More Awesome Than You!

TS3/TSM: The Pudding => The World Of Pudding => Topic started by: Skadi on 2009 May 18, 08:44:14



Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Skadi on 2009 May 18, 08:44:14
Look at post 141 - files are interchangeable.


Moderator edit: This thread is split from the main HORROR thread (http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,14987.0.html) to keep the installation stuff in one place for easy reference.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LFox on 2009 May 18, 08:49:39
Look at post 141 - files are interchangeable.

Thanks i'll take a look.

Question does Winrar tell you if one rar file is mismatched with anothers contents even if they have the same naming?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 May 18, 09:16:50
Well, I got the game installed and everything, replaced the TS3.exe with the crack and started up the game. Everything went fine until I went into CAS. It crashed after I tried to switch from a female to a male sim. I thought maybe it was a glitch, so I tried it again and went back to CAS after it loaded (luckily the game loads in just a few seconds) and tried to adjust the skintone and it crashed again. The music skips for a few seconds, then it goes to this grey-ish colored screen and I can't minimize or otherwise exit out of it and have to hit the reset button on my computer. I was really excited about getting to mess around in CAS and this isn't making me very happy. Also, when I start up the game, my only options are to move one of the bin families to a house or go to CAS. None of the other houses look to be occupied. It's really strange.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: J. M. Pescado on 2009 May 18, 09:18:17
Sounds like a personal problem to me, soldier.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 May 18, 09:27:27
I really doubt it's my computer. It says in the readme that it automatically sets the options to what your computer can handle, and the options were all set to high when I started the game. Plus, I'm well over the minimum requirements. Here's my computer specs:

Windows XP
AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6400+
ATI Radeon HD 4850
2 GB RAM


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LFox on 2009 May 18, 09:35:40
Look at post 141 - files are interchangeable.

It would seem these files are incompatible with the ones in post 75.  As are about 3 other ones i've tried.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Skadi on 2009 May 18, 09:41:00
Which files are you missing?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LFox on 2009 May 18, 09:49:02
Which files are you missing?

From post 75 i'm missing

5, 8, 10, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Unfortunately file 1 does not seem to house the interior rar files 00, 01 ect.  They seem to be all jumbled up inside the 26 piece rar.  I'm getting it slowly through hotfile since those links are left but that's gonna take a long time, assuming they don't get deleted.

Clearly i underestimated the time it'd take for the files to get deleted.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: chann on 2009 May 18, 10:03:41
I've got a few SecuROM questions: what version is it, v7 or newer? Does it install the standard registry keys and rootkit-files?

Has anyone tested the removal tools and turned up something?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: J. M. Pescado on 2009 May 18, 10:10:08
Yes, it is the same primary version as Splotch.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 May 18, 11:06:41
I skipped CAS and went straight into the game the third time I played (I just picked a house to play at random) and the game went longer before it crashed. But still, after 20 minutes or so, it did freeze again on the grey-ish screen. But this time, when I restarted my computer, my fans had kicked up to high and I wasn't getting a video signal on my monitor. I checked the back of my case and there was a ton of heat where the video card is. I shut it off for like 10 minutes, and now it's fine. I have 5 fans so I've never had any problems with anything overheating. Even when I played games like Dead Space, Bioshock, Witcher, Fall Out 3, and F.E.A.R. 2 all at maximum settings, it never got that hot. I wouldn't think Sims 3 would cause problems on my PC. But if it's just going to overheat my video card everytime I play, I guess I have no choice but to stick to TS2. I'm going to try playing with some of the settings like Draw Distance turned down to see if it helps. If not, I don't know what else I could do.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 May 18, 19:21:49
I wish I could figure out why my game keeps crashing. I've tried lowering the settings and I even tried reinstalling, but it still crashes, usually in CAS. And now I don't think it's because of overheating because I have a tabletop fan pointed at my computer and it's nice and cool. There's like no heat at all now. So now I have no idea why it's crashing. I know it's not because of my video card not being good enough, but I guess it could be RAM. I only have 2 GB right now. If I had purchased this game, I would be really pissed.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: blackcat on 2009 May 18, 19:31:22
Do you have AMD dualcore by any chance? If so you might need DualCore optimizer from their site or manually appoint only one core to the game in task manager.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 18, 20:54:04
Well my torrent is taking its sweet damn time. I want to experience the horror. :(


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: KellyQ on 2009 May 18, 21:00:07
Well my torrent is taking its sweet damn time. I want to experience the horror. :(

Same here. At this rate I'm never going to be horrified!


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Jelenedra on 2009 May 18, 21:02:28
SEED, bitches. =p


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Mixreality on 2009 May 18, 21:04:38
I wish there was a stupid-questions-type-thread opened already, but I'm impatient and ZOMGexcited, so I'll bite...

About that unwrapping thing... Do we just mount the ISO with the suspicious setup.exe, then open it with WinRar and start the real .exe from there? Or there's more to it? If there is (more), can some kind awesome person write up a guide for dummies? Does the process involve extracting the ISO contents, fixing the setup and making a new ISO?



Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Giggy on 2009 May 18, 21:10:34
Let us know when TS3 sucks ass!

*Stuffeths removed

Reading failure FTL


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 18, 21:12:54
Try harder, Giggy. Mixreality is referring to the warning Pescado issued about a spyware-like wrapper on the iso in the TS3 L&P thread.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Giggy on 2009 May 18, 21:16:06
... Fuck.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 May 18, 21:42:51
Do you have AMD dualcore by any chance? If so you might need DualCore optimizer from their site or manually appoint only one core to the game in task manager.

Yes, this is my processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103228

I didn't have any problems with TS2 and I thought TS3 was supposed to work well with dual cores?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Lum on 2009 May 18, 22:43:25
Let's talk about rig set up for a moment: if a computer runs TS2 with all Expansions, can it run TS3? If not, is the game worth a new video card? How graphically intense is the game? Does it run pretty smooth or is it the type of game that kinda stretches and groans upon loading?

In short, is it superior to TS2 or just TS2 with a boob and paint job?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LFox on 2009 May 18, 22:53:38
Let's talk about rig set up for a moment: if a computer runs TS2 with all Expansions, can it run TS3? If not, is the game worth a new video card? How graphically intense is the game? Does it run pretty smooth or is it the type of game that kinda stretches and groans upon loading?

In short, is it superior to TS2 or just TS2 with a boob and paint job?

To be honest i think it might actually be less graphical intensive than TS2.  All textures, objects and details seem to be on a low quality load in unless your looking at them.  If you go a good distance from wherever your looking it'll take several moments to load everything in.  It'll have no model then it'll become a model with no texture then it'll load the texture.  It's all done relatively fast but the point is unless you can see it, it probably won't be taking up system resources.

Still need to test it with a super large house though.  That was the thing that really dragged down performance in TS2.  I'm not sure if it does this load what you see with your house when your at it or if it loads everything to do with your house.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Edana ni Emer on 2009 May 18, 23:15:31
I'm having a *really* weird problem with getting the blasted thing installed.  I'm running Vista, and even in the Administrator account, the setup.exe file from the .iso gives me a "destination folder access required" error.  I can't copy it, paste it, run it, open it... nothing.  I can't even put it in a zip file.   I've tried everything I can think of to give myself permission to mess with the blasted thing, but nothing works.

EDIT: Never mind, found a fixed installer.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: daydreamer on 2009 May 19, 00:38:12
Quote from: J.M. Pescado
Check your "Sims3Setup.exe" with WinRAR. If you can open it in WinRAR and find another one in there, along with a "codec.exe", you has it. That's the real one. Copy your CD contents, replace the wrapped version with the inside version.

*prepared for n00b pies to be thrown at me*

How do you do the bolded part? Do you burn it again or something?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: J. M. Pescado on 2009 May 19, 01:00:18
How do you do the bolded part? Do you burn it again or something?
You select the files and drag them to a folder on your desktop or something.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: daydreamer on 2009 May 19, 02:25:22
Ugh, the fucking download just wouldn't work for me. Everytime I downloaded it, it said that the file was damaged or unknown. Then, when I use the crack and keygen and press the TS3 icon, it said it's missing some 'dl3dx9_31.dll' file.

