes I hate PC games /sulk /fume /end editorial comment.

I'm going to try to do some research but is there any help or guidance you can provide?  It'll be much appreciated.  Thanks.

[Pam]

When the game gets hung up during an uninstall, you have to uninstall manually.  Here are instructions for both Ambitions and the base game:

How to Manually Uninstall Sims 3

How to Manually Uninstall Sims 3: Ambitions

Most retail stores won't give you a refund on an open game.  I say try to install it again and see if it works this time.  

Edit:  I've combined all of the manual uninstall links into a single topic.

[mtglady]

I wish I would have seen this topic when you first started it Sim Posy Yum.  I could have walked you through the couple of easy steps to recover the original serial code without paying for a searcher or anything as long as you are on a PC and not a Mac.  For anyone else that is interested, do this:

You need to be signed in as an Adminstrator first.  Windows may require your permission to open the
Registry Editor and if so, just click on yes.

1.   Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type regedit in the search bar and press Enter. 
2.   Click on 'File' at the top left of the window that opens then click on 'Export'.
3.   Choose a location and name for the file as this will be your backup registry file.
4.   Click Save.
5.   This backup is created just as a precaution.

Now to find your serial codes for each specific EP or SP installed on your computer:

1.   Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
2.   Expand the SOFTWARE folder
     •   For 64-bit systems, expand Wow6432Node
1.   Expand the Electronic Arts folder.
2.   Expand the Sims folder
3.   Expand the EP or SP you need the code for
4.   Click on ergc and in the box to the right under Data you will see the code
5.   You will have to manually write the code down somewhere as you can't copy and paste. 
6.   You will need to expand each individual EP/SP and click on the corresponding ergc line for each serial code needed.
 
Once you have the serial codes written down just close the file.  If it asks you to save any changes, answer no.   If it did ask for changes then you didn't follow these steps.  I usually close the file by clicking on the red 'X' at the top right corner.
Please note:  NO CHANGES are made to the Registry if you follow these instructions so you have nothing to fear  .

And to stay on topic: I decided to reinstall when World Adventures came out and none of my saved games were playable.  But my new saved games after WA were playable when I loaded all games on to my new computer last summer prior to Ambitions.  Not sure what caused the original problem.