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

[SimPoseyYum]

Thank you, Pam and mtglady.  I'll print the instructions and give it a go.  Which should I uninstall first, Ambitions or TS3?  I assume I should get rid of Ambitions first but I just want to verify.  

If I ever get the uninstall resolved, the next issue will be getting a game, any game, back up and running.  Since I deleted the original, whatever code that existed originally on the computer has been destroyed.  And, as I've discovered, the new copy doesn't like the computer so I assume the new code I got will be invalid.  Call me silly but I don't want to risk trying to install the newly purchased game.  But I'll have to cross that bridge once I clean up this current uninstalling mess.

current moodlet:  Stressed Out

Side note:  Pam, how do you do it???  You're EVERYwhere!  How do you have any time to eat or, more importantly, to Sim???  You're amazing (and oh so very helpful).  Thanks  And I agree, the chances of getting my money back are pretty slim, but it's worth a try.  The worst they can do is say No.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Edit:  While waiting for a response here, I figured I should try to help myself by doing more research.  One of the Tech Board articles (written by Pam, natch), said that the saved games should be cut, not copied.  I copied them onto my external drive.  Should I have cut and pasted?  if so, is it ok to delete them now from my HD since they are (I hope) safe on the external?

Arrrgh this is so complicated -- it shouldn't be this complex.

[SimPoseyYum]

Sorry to keep asking so many questions, but here we go again.  Two small questions, one larger one.

Smaller Question A:  I only have base and Ambitions, not WA or anything else.  According to the instructions I read, it is important to work in the proper order: Base, WA, something, THEN Ambitions or to work backwards in the same order.  If I don't have the others, could that be part of the problem?  I know it's a goofy sounding question but I've had so many headaches with this now I'm a bit flustered about all of it.

Smaller Question B:  In one of my "hope springs eternal" moments, I tried again to launch what is currently on my desktop.  TS3.  Launcher came up fine but when I clicked on the Start Arrow, I heard that awful "clunk" sound effect and got the following error message: Service Installation Failed (0x039e8474)".  Any idea what this means and, more importantly, how to deal with it?

Larger Question:  One of the steps in uninstall is to "Choose a location and name for the file; this will be your backup registry file".  Unfortunately, the instructions never go on to say what ultimately happens to this backup file once the entire process is completed.  Does it get deleted?  Does it just stay where is it?  Wouldn't there be two registry files then?  And wouldn't that cause more chaos?

current moodlet(s): Mass Confusion, Disappointment

[Audren]

I cannot answer B or C, but I can answer A. The order Base, WA, Amb, etc. would only apply to expansions you have. After all, you can't uninstall an expansion you don't have.

[Pam]

@Sim Posey Yum:

Please give me an update on exactly what you've done and are trying to do.  Were you able to retrieve the original code?  Did you buy a new game?  Then I'll try to help you some more.

[SimPoseyYum]

Pam, thank you again for answering and for offering help.  I haven't done anything so far that isn't in the above posts.  In a nutshell:

     1)  Since I never found the code for the original game, I purchased a new game (Deluxe version, including Ambitions).

     2)  Using the Uninstall function attached to the game, I uninstalled the old copy.  That worked as far as I could tell.
     3)  Using the Uninstall function attached to the EADM, I attempted to uninstall but it didn't go well.
     4)  Uninstalled EADM via Add/Remove Programs in my Control Panel.  That worked as far as I could tell.

     5)  Installed new Sims 3, entering new code when prompted.  A Sims 3 icon was placed on my desktop.
     6)  Installed Ambitions, entering new code when prompted.  An Ambitions icon was placed on my desktop.

     7)  Being unsure which icon to choose to start a new game, I clicked the Ambitions icon. 
     8 ) Launcher launched, I pressed the Start Arrow and was prompted to do updates.
     9)  Updates started but then Blue Screen'd.
     10) Hard shutdown, reboot, try again, this time using the Sims 3 icon.  No Blue Screen but it didn't start (I don't remember the message).

     11) Decided to give up.  Assuming uninstall should be done in reverse order, uninstalled Ambitions using the Uninstall function attached to the game.  No problems that I was aware of.

     12) Attempted to uninstall TS3 using the Uninstall function, but it got hung halfway through.
     13) Attempted to uninstall TS3 using Add/Remove Programs, but it still got hung in the same place.

Side note: Before starting anything, I "copied" (not "cut") my saved games to an external drive.  I suppose that means the old saves are still floating around on my PC somewhere.  Do you think they could be adding to the problem?  Should I locate and delete them?

That's pretty much everything.  As I said, I tried to launch the game from the Sims 3 icon but got an error message after the Launcher.  Error Message: "Service Initialization Error (0x039e8474)".

I have printed out the instructions you provided but haven't acted on them because I'm not sure what to do with the backup registry file that will be created.  I've been reading and researching here and on the official site, but I haven't seen anything that tells me what to do with the backup file or with the file I'll be deleting items from once I'm done editing it.  I'm reluctant to touch anything until I know how to finish up.

I hope that helps you help me.  I'm starting to get jittery from being Simless .

current moodlet(s): Hopeful

[Saltypaws]

As long as you have a backup file of whatever you are deleting and put them someplace for safe keeping, you should be fine in getting rid of all files from your computer.  You also might try a search from your start menu and type in sims3 and see if there is any files left in your computer.  That might help.  It is too bad you are having so many problems and I hope you get it fixed soon.  We probably all know what it is like to be simless and it is not fun.  Good luck, I wish I could offer you a solution.

