19-08-2008, 02:14 AM
Many players have gotten in deep. It is safe to assume that other expansion packs (eg Nightlife) are highly likely to cause similar problems when it appears.
What follows is a breakdown of the best steps to take before, during and after installing an Expansion Pack
Abbreviations used here include:-
EP -- expansion pack (for example university)
TS2 - The Sims 2
S2U - The Sims 2: University Expansion Pack
Before Installing
Prepare Your Game Files and Computer For The Expansion First
Play each family that is important to you so that you can be sure to save each family so that all members are home and no visitors are on the lot. Best advice is to save at 5:00 am (game time - not real time )
Try to avoid saving families with unresolved problems for example:-
sim about to grow up
sim(s) at work/school
honeymooners not present
waiting for a nanny or taxi etc.
outstanding repo man or social worker warnings.
If you pay very careful attention to the first two items you will have far fewer problems than if you ignore them.
When you are happy that all your important families are safely saved ...
Back Up Your Saved Games - Delete your downloads folder -Check that your display drivers are up to date - Don't know how? -click here
Finally run a hard drive analysis and defrag if recommended - Don't know how? -Congratulations! Your PC is now utterly ready to receive a new Sims 2 expansion pack!
During The Installation Procedure
Before you do anything open the game pack and check that you have:
The right number of discs (a disc named "Disc One" means there should be a "Disc Two" )
An instruction manual (also called an instruction book)
A serial number printed on the back of the manual - typically the serial number is 5 groups of 4 letters and/or numbers 20 in all - Warning Serial numbers should never be shared because it is piracy and is therefore illegal everywhere
Read The Instructions for Installing The Game they are very brief and very simple and you have already done most of it. Read it anyway.
While installing the expansion do NOT go raid the fridge for a soda. Nor may you phone a friend. Concentrate. If the job takes longer than 10 or 15 minutes your computer is not really up to playing the darn game anyway, and besides wasting 10 minutes now will save you hours later when you have ginormous mess to fix! You've been warned!
During installation you may get messages to read that will explain or warn about changes that cannot be undone. Make sure you understand the consequences of clicking the [OK] button. It is YOUR responsibility to pay attention and to take some care.
After Installation Has Finished
Whoa there. Steady. Take it slow. If you paid attention during installation you should now be feeling a little worried about your precious sims. If you aren't worried you probably weren't paying attention or your are too trusting. It is normal to worry about your sims. Did they get fried or scrambled? You want to know. You are impatient to try out all the new objects and hairstyles ... we're all the same! But the clever bunnies take it slow. So must YOU!!
First run the game and try out one of the new neighborhoods (eg a University Campus) Just make sure that the game works properly, doesn't crash. Now is a good time to hit the max speed button and go stuff your face. let the game run while your gone. If that works close the game down and go onto item #2.
Time to return your downloads to the saved games folder. These will be in the back up copy that made. Right?
Downloaded clothing should work without any problem and is unlikely to cause problems,
The same goes for floors and walls that were made with Homecrafter
New objects, recolored objects, new meshes, game hacks and mods. All these should be left out until you have checked with the maker regarding compatibility.
JMPescado's hacks and mods can be checked up here
If you cannot remember where your stuff came from then you will have to add a few (say 5 items at a time and play the game to check they all work before adding a few more.
More advice and links to added
IF THE GAME ENDS UP BROKE ANYWAY - DON'T PANIC
First make careful notes so that you properly and fully explain what is wrong. If you give a vague description of a problem be ready to get vague (or sarcastic) answers.
Don't ask for help without telling us about your computer: OK That's it. . If you have any comments please PM me
especially regarding errors.
Please Feel Free to Correct me
What follows is a breakdown of the best steps to take before, during and after installing an Expansion Pack
Abbreviations used here include:-
EP -- expansion pack (for example university)
TS2 - The Sims 2
S2U - The Sims 2: University Expansion Pack
Before Installing
Prepare Your Game Files and Computer For The Expansion First
Play each family that is important to you so that you can be sure to save each family so that all members are home and no visitors are on the lot. Best advice is to save at 5:00 am (game time - not real time )
Try to avoid saving families with unresolved problems for example:-
sim about to grow up
sim(s) at work/school
honeymooners not present
waiting for a nanny or taxi etc.
outstanding repo man or social worker warnings.
If you pay very careful attention to the first two items you will have far fewer problems than if you ignore them.
When you are happy that all your important families are safely saved ...
Back Up Your Saved Games - Delete your downloads folder -Check that your display drivers are up to date - Don't know how? -click here
Finally run a hard drive analysis and defrag if recommended - Don't know how? -Congratulations! Your PC is now utterly ready to receive a new Sims 2 expansion pack!
During The Installation Procedure
Before you do anything open the game pack and check that you have:
The right number of discs (a disc named "Disc One" means there should be a "Disc Two" )
An instruction manual (also called an instruction book)
A serial number printed on the back of the manual - typically the serial number is 5 groups of 4 letters and/or numbers 20 in all - Warning Serial numbers should never be shared because it is piracy and is therefore illegal everywhere
Read The Instructions for Installing The Game they are very brief and very simple and you have already done most of it. Read it anyway.
While installing the expansion do NOT go raid the fridge for a soda. Nor may you phone a friend. Concentrate. If the job takes longer than 10 or 15 minutes your computer is not really up to playing the darn game anyway, and besides wasting 10 minutes now will save you hours later when you have ginormous mess to fix! You've been warned!
During installation you may get messages to read that will explain or warn about changes that cannot be undone. Make sure you understand the consequences of clicking the [OK] button. It is YOUR responsibility to pay attention and to take some care.
After Installation Has Finished
Whoa there. Steady. Take it slow. If you paid attention during installation you should now be feeling a little worried about your precious sims. If you aren't worried you probably weren't paying attention or your are too trusting. It is normal to worry about your sims. Did they get fried or scrambled? You want to know. You are impatient to try out all the new objects and hairstyles ... we're all the same! But the clever bunnies take it slow. So must YOU!!
First run the game and try out one of the new neighborhoods (eg a University Campus) Just make sure that the game works properly, doesn't crash. Now is a good time to hit the max speed button and go stuff your face. let the game run while your gone. If that works close the game down and go onto item #2.
Time to return your downloads to the saved games folder. These will be in the back up copy that made. Right?
Downloaded clothing should work without any problem and is unlikely to cause problems,
The same goes for floors and walls that were made with Homecrafter
New objects, recolored objects, new meshes, game hacks and mods. All these should be left out until you have checked with the maker regarding compatibility.
JMPescado's hacks and mods can be checked up here
If you cannot remember where your stuff came from then you will have to add a few (say 5 items at a time and play the game to check they all work before adding a few more.
More advice and links to added
IF THE GAME ENDS UP BROKE ANYWAY - DON'T PANIC
First make careful notes so that you properly and fully explain what is wrong. If you give a vague description of a problem be ready to get vague (or sarcastic) answers.
Don't ask for help without telling us about your computer: OK That's it. . If you have any comments please PM me
especially regarding errors.Please Feel Free to Correct me