I'll just wait until the damn official release. The game can't worth the trouble I've been through.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: literatebse on 2009 May 19, 03:41:03
I almost hate to ask this, but has anyone had any luck with an arr'd version for Mac?  I'm away from PC's until the release, sadly...If this is a beta version, leaked from a preview, I would understand it not being around.  If, however, this is the release version, leaked through the manufacturer or the like, shouldn't a Mac-capable copy be floating around somewhere?  I can't find it, but I suck with the arr'ing.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 May 19, 03:48:21
I did some research and I found several people with the same video card I have that get a gray screen with vertical lines where they have to hit the power button and most of the time after restarting, have no video signal on the monitor. So I'm now positive my card's overheating, but I'm not really sure if there's anything I can do. I can't really add anymore fans and while I could remove the sides of the case like my brother did on his computer, I don't like how it looks and I'd rather not do that. I don't want to mess with water cooling, either. I'm looking into maybe getting this: http://www.akasa.co.uk/akasa_english/spec_page/vga_cooler/spec_ak_vc03_bluv.htm Would it help much? I've already tried turning the fan up on my video card and that didn't help.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: crunk on 2009 May 19, 06:47:04
Feel free to P&L/ignore this, but how reliable are the time estimates given by torrent programs? I'm using utorrent, and seeing a lot of fluctuation in the estimated time - anywhere from 11 hours up to 22 hours. I started about five hours ago and have about a gig and three quarters... so should I just estimate based on that?

Impatient cat is getting a little twitchy with her seemingly shitty internet connection.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: cassblonde on 2009 May 19, 11:42:02
I have a few questions for those that have the game:

I plan on upgrading my computer this week. My system currently has: 2 processors running - Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6320 @ 1.86GHz, 2.0 GB RAM, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (Build Service Pack 32600), NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT (GeForce 8600 GT) with 256 MB of video RAM, and 183.8 GB free on my hard drive. I'm adding a GB of RAM to bring me up to 3 GB of RAM and max out my useful RAM under XP but what I am really looking for is video card recommendations since I've heard it's not just video RAM I should be looking at.

Does any modder have a guess as to when a blur remover will be available? At this point I can see that will be my biggest annoyance.

My last question involves game play: While the active Sim family is busy with other things(at work, asleep, working through a bunch of things you've told them to do) can you take the camera and go wander around the Hood? If you do is there stuff going on or does stuff only happen on comm lots when your active Sim is there? I like the idea of being able to spy on, take pictures of and make up stuff about what the other Sims are doing while my playable Sim is otherwise occupied(and boring).


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: netza on 2009 May 19, 12:27:47
I have a few questions for those that have the game:

I plan on upgrading my computer this week. My system currently has: 2 processors running - Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6320 @ 1.86GHz, 2.0 GB RAM, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (Build Service Pack 32600), NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT (GeForce 8600 GT) with 256 MB of video RAM, and 183.8 GB free on my hard drive. I'm adding a GB of RAM to bring me up to 3 GB of RAM and max out my useful RAM under XP but what I am really looking for is video card recommendations since I've heard it's not just video RAM I should be looking at.

you will probably woun't have any problem running the game on high settings it that's what you mean... See no reason to upgrade your computer at all, esp. not when you're running XP.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: blackcat on 2009 May 19, 12:28:26
Tasha, try torrent from isohunt. It gathers almost all big trackers together and gave me a nice speed. And I don't get nice speed often.

I really love your avatar, it's very qute  ^__^ !


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: vcpink on 2009 May 19, 12:34:10
i downloaded from ISOHUNT in about 5 hours on DSL... had about 900-1000 peers, and about 100 seeds
there were about 10000 peers at that time.

EDIT:
anybody else notice the distinct lack of the creator camp stuff shown in the vids on thesims3.ea.com ... thought those houses and fams were supposed to be included... maybe they're like riverview, dl after authentication...


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: vcpink on 2009 May 19, 13:07:32
There is supposed to be a second hood available to registered owners from the exchange. Is there anyway to see what build number is on the torrent release?
yeah, just open the disk after burning or mounting and open the skuversion.txt in the root directory, mine says
Quote
GameVersion = 1.0.615.00107
Code:0.DL-0.0.11190
Asset:1.Content.Devtest.1397
Thumbnails:1.Thumbnail.dl.933
TCC:1.TCC.dl.1209
CiderVersion#002432


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 19, 13:18:31
Okay, it's P&L at phyllis time (suddenly I have an image of a dancing banana).  Be gentle, though, because I'm an ARRRR virgin.  (Hmm.  That really gets weird since it followed the banana reference).  Ahem .. anyway .....

Quote
The torrent sites are including the following instructions with their TS3 download:
Quote
2. Burn or mount the image.

So ... I've never, to my knowledge, mounted anything (gah! More sexual innuendo!), so I'll stick with the disk.  So, we actually unRAR the files, burn them to disk, then install from disk.  (Seems clunky, but I'll not question why it must be done this way).  Do we then have to use the disk whenever we play?  Or, if we do the following, does that eliminate the need for using the disk beyond install?

Quote from: Pescado link=topic=13970.msg429747#msg429747
Check your "Sims3Setup.exe" with WinRAR. If you can open it in WinRAR and find another one in there, along with a "codec.exe", you has it. That's the real one. Copy your CD contents, replace the wrapped version with the inside version.

And if we do the above, do we do it before copying to the disk and installing, or after?  It seems like you're saying "before," Big Fish, but I'm a nervous and uncertain F and want to be sure.  Also, if I do the above, does that eliminate the game trying to phone home, or is it better just to disconnect from the internet before playing?

I feel ultra dumb, and I almost sent this by PM, but I figure that if someone answers, many will benefit.



Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: netza on 2009 May 19, 13:21:03
Okay, it's P&L at phyllis time (suddenly I have an image of a dancing banana).  Be gentle, though, because I'm an ARRRR virgin.  (Hmm.  That really gets weird since it followed the banana reference).  Ahem .. anyway .....

Quote
The torrent sites are including the following instructions with their TS3 download:
Quote
2. Burn or mount the image.

So ... I've never, to my knowledge) mounted anything (gah! More sexual innuendo!), so I'll stick with the disk.  So, we actually unRAR the files, burn them to disk, then install from disk.  (Seems clunky, but I'll not question why it must be done this way).  Do we then have to use the disk whenever we play?  Or, if we do the following, does that eliminate the need for using the disk beyond install?

Quote from: Pescado link=topic=13970.msg429747#msg429747
Check your "Sims3Setup.exe" with WinRAR. If you can open it in WinRAR and find another one in there, along with a "codec.exe", you has it. That's the real one. Copy your CD contents, replace the wrapped version with the inside version.

And if we do the above, do we do it before copying to the disk and installing, or after?  It seems like you're saying "before," Big Fish, but I'm a nervous and uncertain F and want to be sure.  Also, if I do the above, does that eliminate the game trying to phone home, or is it better just to disconnect from the internet before playing?

I feel ultra dumb, and I almost sent this by PM, but I figure that if someone answers, many will benefit.



If you'll need the disk after the install depends on the crack, but I would guess you'll need it.

copying of the crack is done after the install, from the disk i guess if it's on the disk (I always mount).


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 19, 13:24:10
More ignorance here.  I've used no-CD cracks before, so I understand that concept.  Does the crack come with the torrent, or must it be downloaded separately?  (My torrent finished just before I left for work, so I haven't unRARed anything yet and don't really know what's there).


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: vcpink on 2009 May 19, 13:27:52
More ignorance here.  I've used no-CD cracks before, so I understand that concept.  Does the crack come with the torrent, or must it be downloaded separately?  (My torrent finished just before I left for work, so I haven't unRARed anything yet and don't really know what's there).

if you downloaded the rld-sim3.iso file (the one from PB/ISOHUNT) that isn't .rar'd but is just the plain iso file, then it should be in the /crack directory with the keygen

available here http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4901100/The_Sims_3-RELOADED.iso (http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4901100/The_Sims_3-RELOADED.iso)


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Inge on 2009 May 19, 13:28:19
I've never, to my knowledge, mounted anything (gah! More sexual innuendo!), so I'll stick with the dick.

Yes, might as well get started :)


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Mmmary on 2009 May 19, 13:29:34
Quote
So ... I've never, to my knowledge, mounted anything (gah! More sexual innuendo!), so I'll stick with the disk.

I hadn't, either, but 'mounting' turned out to be quick and easy. :) Download Daemon Tools Lite from here (http://www.daemon-tools.cc/eng/downloads), install, click the icon in the tray and find the iso file. Then you can browse the contents from My Computer just like you would if it was a regular CD. I'm almost certain it's easier than the other way.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 19, 13:38:29
I've never, to my knowledge, mounted anything (gah! More sexual innuendo!), so I'll stick with the dick.

