I agree with this statement.  Patch original before any expansions, then download ALL expansions, then patches at the end.  I'm no guru either, but it worked great for me that way, and University took a lot less time to install with the original patched first. 

Hey Trepie,

Well, I'm not sure if you actually can buy the card separately (ie. not already installed in a new computer) but don't get the GeForce Go series.  Apparently, there's a conspiracy going on, and in order to get the drivers updated, you have to go to the computer manufacturer instead of Nvidia themselves.

At this juncture I would definitely go with an ATI card.

Also, here is a FAQ about cards on the BBS.

However, I will add that I have a Go Series card running Vista, and thank GOD have NOT experienced any problems (there was a BSOD once, but I'm pretty sure it's unrelated, as I can't reproduce it).

Hope that helps a little!

Baa you very much, Denimjo---success!!!   

*runs off to see Emma's Vista Chair

Sorry for the necromancy, but my problem is very similar, and goes on further than the OP's.

I was having problems getting the CD to install, so I am (currently) copying it to the hard drive for a manual install.  I get the error message that it can't copy the "Sims07.package" file.  I'm pretty sure that's a texture file?
Anyway, if the rest of it manages to copy successfully, could someone upload a copy of that and tell me where the heck to put it in the files?  Or perhaps tell me what the problem was in the first place?

(BTW, just got the iq770 with Vista--I'm really pissed off at it right now!) 

That was the problem!  I found them right where you said they'd be. 

Baaa you very much. 

Hey guys,

So, I'm doing a prettacy challenge right now, and I took a bunch o' photos in game to tell a story.  I went to the "Storytelling" folder and only 1 out of about 8 photos for that lot is there. 

I will mention that I made sub-folders for "EA photos" and "build challenge" within the Storytelling folder.  Could that have screwed it up?  Or are my pictures hidden somewhere else?

I have all the EPs, no SPs, and my only hacks are the phonehack, homeworksometimesfasterfun, anti-pee obsession, NL no autonomous napping, and merola's multipainting.  I have all patches except the last Seasons one (waiting to see if there will be a fix for the fix for the fix  )

Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give me. 

I think the "Shortcut to CD Drive" has gotten screwy and is pointing to the desktop somewhere. 

Oh, and katenigma, I uninstalled everything.  I didn't really have a choice, as Pets managed to hide/delete my EA folder, rendering all of the games unplayable.

I still haven't tested again with the background task stuff...I will when I return to school.

Yeah, I know, the whole restarting my computer screwing it up has happened since they added the CC warning. 

I swear I DID remove my downloads first...I have the folder on my desktop, so I must have.  It's been awhile since I installed (I haven't played it much). 

Anyway, I checked my background tasks, and I think one may have interfered (YES, I normally shut all that crap down first, but I seem to have missed a few).

I have to go to rehearsal now, but I'm going to see if that's the issue tomorrow...thank you all so far for your help, I appreciate it, and I'll let you know! 

Because when I first get it to start, it asks if I want it enabled.  I say yes, and I'm told I have to restart the game for the changes to take effect.  However, I can't restart the game without restarting the whole computer, so the CC doesn't turn on...it's a FUBAR'd mess.

Also, I've just discovered that my whole EA Games folder in My Documents is GONE.

I am so pissed.  I did everything right (only awesome hacks, defragging, installing in new location), and my game is screwed.

Help!

So, I now have my 2nd copy of Pets.  I took the first one back because I thought it was screwy.

I've now installed the game 3 times.  Every time I try to run it from the CD drive short cut, I'm told this:

Unable to locate required file or required file is corrupted.
C:\Documents and Settings\Sara Jo\Desktop\AutoRunGUI.DLL

When I go into my program files and try to run pets from there, I'm told this:

Please ensure The Sims 2 Pets disc is in the drive, select OK and restart the application.

This happened with the old copy, as well as the new one.  The strange thing is, if I completely restart my computer with the disc in the drive, and then run it from the program files, it will start.  This SUCKS because I can't ever turn my custom content on.

Anybody have any idea what I need to do?

Here's my specs:

Microsoft Windows XP
Media Center Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

Hewlett-Packard Pavilion
Intel Pentium 4
CPU 2.40 GHz, 2.40 GHz (I have 2 CPU's)
512 MB RAM

Also, I have an NVIDIA graphics card, if that helps, I just defragmented, and this has never happened with any other version of the game. 

Me, too.  I have a cat at home, and I'll be damned if he doesn't get "the crazies" every morning and late evening.  I like it!

I've been doing the hostel challenge, and so far I've finished 3 1/2 hours.  No deaths yet, and only one stove and dishwasher is out of commission.

The only problem is that a brother and sister are furious enemies, so sometimes they neglect their needs to slap, poke, and attack each other.

Keeping my fingers crossed... 

It kinda looks like an institution...

I'm giving this a major, 4 months ago, bump, cuz I want the same thing.

If you are talking about me, I'm sorry. 
I wasn't trying to be a jerk or anything...it's just a peeve.  It was definitely not an attack on your intelligence or speaking capabilities...90% of the people I know say it that way...but it is a peeve!    I compulsively have to explain it...I just can't help it... 

Anyway, back on topic again, I hope you figured out your live-in maid problem.  Keep us updated, as I would like to know how to get one too! 

And again, I profusely apologize for any hurt feelings or wrongdoing.

And to be gloating...I started the burn/drown phenomenon...dammit. 

If it makes you feel any better, my Brandi Broke now has 11 children (5 births, 1 married in, and 5 adopted).  They are ALL boys.  And I'm not retiring her uterus till she gets a danged girl.

Ah, yes.  I've spent many an evening on the casting couch...

Nicely put. 

I'm guessing that my computer already had the card (because I never bought anything) and I needed to update the version or something...I'm dumb...don't ask me. 

I see your point...no wait...I don't!  But I suppose I understand your view. 
I guess the way I see it, what you're trying to say is, "I care so little right now that there's no way I could care LESS than what I care right now.  There is no lower caring than this."  Whereas, "I could care less" sends out the meaning, "I don't care much obviously, from my sarcastic tone, but I care enough that it is capable for me to care even less than I do now...so I care a little."

The English language is whack, G.

Okay, back on topic!

I didn't pay for anything...it was a download of some type...XP detected my problem for me. 

Sorry, this is a total pet peeve of mine...I am incapable of resisting.

What you meant to say was you COULD NOT or COULDN'T care less what anyone else thinks. 

Think about it...

I had this exact problem, and it turned out I needed a better graphics thingy-ma-bob.  I got NVIDIA and it fixed the problem.

You know that's a circular definition (logical fallacy), not a diagnosis, right?

You can't pay attention because you have can't pay attention disease.  All you're doing is naming a symptom.  What is the cause?

Sorry.  I just finished an Educational Psychology class, and my teacher REALLY HATES LABELS!  I don't think I'll ever forget that discussion. 

But anyway, back on topic (talk about ADHD!  ).  I would definitely install Nightlife and mess around with the vampires and cars.  They have definitely made the game more fun to play (and I LOVE the Pleasure Aspiration!).