[SimPoseyYum]

... You also might try a search from your start menu and type in sims3 and see if there is any files left in your computer... 

Interesting.  The search brought up 76 items, 25 of which I could readily identify as being related to the game.  The other 51 just had the letters "sim" in them but I don't think they're game-related.  Apparently there is a lot of sim-junk in there.

[Pam]

At this point, I say uninstall Ambitions, then Sims 3 using the Control Panel.  If the uninstalls finish with no problems, then reinstall first Sims 3, then Ambitions.  After they are installed, you'll need to use the Ambitions icon to start the game.  You always use the icon of the most current expansion or stuff pack.  By that, I mean the one that has been released most recently.  Come back after you've done these steps and let us know how it's going.

[SimPoseyYum]

At this point, I say uninstall Ambitions...

That was done last night and, as far as I can tell, it was successful.  If there were pieces left behind, I'm not aware of them.

...then Sims 3 using the Control Panel.

This is where we have problems.  I just tried it again and here are my results (same as last night):

               "Installshield Wizard
     
                An error (-5006 : 0x80070003) has occurred while running this setup.

                Please make sure you have finished any previous setup and closed other applications.  If the
                error still occurs, please contact your vendor: Electronic Arts (website given)"

Below that, on the same Error window, are buttons for [Report], [Details] and [Ok].  I pressed [Details] to get this info:

               " >SetupNew\setup.cpp (630)
                 PAPP:
                 PVENDOR: Electronic Arts (website)
                 PGUID: a whole string of numbers.  I'm not sure if any of it is identifiable so I won't reproduce the string here
                 $15.0.0. and more numbers
                 ...and then some things below the line that I couldn't scroll down to and I couldn't expand the window..."

Underneath that Error window is another window, titled Installshield.  It says:

                 "Setup is preparing the Installshield Wizard, which will guide you though the rest of the setup process.  Please wait."

                  The green progress bar is about 55% full and that's where it stops.

I did some searching on the error message numbers.  I didn't understand a single thing I found but it was mildly comforting to know that my error messages aren't unique.  Somebody, somewhere must have an answer.  I hope.

Oh, and by the way, in case it's relevant, I'm on a Dell XPS laptop, with ~29-35 GB free on the HD, 2GB RAM and running Windows XP with the latest Service Pack and DirectX 9.0c (I think).
                 

...You always use the icon of the most current expansion or stuff pack.

 

Excellent, thank you.  As I mentioned, I've never had an EP so I didn't know how it worked or which icon should be used.  IF I can ever play again, I'll know how to start.  Oy, so  much chaos!

[mtglady]

Once you uninstall Ambitions and the base game (in that order), make sure you delete all of your Sims 3 files in the registry (the back-up can be saved to your desktop and then you can delete the back-up registry once your game is up and running).  To find all Sims 3 items, you can click on 'Edit', then 'Find', type in 'Sims 3', check the box to 'Match Whole String Only' and search for each registry value to delete.  Make sure you save your changes.      

You have to fully uninstall everything relating to The Sims 3 including the EADM before you start reinstalling. To download the newest version of EADM click here.  

You also should restart your computer before you start reinstalling anything.  

Good Luck!

[SimPoseyYum]

Thank you for the advice on what to do with the backup registry, mtglady.  That one was really troubling me.

Once everything has been gotten rid of, I'll restart before doing any more installs, as you suggest.  I'll also defrag and do a cleanup as Pam has recommended in several of her posts.

It's too late to start any of this tonight.  I'm too tired and I definitely don't want to make any mistakes.  I'll tackle it fresh tomorrow.  With any luck, perhaps I can Sim by the weekend!

[Pam]

It sounds like you cannot get Sims 3 uninstalled.  You have to get this part accomplished before you do anything else.  If you're using Control Panel to uninstall the base game and it gets stuck and gives those error reports, I think you should try a manual uninstall by following the instructions here.  This should remove all the same files mtglady has mentioned, so I don't think we're telling you different things.  So, you've got to get Sims 3 off of your computer as the first order of business.  Then do the clean up and reboot.  Then start reinstalling first Sims 3, then Ambitions.

[SimPoseyYum]

Update:

Things have not gone well at all.  As I mentioned earlier, even though I'm fairly confident poking about with my computer, the idea of digging into the registry didn't sit right with me.  I took the machine to a tech center, along with the instructions from EA.  Because we expected to only take an hour or so, they allowed me to stay so I could provide history and answer questions.  Even between three different techs, we were not able to get everything up and running.  We concluded that the problem is Ambitions.  We were able to get the base game going but as soon as we reinstalled Ambitions, it all blew up. 

Where things stand right now, I can't launch anything at all.  At some point, when I can afford to be without the machine for more time, I'll take it back and let them get rid of Ambitions and just get the vanilla game going.  Hmmm I wonder if EA will refund my money, given that my machine passes all the benchmarks but Ambitions makes a mess of things anyway?

In the meantime, I'm guess I'm simless.  Have fun for me, ok?

[mtglady]

So sorry that you have had so many problems trying to load the game. 

If you purchased your game from a store and if your still have your receipt, take the game back and ask for another one.  Let them know that you had several techs try to install the game on your computer for you.  It just may be a problem with the disk itself.

That might be a better solution then going Simless .

[SimPoseyYum]

FINALLY!!!

Everything is back up and running.  Well, the base game is up and running.  AND I have the serial code AND the game is now properly registered.  I'm not going to push my luck by trying Ambitions.  I've learned my lesson.  "Be happy with what you have." 

And I'm happy to be back in Simland.  Finally .