Yes, might as well get started :)

Madame Teacosy! Shame on you for misquoting me *blush*

@Mmmary and Mixreality: Thanks, both of you, for your respones.  I wish I could have thought up a decent justification for staying home today so I could play around with all this, but alas, people here seem to depend on me.  I guess job security is a good thing :-)


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: maxon on 2009 May 19, 14:27:01
Feel free to P&L/ignore this, but how reliable are the time estimates given by torrent programs? I'm using utorrent, and seeing a lot of fluctuation in the estimated time - anywhere from 11 hours up to 22 hours. I started about five hours ago and have about a gig and three quarters... so should I just estimate based on that?

Impatient cat is getting a little twitchy with her seemingly shitty internet connection.

Think yourself lucky - mine currently says 23w.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 19, 14:29:40
Feel free to P&L/ignore this, but how reliable are the time estimates given by torrent programs? I'm using utorrent, and seeing a lot of fluctuation in the estimated time - anywhere from 11 hours up to 22 hours. I started about five hours ago and have about a gig and three quarters... so should I just estimate based on that?

Impatient cat is getting a little twitchy with her seemingly shitty internet connection.

Think yourself lucky - mine currently says 23w.

My initial estimate was given at 500+ hours.  In reality, it ended up taking 12+ hours.  It helped to sleep through a big chunk of it.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: vcpink on 2009 May 19, 14:32:46
Feel free to P&L/ignore this, but how reliable are the time estimates given by torrent programs? I'm using utorrent, and seeing a lot of fluctuation in the estimated time - anywhere from 11 hours up to 22 hours. I started about five hours ago and have about a gig and three quarters... so should I just estimate based on that?

Impatient cat is getting a little twitchy with her seemingly shitty internet connection.

Well utorrent and the like give you an estimate based on the current/recent down speed. It's either the actual down speed at the moment or the average of the last few seconds.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: crunk on 2009 May 19, 14:37:14
I've resigned myself to minimizing the program and ignoring it until I get the "your download is complete" pop up. Thanks for the info!


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kennyinbmore on 2009 May 19, 14:50:00
Feel free to P&L/ignore this, but how reliable are the time estimates given by torrent programs? I'm using utorrent, and seeing a lot of fluctuation in the estimated time - anywhere from 11 hours up to 22 hours. I started about five hours ago and have about a gig and three quarters... so should I just estimate based on that?

Impatient cat is getting a little twitchy with her seemingly shitty internet connection.

Think yourself lucky - mine currently says 23w.

Torrent speeds fluctuate based on the number of active seeders unless you're a member of a private tracker


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jaccirocker on 2009 May 19, 16:20:57
For all those experiencing problems with download speed try Azureus. I tried several last night and even though the one with the best speed ETA was 1d12h I woke up this morning and it had gone up to 1 week. I searched and found the above and was able to get it downloaded in 2 and half hours. I'm mounting it now and it all seems well so far.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: dawnkay on 2009 May 19, 18:36:19
I have the game downloaded but cant find the registration code. Could someone please post a code?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Alexia on 2009 May 19, 19:30:57
Has anybody managed to get all the rld-sim3.rars from rapidshare ? I've spent half the day downloading them and I find my self being unable to get parts 22-26. I've checked MediaUpLoad, but they seem to be blocked there too. Any help from fellow pirate cats would be appreciated.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Exiled on 2009 May 19, 20:18:14
Ugh, my computer has crashed twice while trying to torrent it from Demonoid.  Complete crash - I can't even restart, I have to turn the computer off and on again.  Before it crashes, my programs start to freeze up - I browse using Opera and Firefox simultaneously, and sometimes BOTH browsers have locked up at the same time for about 20 seconds.  The music in Winamp drops and comes back on. 

I'm on Vista, using uTorrent and downloading from Demonoid.  I use Windows Firewall and NAV 2009.  Can someone troubleshoot this and figure out why this is happening?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jello on 2009 May 19, 20:46:43
*unlurk* please don't eat me :P

Good grief, this game has my graphics card (HD 3850) instantly jumping to 99% load and 70c before the opening intro has finished, nevermind actually playing the thing. I know ATI haven't got the best reputation for good cooling, but I've not got a single app or game that manages that, and it's not an old card.


Yeah. When the game is loading or at the intro screens, or in CAS, my graphics card temperature skyrockets. My card generally runs hot anyway, but I was looking at temperatures in the high 80s. But when I start the actual game, the temperature plummets and stays at a reasonable level. Why do the intro menus do that?

It's very frustrating, especially since it doesn't seem to be a rendering issue (since as above, the game itself doesn't do it--and furthermore, when the window is not in focus, the temperature drops (even if stuff is still going on and the window is not actually covered up).


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Frally on 2009 May 19, 22:29:47
I spent 2 days downloading this bloody thing and now I can't install it. I'm getting an error message like so:

>SetupNew\setup.cpp(140)
PAPP:
PVENDOR:
PGUID:
$15.0.0.498

I am decidedly unawesome, so could anyone shed any light on what may be going wrong here?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JuliWolfe on 2009 May 19, 22:47:59
I've downloaded all 15 parts from http://www.warezscene.org/private.php?do=showpm&pmid=669265 and also downloaded Daemon Tools so I can mount images, however... I'm a bit of a hopeless noob when it comes to technical stuff.

Anyone willing to hold my cold, clammy hand and tell me the steps I need to take to get from here to actually playing the game?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: msalwaysright on 2009 May 19, 23:20:22
extreme lol.

I started with the mininova link my original d/l time estimate was 3ys 7wks.

I are restarting this torrent.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Frally on 2009 May 19, 23:24:03
Update with my problem, just in case anyone was having the same problem:

I downloaded the fixed setup exe and it works fine now. One of the downloads had a corrupted version, and of course, that's the one I chose!


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Exiled on 2009 May 19, 23:37:34
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v32/hbdragon88/th_bittorrent.png) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v32/hbdragon88/bittorrent.png)

My computer just crashed for a third time.  I notice that every time it freezes up, it seems that the downlaod speed drops to nothing and it takes about 20-30 seconds for it to unfreeze and download speed go up, as seen in the above picture.  Is that normal for a download? 

To test it out, I just torrented some music and it didn't freeze once.  I went to TPB and added those trackers and deleted the demonoid trackers, but it also froze and dropped off.  I've killed the download until I get further info about why this is happening and how I can prevent it.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Jarsie on 2009 May 20, 00:04:18
I have not posted here in a very long time. After reading all these posts, I've decided to ARRR my copy of TS3, since it doesn't look like it would be worth me spening the $50 which I don't have at the moment. My question is this:

I was going to try to DL from Pirate Bay or ISOhunt, but on both sites some guy named B_O_L_T has been posting a warning that the download contains a virus in the setup.exe file; it's a codec file. Actually, this is what this person says:

***contains virus***
The file Sims3Setup.exe is a self-deflating executable archive. It contains two files, the real "sims3setup.exe" and a file "codec.exe", the archive runs both when called by Autorun.exe. The file codec.exe is a virus dropper.

Before downloading from either site, I want to verify whether this is true or not. The Admin on PB says the DL checks out, but I"m leery of getting anyting on my computer that has a virus. Is there anyone who can verify this before I start?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: brownlustgirl on 2009 May 20, 01:07:35
Downloading from a private tracker that's open for registration, if anyone's interested. It's moving along, I should be finished in 4 hrs. since the public downloads are moving at a snail's pace.  The place is SeedGames.org (http://seedgames.org/details.php?id=1077&viewcomm=532#comm532). Hope it's okay to post this, if not then I am ready to be hit with nOob balls.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Genlisae on 2009 May 20, 02:53:39
And it would now appear I can't save. I keep getting an error 13 which according to the readme the pop up directs you to is 13: Post-save callback failure.

I have also run headlong into a complete game ruiner for me. I seem to recall this mentioned before but I can't recall where (could have been in the ingame help files for all I know) but the ageing slider applies to the current household only. Thus my sims who had a baby 5 sim days ago will still have a baby 20 somethings days from now. Meanwhile their neighbours who had a baby a day later are happily ignoring their toddler.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Insanity Prelude on 2009 May 20, 03:00:44
Getting 2 kB/s for download AND upload, and it's saying a firewall/router is limiting network traffic. How do I fix this without turning off my firewall?

Edit: it's ramped up to 16k download/0.5k upload. Umm...


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 20, 03:04:08
Getting 2 kB/s for download AND upload, and it's saying a firewall/router is limiting network traffic. How do I fix this without turning off my firewall?

Edit: it's ramped up to 16k download/0.5k upload. Umm...

