CAW is not compatible... That's a lie!

[Seabody]

So I downloaded CAW onto my brand new PC. And installed it, and launched it.
Now I get the error message about CAW not being compatible.
Well, it MUST be compatible, because I am on Patch 1.24. I checked the Game updates list on the Sims 3 website, and the new Patch (1.25) has got only a Mac fix. For the issue about Nvidia and OSX Lion crashes.
So, I figure that, since CAW isn't available for Mac, there must be some error. What can I do? (And I'm not patching until I know if this patch will work.)

[grimsoul]

Could you possibly have the wrong CAW file?
If I right click the downloaded file and check properties then details it's version 15.0.0.498
And the exe file to run CAW is version 1.0.4175.16476

[Seabody]

Both are correct.

[Anushka]

It's correct, latest patch and latest CAW don't work together again. But there is a solution:

-Open the installed foulder of latest EP or SP you have and find Default.ini file. Usually it is in in Program files/Electronic Arts/The Sims Generations/Game/Bin.

-Doubleclicking on default.ini should open it in Notepad.

-Do the same for CAW - find default.ini in installed foulder Program Files/Electronic Arts/The Sims Create a World Tool

-Doubleclick that file too to open it.

-Scroll down to the last text in both files. In CAW default.ini you should see this text:

[Version]
languages=en-us,fr-fr,es-es,es-mx,de-de,it-it,nl-nl,sv-se,da-dk,no-no,fi-fi,pl-pl,pt-pt,hu-hu,cs-cz,pt-br,el-gr,ru-ru,ko-kr,zh-hk,ja-jp
GameVersion = 1.11.12.012037
CompatVersion = 12
WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion = 9

While in Sims 3 file (with Generations as latest EP) you should see this:
[Version]
languages=en-us,fr-fr,es-es,es-mx,de-de,it-it,nl-nl,sv-se,da-dk,no-no,fi-fi,pl-pl,pt-pt,hu-hu,cs-cz,pt-br,el-gr,ru-ru,ko-kr,zh-hk,ja-jp
GameVersion = 8.0.152.011001
CompatVersion = 11
WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion = 8

As you can see, CompatVersion number is different. Change file in Sims 3 foulder CompatVersion into 12 and WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion into 9. Save and Exit both files.

CAW should be working now.

I'm playing with this solution for more than a month without a single problem. I played with large world, exported it and it is working. It should work for you too. Let me know it you have more problems with it.

[Seabody]

You lost me where I'm meant to change the text. Also, I'm on Windows 7, so the file paths are not only slightly different (Program files (x68), or something), I get the Access is denied message.
A) Can you please simplify the change, and
B) How on earth do I obtain access???

[Seabody]

Please forgive the double post, but, taking information from the Medieval Guide, I obtained the necessary rights, and voila! CAW is working!
Thank you so much Anushka! If I ever succeed in CAW, I'll dedicate the world to you!

[Anushka]

Great, I just tried simplifying process, but I'm happy you find the solution. You might post it here so others can benefit too.
Have fun playing in CAW!

[Seabody]

Here's a link:
http://www.carls-sims-medieval-guide.com/cheats.php
Directly below "Extra Instructions for Windows 7 (need admin rights)", in the TestingCheats section.

And if the guide is down for one reason or another:
Extra Instructions for Windows 7 (need admin rights)
1. Browse to Program Files (x86 in some cases)
2. Browse to the ini folder ...\Electronic Arts\The Sims Medieval\GameData\Shared\NonPackaged\Ini
3. From the ini folder copy the command.ini file to desktop (and a backup location just in case)
4. Right click on the desktop command.ini file and select Properties
5. In the dialog under Attributes uncheck the Read only checkbox, click OK
6. Open the (desktop) file, change from
7. TestingCheatsEnabled=0 to TestingCheatsEnabled=1
8. Close and save
9. Copy the file back to the ini folder ...\Electronic Arts\The Sims Medieval\GameData\Shared\NonPackaged\Ini
10. In the prompt select Replace, confirm with admin rights
Now you are ready for the next level of watcherhood...

I crossed out steps not needed.

EDIT: Oh, and I forgot to mention this: If you are using CAW, not Medieval... Don't use these filepaths!!! They are for Medieval only. Instead, use the filepaths listed in Anushka's post 4 posts above this post.

[imaGleek]

I'm also having this problem, when I go to change the 11 to a 12 and the 8 to a 9 and save it says Access denied.

[Seabody]

Just do the steps outlined above - move Default.ini to the desktop, edit it, put it back. Don't bother about going to Properties.

[imaGleek]

Thanks, that worked, can I move it back to it's original folder?

[Anushka]

Yes, you should move them back!

[imaGleek]

Ok thanks, I'm in CAW right now fooling around with everything.

[Chuckles_82]

Thankyou so much Anushka for the clear and easy explaination! I had already written it off as too much bother to get it to work - I figured it would involve some reinstalling. I hate reinstalling. I'm so glad it's just changing a couple of numbers! This is great!

[Seabody]

It's correct, latest patch and latest CAW don't work together again. But there is a solution:

-Open the installed foulder of latest EP or SP you have and find Default.ini file. Usually it is in in Program files/Electronic Arts/The Sims Generations/Game/Bin.

-Doubleclicking on default.ini should open it in Notepad.

-Do the same for CAW - find default.ini in installed foulder Program Files/Electronic Arts/The Sims Create a World Tool

-Doubleclick that file too to open it.

-Scroll down to the last text in both files. In CAW default.ini you should see this text:

[Version]
languages=en-us,fr-fr,es-es,es-mx,de-de,it-it,nl-nl,sv-se,da-dk,no-no,fi-fi,pl-pl,pt-pt,hu-hu,cs-cz,pt-br,el-gr,ru-ru,ko-kr,zh-hk,ja-jp
GameVersion = 1.11.12.012037
CompatVersion = 12
WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion = 9

While in Sims 3 file (with Generations as latest EP) you should see this:
[Version]
languages=en-us,fr-fr,es-es,es-mx,de-de,it-it,nl-nl,sv-se,da-dk,no-no,fi-fi,pl-pl,pt-pt,hu-hu,cs-cz,pt-br,el-gr,ru-ru,ko-kr,zh-hk,ja-jp
GameVersion = 8.0.152.011001
CompatVersion = 11
WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion = 8

As you can see, CompatVersion number is different. Change file in Sims 3 foulder CompatVersion into 12 and WorldBuilderCompatibilityVersion into 9. Save and Exit both files.

CAW should be working now.

I'm playing with this solution for more than a month without a single problem. I played with large world, exported it and it is working. It should work for you too. Let me know it you have more problems with it.

I used this method.
I downloaded Patch 1.26, and CAW doesn't start. I get the message about reinstalling. Since I've been through way too much before with uninstalling, reinstalling, downloading and installing, does this method work for Patch 1.26 and an older version of CAW? If so, what are the numbers?