Make an exception in your firewall to allow your torrent program through.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: coltraz on 2009 May 20, 03:07:19
You guys having problems actually getting the game to download should quit using torrents and use newsgroups instead.  :D Much faster.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Insanity Prelude on 2009 May 20, 03:10:21
Turns out it was more about where I was getting the torrent from- tried the SeedGames link above and I'm getting close to 200k. Sweet!

Interestingly, it's listing an upload speed of 70k but says "no incoming connections," even though I have my firewall set to make an exception for uTorrent.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Abbey on 2009 May 20, 03:38:08
I sound like a n00bcake, I know..feel free to beat me with a wet fish. I've unrarred all this stuff, like the files and such. Do I mount the image..and by the way WHERE is the image..Anyways, in the folder, there is a .sfv, 51 .r(#) files, a file that says RELOADED, another folder which I extracted from the first .rar, it contained another rar, where I extracted the game files, which also includes the crack and auto run, the set up, and the exe, a rar called data 1, a rar called data 2, and a rar called rld-sim 3. Should I unrar the 3 rars in the game file folder, where is the image? Where do I put all this?

-goes back to lurking-


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 20, 03:42:59
I love how all of the noobs preface their posts by giving us free reign to beat them with various objects.

It brings a tear to my eye.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Insanity Prelude on 2009 May 20, 03:46:40
Okay, so it seems to be a port forwarding issue. I'm not sure how to fix that with Comodo, or even if I should (although it does mean I'm not, technically, seeding and that's not very polite.)

Edit: Found out how to fix it, but is it risky to do so?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: noblesse_oblige on 2009 May 20, 04:08:47
ETA: Edited, because I didn't see literatebse's answer before I posted.

Sadly, the fact that it's hard to tell if this game is just a release candidate or is, in fact, the real deal - that does not bode well, I think, for the critical and/or commercial success of the game.  Don't get me wrong, it's an okay game, to be sure.  But, it's kind of a one trick pony as it is.  There's about, what, a handful of items in the object catalog; only 20 something hairstyles; various annoying behaviors...and no customization allowed, except through EA's shitty, overpriced Sim Store (which is basically a bunch of TS2 object imports)?  I kept thinking, while I was playing, oh this game could be so awesome if there could be meshes and mods, but, no.  I know that without CC I'm going to get bored of this game after a few sim generations (after I've seen all the game has to offer), and then it'll back to my overly hacked, historical themed 'hoods in TS2.

And for anyone having trouble with the torrents, have you tried the rapidshare and netload download options?  After I hit a 24.6% wall, I switched to downloading the 400mb pieces on netload, and I got the game within a few hours.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Lum on 2009 May 20, 04:18:40
The Seedgames link is a lifesaver for me after waiting for two days. It consolidated the 30% I had already downloaded; it should be done overnight.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Insanity Prelude on 2009 May 20, 04:51:22
Holy crap. It just went up to 500 kb/s.

Anyway, yeah... I want to believe too, from what I'm hearing, but it really wouldn't surprise me if this were the final, bugs and all.

Edit: Followed the directions to get Comodo to do port forwarding- it still says "no incoming connections" but I'm getting great download speed and uTorrent claims I've uploaded 400 MB. I'm confused.

Son of Edit: Looks like there was just a lag in the status reporting thingy.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 20, 05:02:02
Holy crap. It just went up to 500 kb/s.

Lucky jerkhead. I'm grabbing the SeedGames one, too, and mine refuses to go over 70 kb/s. Stupid university network.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Insanity Prelude on 2009 May 20, 05:21:06
Holy crap. It just went up to 500 kb/s.

Lucky jerkhead. I'm grabbing the SeedGames one, too, and mine refuses to go over 70 kb/s. Stupid university network.

That's still probably a lot better than the TPB one.

Stupid thing's back to saying there's no incoming connections... so how can I have uploaded anything?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 May 20, 05:27:19
Holy crap. It just went up to 500 kb/s.

Lucky jerkhead. I'm grabbing the SeedGames one, too, and mine refuses to go over 70 kb/s. Stupid university network.

Mine went between 900 kb/s and 1 mb/s. Actually, I think that's the highest speed I've ever gotten for a torrent. I got mine from TorrentSeed.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: rufio on 2009 May 20, 05:30:46
Well, my neighbor's wifi conked out at 2 AM last night, and I'm now at a coffee shop.  Mininova torrent has been downloading for about 30 hours, and is about 60% done, but I'm not really sure it's worth waiting it out, after reading the posts since I was last here and Zazazu's pictures/descriptions.  I did think it might be interesting to see what the unplayed sims did on their own on high autonomy, but it doesn't look like they actually do anything interesting, and the generic fugliness is unimpressive.  I mean, I like fugly sims in TS2 - their faces are interesting, and have character.  These sims are just generically pudgy and/or square-shaped.  Also, I was kind of hoping that it would be easy to switch houses, and sims rolling wants for spawn they shouldn't even know exist is definitely not cool.

I'm not sure it actually matters whether the Reloaded version is a beta or not, as I'm not convinced that EA could do much better anyway.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: dashakatrina on 2009 May 20, 05:59:32
im not sure if i can ask this here

but i need help installing the game

 so i installed the game

but i have no idea where to put the crack

thrs nothing that says installdirGameBin

so where exactly do i put it


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Vanni on 2009 May 20, 06:08:29
im not sure if i can ask this here

but i need help installing the game

 so i installed the game

but i have no idea where to put the crack

thrs nothing that says installdirGameBin

so where exactly do i put it

okay...I can't actually believe you are that dumb.

If you look under the sims 3 directory you will see a folder named Game...then a folder named Bin. And (shock, surprise) in the Bin directory you'll see the exe that you have to replace.



Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: dashakatrina on 2009 May 20, 06:15:36
i have nothing that says sims 3. exe at all

maybe i installed it wrong


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 20, 06:18:25
...Your crack. It should be named TheSims3.exe or something similar.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Merlin on 2009 May 20, 10:00:22
I downloaded it and now I want to install it but I don't have the registration code, can somebody help me please? ???


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: vcpink on 2009 May 20, 10:12:03
 I just found a funny conflict between some programs.
If you have The Sims 3 and AnyGameStarter for TS2, they might conflict and change the user directory for TS3 to the AGS directory.
Just so you know, you can fix this by removing AGS and the TS3 directory will reset to your Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\
I don't think this has been mentioned, but if it has, sorry for the redundancy.

Oh, and Merlin, check the \Crack\ folder in the .iso or disk you burned, there is a KeyGen in there.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Merlin on 2009 May 20, 10:18:50
Where can I find the registration code? Please help me, I want to play it just like you guys... :(


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: witch on 2009 May 20, 10:28:03
Where can I find the registration code? Please help me, I want to play it just like you guys... :(

Dear god, read the fucking post that answered you the first time you asked this question and stop spamming this thread. READ dammit.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Merlin on 2009 May 20, 10:29:16
Where can I find the registration code? Please help me, I want to play it just like you guys... :(

Dear god, read the fucking post that answered you the first time you asked this question and stop spamming this thread. READ dammit.
Sorry... :-[


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: raptureswild on 2009 May 20, 10:35:53
I realize this is kind of a n00by question, feel free to beat me with anything handy (though I might make a special request for anything black and leather).

Just because I have seen a conflicting instruction with the torrent instruction, I wanted to get some clarification.  Once I use the no-CD crack .exe replacement, do I have to turn off my internets or am I safe because that file will not try to connect to the internet?  I'm pretty sure this hasn't been asked before, and it's likely that's because it's such a dumb question, but I just wanted to make sure here in the event that others had seen the same comment and were a bit confused about whether or not to turn off internet access or block with a firewall.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: vcpink on 2009 May 20, 10:42:31
I realize this is kind of a n00by question, feel free to beat me with anything handy (though I might make a special request for anything black and leather).

Just because I have seen a conflicting instruction with the torrent instruction, I wanted to get some clarification.  Once I use the no-CD crack .exe replacement, do I have to turn off my internets or am I safe because that file will not try to connect to the internet?  I'm pretty sure this hasn't been asked before, and it's likely that's because it's such a dumb question, but I just wanted to make sure here in the event that others had seen the same comment and were a bit confused about whether or not to turn off internet access or block with a firewall.

I personally do not know, but, If you're really paranoid about it you could unplug/disconnect your connection while playing TS3. What are you using it for at that time anyway? But a more informed and knowledgeable person would be better suited to answer this.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jaccirocker on 2009 May 20, 13:41:20
Quote

Do not run. Ever. I set up my shortcut to go straight to the cracked exe, bypassing launcher.

Sorry if I sound stupid but how do you do that, I have just been turning off my wifi before I launch the game, but if there is another way please let me know.




Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 20, 13:48:27
Quote

Do not run. Ever. I set up my shortcut to go straight to the cracked exe, bypassing launcher.

Sorry if I sound stupid but how do you do that, I have just been turning off my wifi before I launch the game, but if there is another way please let me know.


Left-click the desktop shortcut, select Properties.  Edit the Target path to go to TS3.exe instead of the launcherwhatever.exe.  Apply. Save. Voila.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Abbey on 2009 May 20, 14:41:07
My crack doesn't seem to be working for this game. I generated the code, used it for registration, and now the game keeps asking me to enter it again and it won't accept the code. Does any one else have this problem ot knows how to fix it?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 20, 14:44:43
My crack doesn't seem to be working for this game. I generated the code, used it for registration, and now the game keeps asking me to enter it again and it won't accept the code. Does any one else have this problem ot knows how to fix it?

Are you using the launcher to start the game, and allowing the game to phone home (connect to the internet)?  If so, that's your problem.  Start using the crack, not the launcher.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 20, 15:58:43
Okay, I am taking the plunge and am in the midst of downloading. It took seven hours to get to 25%,  but I can live with that.  About the ISO files. Once they are burned to a disc what is their use? If we are playing with a no-cd crack, thus avoiding the deadly launcher,  do we run the disc with the ISO files?  Or are these files installed, in some way, on the hard drive. I hate to admit so much ignorance here, but I have been reading this thread over and over, and I just don't get it.  ??? This is my first experience doing anything like this.  But I am more than a little upset with EA at the moment and  feel I need to preview this game before buying it.  There are alot of things that aren't coming across as extremely likeable at this point.  I fully realize there will be changes made to the base game once EPs start flying at us, but  some of the core essentials of the game kinda leave me cold.  And I didn't really have very high hopes for this Sims3 from the moment it was announced.  So it isn't as if all my hopes have been squashed. It has been many months of 'wait and see' for me.

Anyway, I digress. My apologies. Yes, I am a total noob when it comes to arrring anything. I have done searches for information about the ISO files and now know what they are used for. I simply haven't been able to find out what to do with the disc.  :P  I think, and this is after four hours of searching and reading, that the disc will be used even with a no-cd crack?  Or do we install the ISO files from the disc? God, help me, I am so freakin' confused right now.  :P


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 20, 16:05:30
Well, I guess a clear indication of how much I'm liking the game is that I wish I could be at home today and play some more :-)   It has a lot of differences from TS2, but so far I've enjoyed it a great deal.  

@snowluv:  This was my first arrrr experience, too.  This is what I did:  I used WINRAR to unRAR the iso to a folder on my desktop.  Then I checked the setup exe with WINRAR to see if it would open -- some versions apparently have the real setup exe hidden within a virus-dropper of some sort.  Mine would not open, so all was good.  Then I clicked the setup exe to install the game.  When it asked for a serial code, I used the keygen in the Crack folder to generate it.  After installation, I took the TS3.exe file out (I'm sorry, I'm at work and don't have the complete path here) and put it in a safe place, then replaced it with the TS3.exe that is in the Crack folder.  Finally, I changed the Target of the desktop icon from the launcher exe to the TS3.exe.  No disk required.  I hope this was understandable and helps a bit.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 20, 16:10:44
Thanks, Phyllis. But I am still not understanding why we have to burn the ISO to disc, or what to do with it once we've done that.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 20, 16:15:20
Thanks, Phyllis. But I am still not understanding why we have to burn the ISO to disc, or what to do with it once we've done that.

Don't do that.

Don't use any disks at all.  (I know, I was confused at first as well).

One you've got the iso, unRAR it to desktop and go from there.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 20, 16:29:00
Thanks, Phyllis. I guess what you are explaining is what is called 'mounting' ?  The only tricky part then is being careful about the virus-dropper that is attached to some of the available downloads. The rest I know how to do because I removed SecuROM from my system and am familiar with using the no-cd crack. So, in reality, burning the ISO files to disc is unnecessary? If that's all there is to this why did I stay up half the night doing searches??  ::)  Because I am a noob.  ;D


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kennyinbmore on 2009 May 20, 16:31:52
Thanks, Phyllis. But I am still not understanding why we have to burn the ISO to disc, or what to do with it once we've done that.
snow hopefully this will help. Burning the iso to disc makes an install disc. I personally mount the iso with Daemon Tools and skip the burning part, but I don't want to confuse you. After burnign teh disc you install it like any other game. When it ask for the serial key, go to my computer, and to the drive where your disc is and right click and explore. You should see a crack folder with a key generator file inside. Run the key generator to get your serial key , then go back and continue the install. After the install is completed, don't start the game. Go back to the Crack folder, copy the exe crack and paste it into the actual gane directory where you installed the game. It should ask if you want to copy and replace the file, you of course click yes. After that clicking the exe file should start the game. The disc you burn is only for the  install and access to the crack folder. I hope that helps


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 20, 16:40:26
 ;D  Yes, it does make sense now. Thank you so much.  I don't know where I got turned around but once I headed down 'Confusion Lane' , it was all downhill from  there.   :D


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 20, 16:46:59
Thanks, Phyllis. I guess what you are explaining is what is called 'mounting' ?  The only tricky part then is being careful about the virus-dropper that is attached to some of the available downloads. The rest I know how to do because I removed SecuROM from my system and am familiar with using the no-cd crack. So, in reality, burning the ISO files to disc is unnecessary? If that's all there is to this why did I stay up half the night doing searches??  ::)  Because I am a noob.  ;D

No, it's what is called "what Phyllis did because it made sense to her and the other stuff did not."  :-)  Mounting involves using Daemon Tools or somesuch, from what I understand.  It does work.  Been playing happily for two days now.

It appears you understand a way to proceed now, though, so that's all that matters.  Have fun! 


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: spookymuffin on 2009 May 20, 19:08:29
I've only managed to play a little because the game keeps crashing to the desktop, no error messages or anything. It's happened four times in a row now, each time I only managed to get a few minutes of play in before the game crashed.

Is anyone else having this problem?

So, all I've really had the chance to enjoy is the new CAS. I'm liking what I've seen so far, but it doesn't really matter if I can't actually get the game to play for more than a few minutes.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 20, 20:52:57
What is this shit, somebody?

(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq143/Solowren2/wtf.jpg)


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Aner-Dyfan on 2009 May 20, 20:55:05
Solowren that looks like a corrupt iso, re-extact the iso from the rar and retry.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: mistyk on 2009 May 21, 02:24:09
Has any had any luck installing it on a Vista 64 bit system? I tried and it says it's not compatible with my version of Windows. Three days downloading the damn thing, I never thought I wouldn't be able to use it. Sad pirate cat is sad.

oh no! I have vista 64 bit and I am halfway through my download  :(.

Maybe there is a way to run it on the 32 bit. Maybe in the programs file not the programs x86 file?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: noblesse_oblige on 2009 May 21, 02:41:08
Maybe there is a way to run it on the 32 bit. Maybe in the programs file not the programs x86 file?

Maybe. All I know is that I hit the setup app and it told me it wasn't compatible.
That's strange.  I have Vista 64-bit, and it works fine on my computer.  I've been playing for the last two days straight, no crashes even.   I didn't get a compatibility message when I tried to install it, though.  Did the pop-up specifically mention Vista 64-bit?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: mistyk on 2009 May 21, 02:49:13
Maybe there is a way to run it on the 32 bit. Maybe in the programs file not the programs x86 file?

Maybe. All I know is that I hit the setup app and it told me it wasn't compatible.
That's strange.  I have Vista 64-bit, and it works fine on my computer.  I've been playing for the last two days straight, no crashes even.   I didn't get a compatibility message when I tried to install it, though.  Did the pop-up specifically mention Vista 64-bit?

oh good. My download will continue then... I also have the thing on pre-order and my spawns are dying to play, I was afraid I was going to have to disappoint them..


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: noblesse_oblige on 2009 May 21, 03:15:47
"This version of the file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running. Check your computer's system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher."
That's what it says.
What SP do you have installed with Vista?  I read the readme that came with my iso, but it didn't say anything about not being compatible with Vista 64.  BUT, make sure you have SP1 with Vista.  That's what the game was made to work with, and that's what the readme specifically referenced. If you have SP2 or SP3, that could be what's causing the problems.  Maybe?  I'm shit with troubleshooting; and, if it's not the SP issue, I really don't know what could be the problem.  You may have gotten a version that's not compatible with Vista 64 - if that's even possible.

If it helps, I downloaded my copy from Netload (http://www.btarena.org/games/the-sims-3-reloaded); that's the one that is compatible with Vista 64 for me.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Panastasia on 2009 May 21, 03:22:53
I have Vista 64-bit and it works fine on my computer.

Random tidbit:  If you pull up the cheat window and type in "jokeplease" (sans punctuation), you get a random joke, one of which was, "Did you hear about that new pirate movie?  It's rated ARRRR!"


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: seanachai on 2009 May 21, 03:37:38
I don't think Vista has an SP2 or SP3 yet, actually.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: noblesse_oblige on 2009 May 21, 04:11:23
I don't think Vista has an SP2 or SP3 yet, actually.
Really?  I thought Vista did.  Oh well, then I have no idea why it wouldn't work.


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: reddgiraffe on 2009 May 21, 05:09:27
Would it be a bad idea for me, full of complete noob-ishness, to even think of downloading the torrent?


Title: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 21, 05:12:39
Would it be a bad idea for me, full of complete noob-ishness, to even think of downloading the torrent?

No way! It are easy.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: reddgiraffe on 2009 May 21, 05:50:51
Okie dokie. Can somebody explain to me how to do it and where I can get the torrent in the first place?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 21, 05:53:50
Oh, come now. You can at least use your brain enough to use a search engine on a torrent website.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: reddgiraffe on 2009 May 21, 05:58:45
Haha, yeah. You're right. I'm just tired and my brain is malfunctioning. Sims 3 will have to wait til tomorrow. Night, everybody. I'll try to be on in the morning to see if people's opinions of sims 3 can get any shittier.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: coltraz on 2009 May 21, 06:08:32
You'll have to learn how torrents work. That should be your first google search. Then google how to mount .iso files, and how to extract them. Then it would cease to be a bad idea.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Insanity Prelude on 2009 May 21, 06:12:20
After a lengthy session of play, I tried to save and quit. It did its usual "Saving..." thing for a while and then spat an error message at me: "error code 13," which according to the readme is a post-save callback failure, whatever that means.

Oddly, it didn't give me any errors when I went through Save As... (after I realized I was accidentally saving over my first file.) But any other means, even after saving under a different name, gives me the same error.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Kyna on 2009 May 21, 06:34:56
You'll have to learn how torrents work. That should be your first google search. Then google how to mount .iso files, and how to extract them. Then it would cease to be a bad idea.

Or she could just read our FAQ, which includes brief step-by-step instructions on how to torrent.

All these newcomers turning up and asking how to torrent.  It would appear that none of them have bothered to even glance at the list of contents in the FAQ.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: brownlustgirl on 2009 May 21, 08:34:12
That's how I learned.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Erry on 2009 May 21, 10:14:34
Ok, I don't know where to post this but I was trying to install TS3 and when it goes halfway through, it can't find the 'da-DK' directory... anyone know how to fix it, or mind giving me the .dll file in there?  :-\

BTW, this is the directory: 'F:\Game\Bin\bin\da-DK' though the 'da-DK' doesn't exist on it...  :-\

(http://i44.tinypic.com/k1orkl.jpg)

(http://i44.tinypic.com/160pyd1.jpg)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: maxon on 2009 May 21, 14:45:57
Yeah, there is only SP 1, which I obviously have. Maybe I'm doing it wrong? I've noticed the instructions I've found are for XP and not Vista. Could that be my problem? I click mount the image through daemon, then I click the ISO, open folder to view files, and then I double click Sims3Setup (application). I tried to download the one you have but it's the same one so it just started seeding it. I've obviously got the right one but I have to be doing something wrong or my computer is just being a bitch.

Nah - you do it exactly the same way with Vista: mount the image, click the exe - exactly the same.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Witchboy on 2009 May 21, 14:57:32
You have a PM Erry :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 May 21, 15:40:51
Nah - you do it exactly the same way with Vista: mount the image, click the exe - exactly the same.

Then I'm out of ideas and getting kinda frustrated. If I'm doing it right, have the right file etc why the heck is it saying it's not compatible? I've been trouble shooting, googling and reading for hours. I got nothing.

What do you see when you mount the image (.iso)?  Daemon should have created a virtual drive that essentially operates as the game DVD.  You mount the .iso in that drive.  The files should then be visible on that drive.  You should be able to install from there as easily as if you had a disk in a physical DVD drive.  Not happening?


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 21, 16:00:20
By the way guys, not a n00b Ive been here before but just registered again since I lost my old screenname. So where am I supposed to download this? I know of a download, but Im worried of viruses and want to try it out and help ya'll alittle. Linkage would be great in a message or something. :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 21, 16:05:26
I am such a phailure. I downloaded this from Mininova after downloading and installing Vuze to handle the torrent. It saved it as a zip file. I waited and waited  26 hours for it to finish downloading. Got home from work this morning and opened the zip file. And nothing in there makes any effin' sense. Why didn't it save the download in WinRAR? When I opened my WinRAR it showed the download as still being a zip file. Nothing in the folder says The Sims3 install.exe. Aaand... the date on the setup.exe is April 18th. If I weren't so damn tired I'd probably be banging my head on my desk.  I am not a stupid person ( please hurl heavy objects now ) but this whole thing has me gritting my teeth and using language more befitting a true pirate.  :P

I send my apologies to Phyllis because I have proven myself to be a very inept student.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 21, 16:09:01
@snowluv:  What's in the zip folder?  We can't help you make sense of it if you don't tell us.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Sigmund on 2009 May 21, 16:22:22
Ok, I don't know where to post this but I was trying to install TS3 and when it goes halfway through, it can't find the 'da-DK' directory... anyone know how to fix it, or mind giving me the .dll file in there?  :-\

BTW, this is the directory: 'F:\Game\Bin\bin\da-DK' though the 'da-DK' doesn't exist on it...  :-\

[snip]

It's possible your download might have gotten corrupted or is incomplete, I don't know. I did check my directory, though, and have the file if you want to give it a shot (http://www.mediafire.com/?eywmm5tjdno). *shrug*


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SciBirg on 2009 May 21, 16:47:44
Erry, it sounds like you are trying to install the game in Danish...
Try installing it in English instead.

BTW, I have never installed the game in my native Norwegian even once. Maybe I should try that sometime?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 21, 16:50:52
Is this download okay? http://torrentseed.org/details.php?id=6629 (http://torrentseed.org/details.php?id=6629)

I'll remove the link once I get a response. :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 21, 17:05:17
@snowluv:  What's in the zip folder?  We can't help you make sense of it if you don't tell us.

Gosh, Phyllis. I am surprised you're still hanging out here. But here goes.... dxwebsetup.exe   application   Oct.2007
                                                                                                        vccredist_86.exe                    11/17/2008           
                                                                                                         data.tptb                              May   2009
                                                                                                        data 2                                    May 2009
                                                                                                        data 3                                   May 2009
                                                                                                        data 4                                   May 2009
                                                                                                        data 5                                   May 2009
                                                                                                        reg.dll                                    March 2001
                                                                                                        regsetup.dll                            May 2009
                                                                                                        setup.bat                               May 2009
                                                                                                        tptb.dll                                  April 28 2009
                                                                                                        tptb.exe                                May  2009                             

Obviously, I am missing something because I do not see a Sims3.exe and one of the .exe files is dated October 2007 . Is that from a program this person uses in order to create a torrent? I checked the comments left for this download and everyone there seems to know what they are doing and are playing the game as I continue to bang my head upon my desk.  Do I extract the files from the zip to my desktop and burn it all to disc then install from the disc?  Or am I just screwed for being such a noob?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 21, 17:10:27
@snowluv -- I live here :-)  I are Senator, after all ;-)

I don't know for sure, but it looks like your download might have some kind of self-extracting thing associated with it.  You might click setup and see what happens (unless someone wiser than I advises against it).  I know that when I downloaded mine, it came in about 55 RAR files, and in order to create the iso I had to unRAR them all together.  After all that unRARing, I got the iso, and two other files -- .svc and .nfo, if I recall.  So ... I'd extract from zip, try setup and see what you get.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SciBirg on 2009 May 21, 17:14:27
Try opening the tptb.exe file in WinRAR and see what happens. It looks like a self-extracting RAR-archive (or equivalent).


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 21, 17:16:47
None of those seem like a game file...is the zip file like this: rld-sim3.r(##)? If so it's probably real that I'd know of...


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SciBirg on 2009 May 21, 17:19:20
Yes, I agree, they do sound kind of fishy...



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 21, 17:29:45
With the link I posted I'm already at 99.1% and it's been a half hour. Is that strange? there are 40 seeders and 10 peers. It has pretty normally named rars. But I was wondering is this one of the ones that had the supposed virus if that one even existed?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 21, 17:37:51
@snowluv: I went to your torrent site and found the one you downloaded.  It's supposed to be in a zip folder.  You may want to go back to the site and read the comments.  It looks like the installation is a bit different than what I and others have been working with, which is why your files look so different.  More than one person couldn't figure out how to install, but they have instructions (more or less) over there.

Well, enough procrastinating for me. I need to get back to work ;-)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 May 21, 17:46:42
With the link I posted I'm already at 99.1% and it's been a half hour. Is that strange? there are 40 seeders and 10 peers. It has pretty normally named rars. But I was wondering is this one of the ones that had the supposed virus if that one even existed?

This does not sound right.  The game is 5 Gb in size (give or take a byte or two).  It is inconceivable that it would download in half an hour with only 40 seeders.  You may have a promo or a "just the crack and keygen" file or something of that nature.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 21, 17:55:15
@snowluv: I went to your torrent site and found the one you downloaded.  It's supposed to be in a zip folder.  You may want to go back to the site and read the comments.  It looks like the installation is a bit different than what I and others have been working with, which is why your files look so different.  More than one person couldn't figure out how to install, but they have instructions (more or less) over there.

Well, enough procrastinating for me. I need to get back to work ;-)

Thanks,everyone. I hit the TPTB.exe and it is a self-extracting file. Everything is now in My Documents in it's own folder. And little wonder I have been bugging you with the wrong questions. I should have realized why I was so confused. I was trying to make sense out of two very different types of downloads that each have their own instructions for installation.  Good Grief.  I will let you all know how it goes . After all of this Sims3 had better be worth it!!  ::)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 21, 18:02:19
Its size is: 4.94 GB (5,298,994,158 bytes)

And it 45 minutes so alittle bit over. at like 1.5mb/sec on average. On bittorent btw. I wonder if that is one of the ones with that virus that may or may not exist. Where did you all download?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: mistyk on 2009 May 21, 18:04:15
What do you see when you mount the image (.iso)?  Daemon should have created a virtual drive that essentially operates as the game DVD.  You mount the .iso in that drive.  The files should then be visible on that drive.  You should be able to install from there as easily as if you had a disk in a physical DVD drive.  Not happening?

No, that is happening. But when I click anything to try to install it just tells me I can't because it's not compatible. I'm downloading again in hopes that the download/iso got corrupted along the way. I'll report back if that helps, tonight (only about 30% t this point). On to day four of this saga *sigh*.

Having to start over really sucks. I am starting to think something is wrong with my download, been going since 5:42pm yesterday and its now only at 47%. Is there anyway to speed this up?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SciBirg on 2009 May 21, 18:04:39
What do you see when you mount the image (.iso)?  Daemon should have created a virtual drive that essentially operates as the game DVD.  You mount the .iso in that drive.  The files should then be visible on that drive.  You should be able to install from there as easily as if you had a disk in a physical DVD drive.  Not happening?

No, that is happening. But when I click anything to try to install it just tells me I can't because it's not compatible. I'm downloading again in hopes that the download/iso got corrupted along the way. I'll report back if that helps, tonight (only about 30% t this point). On to day four of this saga *sigh*.

Have you tried editing the compatibility? (Right-click on .exe file, select properties, Compatibility and set it to XP or Vista 32, whichever pops up).
Also, try righ-click > Run as Administrator on the file.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 21, 18:12:28
Well, I trotted over to Mininova and someone pulled the torrent I had downloaded, along with all the comments associated with it.  Or they have hidden it and I can't find it. But the newest torrents listed all have a May 21, 2009 posting date. Sooo, it looks as if EA yanked it.  I am going to find a different one to download and hopefully it will be more in line with the ones all of you have, and the installation won't be quite so confusing.  Well, I can hope, can't I?  :-\


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: mistyk on 2009 May 21, 18:14:56
Have you tried editing the compatibility? (Right-click on .exe file, select properties, Compatibility and set it to XP or Vista 32, whichever pops up).
Also, try righ-click > Run as Administrator on the file.

Yes indeedy, I have. Does nothing. Thanks for the idea though. I tried that a few times just for good measure. I got really pissed at one point. I had to walk away or I might have punched my computer. Not many things make me that angry but computers are pretty much number one on that lst.

Having to start over really sucks. I am starting to think something is wrong with my download, been going since 5:42pm yesterday and its now only at 47%. Is there anyway to speed this up?

Ouch, that sounds like the first site I tried. I tried every site people here suggested (I'm not kidding) and the only that moves at a good pace is the one from seedgames.com. You have to register but it's open registration. I've been downloading for three hours and I'm almost at 35%. I'd stop the download you have, it'll probably take another couple days to download.

I just deleted that one, and I am trying seedgames, here's to hoping this moves faster.
Thanks for the info.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 21, 19:35:04
Hmm. After running just fine last night, my game now hangs at the loading screen. Music does not play. The bar does not progress.

Advice?


ETA: Never mind. Computer restart fixed it.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JennyJenny on 2009 May 21, 19:55:02
I've been having frequent crashes, with no immediately evident link. I have a few suspicions (bad download, corrupt something or other, etc) but I am also running it w/ an Nvidia GeForce 7500 LE, which is not listed specifically in the system requirements (7400 and 7600 are, but these numbers must not mean what I think they mean).

The worst part of being an early adopter on this is that there isn't any commonly known fixes for things like this yet.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 May 21, 20:05:36
Well, I trotted over to Mininova and someone pulled the torrent I had downloaded, along with all the comments associated with it.  Or they have hidden it and I can't find it. But the newest torrents listed all have a May 21, 2009 posting date. Sooo, it looks as if EA yanked it.  I am going to find a different one to download and hopefully it will be more in line with the ones all of you have, and the installation won't be quite so confusing.  Well, I can hope, can't I?  :-\

You said everything went to My Documents.  What did that stuff look like?  It sounds like you might have everything you need and just need to install.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 21, 20:17:08
I know that disclaimers won't earn me jack here, but I'm pretty sure I've read all posts (definitely the long one before the split, then did text searches in this thread), and have not seen this asked:

Does the arr'd version/image that seems to be the main release (the reloaded one, have seen it anywhere from 4-5gb on various places) also include the mac/OSX version? I'm pretty sure I've seen one person talk about the performance on their mac, but I do not see a separate release for it on torrents or usenet.

Not crucial, just curious. I'm on vacation and pretty bandwidth-free so cannot arr yet.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 May 21, 20:20:58
Does the arr'd version/image that seems to be the main release (the reloaded one, have seen it anywhere from 4-5gb on various places) also include the mac/OSX version? I'm pretty sure I've seen one person talk about the performance on their mac, but I do not see a separate release for it on torrents or usenet.

I have seen comments to the effect that one of the reloaded versions available from TPB either includes a Mac version or runs on the Mac.  There is no way for me to confirm this at present, however.  I would suggest reading comments before starting download.  Also you may be able to review an included files list which may include information of that sort.



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 21, 20:26:10
Thanks, I'll check TPB. I'd been reading the comments on another site instead and they were more of the OMG IS THIS REAL!? content level.  ::)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 21, 20:30:03
I think the only way to find out is by trying to run it on your mac :) I'm still kinda shaky on whether or not what I downloaded is good, I mean it looks legitimate it has the right .rar names and everything the only thing is it took me only an hour to download. Is it just that my compy is really good, and a lot of seeders? I mean it is the right size but could there be a virus? I wonder if anyone else downloaded it..hmm.
But I just did a search and it ended up saying win/mac sims 3 leaked. So Im going to guess its for both versions. It may be inacurate but it seems it may be compatible. Good luck!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 21, 20:33:55
After looking at the TPB torrent that mentions mac (thanks jolrei), I'm gonna theorize that the disc image they ripped contains the installers for both PC & Mac, so probably any of these ~5gb releases will work for either. I won't be able to verify this till tomorrow, but sharing the theory for info's sake.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Piffle on 2009 May 21, 20:41:44
After looking at the TPB torrent that mentions mac (thanks jolrei), I'm gonna theorize that the disc image they ripped contains the installers for both PC & Mac, so probably any of these ~5gb releases will work for either. I won't be able to verify this till tomorrow, but sharing the theory for info's sake.

The copy from TPB contains a Mac folder, so I'm thinking you're right.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: mistyk on 2009 May 21, 20:48:35
After looking at the TPB torrent that mentions mac (thanks jolrei), I'm gonna theorize that the disc image they ripped contains the installers for both PC & Mac, so probably any of these ~5gb releases will work for either. I won't be able to verify this till tomorrow, but sharing the theory for info's sake.

Except if you get it from TPB you might be waiting a few days. The one I downloaded from seedgames.com had comments from Mac users who installed and played it fine. I'd suggest getting it from there, but that's just me.

TashaFaun is correct about the wait time, I canceled my download from TPB, after about 15 hours I was still only at 42%, I am now downloading from seedgames, and after only 2 1/2 hours I am at 60%


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 21, 20:50:55
I'm actually more of the usenet binaries persuasion than torrenting (the first rule of fight club...), but thank you for the information.

If I wasn't sitting in a cabin with dialup speeds I'd have it going now. :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: mistyk on 2009 May 21, 21:25:35
TashaFaun is correct about the wait time, I canceled my download from TPB, after about 15 hours I was still only at 42%, I am now downloading from seedgames, and after only 2 1/2 hours I am at 60%

*Shakes fist at your better net connection* TPB one was at 42% after 48 hours and I'm on 60% from seedgames after 6 hours. BOO!  :D

Sorry, but shake fists at my mom, she lives next door and I tap into her net connection. Why pay for my own when I can use hers..lol


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 21, 21:32:45
It looks like my game is hanging again--this time during moving two just-married Sims in with each other. It has been "processing" for at least 5 minutes... I doubt it is supposed to take that long.

Lame. I have not saved in a while. Learned my lesson the hard way.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 21, 21:54:13
Well, I trotted over to Mininova and someone pulled the torrent I had downloaded, along with all the comments associated with it.  Or they have hidden it and I can't find it. But the newest torrents listed all have a May 21, 2009 posting date. Sooo, it looks as if EA yanked it.  I am going to find a different one to download and hopefully it will be more in line with the ones all of you have, and the installation won't be quite so confusing.  Well, I can hope, can't I?  :-\

You said everything went to My Documents.  What did that stuff look like?  It sounds like you might have everything you need and just need to install.

There are no ISO files anywhere that has a  big arrow pointed to it. Everything that is in there are dat files.  I have started a new download from seedgames that is in WinRAR form and says it has a separate ISO file as well as the crack file. I think this one will be easier for me to understand. I want to do this right so I will learn from this experience. I am anxious to play the game but knowing how to do this has become my biggest priority. Kinda like a game, you know? I have learned quite a bit from this little adventure. Thanks for checking in. I'll be back as soon as the download is finished.  ;)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 21, 22:52:26
I had a similar problem as Solowren. The neighborhood cache file would not install and I had to press ignore. However the issue was not that it wouldn't transfer, the issue that it was reporting was that the file was not the same as the file in the Data.cab files. I don't suppose someone can upload that file for me so that I can be sure that I have a working one? I'd hate to have to go find another torrent or re-torrent the one I did find. I thought everything was fine, but after making a sim and sticking her on the most expensive lot, every attempt I make at putting down a foundation crashes the game. It seems to only be that lot. Has anyone tried building on the most expensive lot yet?

Ah, and if anyone has weird graphics issues with the trees, that they look pixelated but everything else is fine, try changing the resolution. Apparently only two of them work on my machine.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Candice on 2009 May 21, 22:59:22
The game randomly freezes in live mode on my system:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+
2x NVidia GeForce 8800 GT
4GB RAM
Windows XP

According to Everest Ultimate Edition, all temperatures are normal.
The Sims 2 and other 3d games, for example Far Cry 2, run fine.

I tried to solve the problem with the Dual Core optimizer (version 1.1.4) that was mentioned in post #12. I never used that tool before so perhaps nOOb-me did something wrong: I started the game up to the neighbourhood view, went back to windows, unchecked one core for the TS3.exe process in windows task manager and went back to the game. It froze even faster than it used to while running at two cores.
Disabling SLI mode didn't change anything either.

Can either of you provide any suggestions what to try next?


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: smallvillerocks on 2009 May 21, 23:42:36
Hey, ok it doesn't work at all for me, I'm on Vista, I meet the requirements but all I get is a black screen then I'm kicked back to desktop, I've tried everything to get it to work, cos the iso is a big file I can't put it on my C drive, so it's all on my D drive, not sure if that causes a problem or not, but either way it refuses to load, anyone able to shed any light? I really wanted to play it. :(

edit: grammar


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: farmersimmer on 2009 May 21, 23:58:46
Hey, ok it doesn't work at all for me, I'm on Vista, I meet the requirements but all I get is a black screen then I'm kicked back to desktop, I've tried everything to get it to work, cos the iso is a big file I can't put it on my C drive, so it's all on my D drive, not sure if that causes a problem or not, but either way it refuses to load, anyone able to shed any light? I really wanted to play it. :(

edit: grammar
Don't know if this will make a difference,but try using daemon tools lite and mount the ISO with that ,hope that makes it play.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 22, 01:04:49
One problem, I've used Daemon before but always uninstall it. When trying to install it, it tries to install this weird security software...Is it supposed to do that?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Kyna on 2009 May 22, 01:05:57
Ouch, that sounds like the first site I tried. I tried every site people here suggested (I'm not kidding) and the only that moves at a good pace is the one from seedgames.com. You have to register but it's open registration. I've been downloading for three hours and I'm almost at 35%. I'd stop the download you have, it'll probably take another couple days to download.

I must be doing it wrong.  I go to seedgames.com and all I get on any page I click there are lists of links to other websites.  I don't see anywhere to register or download torrents.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 22, 01:18:00
For people having technical issues, I just wanted to mention a few things that are probably obvious to most, but still might help some people:

--Make sure you're using the latest video drivers for your video card. If you've had the card a long time, used a lot of different driver versions or 'rollbacks' it may be worth using a driver cleaner and starting from scratch. If you're using a laptop with an ATI mobility chipset, you may want to check out Mobility Modder, they may have newer ATI-compatible drivers than your laptop manufacturer has available.

--also try to find updated drivers for any other hardware (audio etc)

--It's probably a good idea to let Windows do its update thing and get the latest service packs and hotfixes

--Defrag your harddrives if you're not doing it automagically

--Run a full virus and spyware scan

--Speaking of virus and spyware scanning, if you're running anything hardcore, or with real-time scanning, you may want to try temporarily disabling it during gameplay and see if it improves anything

Again, I know this is probably basic stuff to most, but it really can make a difference.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: mistyk on 2009 May 22, 01:18:26
Ouch, that sounds like the first site I tried. I tried every site people here suggested (I'm not kidding) and the only that moves at a good pace is the one from seedgames.com. You have to register but it's open registration. I've been downloading for three hours and I'm almost at 35%. I'd stop the download you have, it'll probably take another couple days to download.

I must be doing it wrong.  I go to seedgames.com and all I get on any page I click there are lists of links to other websites.  I don't see anywhere to register or download torrents.

its not .com as was previously posted,. it is http://seedgames.org


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ciane on 2009 May 22, 01:22:43
Tasha, I like that term "automagically." Really, I do.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Marhis on 2009 May 22, 01:37:03
Does the arr'd version/image that seems to be the main release (the reloaded one, have seen it anywhere from 4-5gb on various places) also include the mac/OSX version?

I can confirm it does. The Mac version shows up correctly, the keygen generates a working key, and it installs exactly as it should. I couldn't play that version, though, because at launch it will ask for internet connection and blah blah blah verification, therefore I didn't go further.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Kyna on 2009 May 22, 02:01:48
I must be doing it wrong.  I go to seedgames.com and all I get on any page I click there are lists of links to other websites.  I don't see anywhere to register or download torrents.
its not .com as was previously posted,. it is http://seedgames.org

Oops, sorry, Kyna!

No biggie, I'm downloading it now.  It's flying down, and it looks like I'll be playing the game tonight instead of waiting another 3 days.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Dizzymental on 2009 May 22, 10:03:52
As I posted elsewhere, I've a suspicion that the no-cd/no-dvd crack that people are downloading with the torrent is buggy.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Lorelei on 2009 May 22, 10:43:21
As I posted elsewhere, I've a suspicion that the no-cd/no-dvd crack that people are downloading with the torrent is buggy.


It does seem to be very touchy. It took four tries with WinRAR to get the iso usable by Daemon. What changed? Not a damn thing. Perhaps a file of that size is just prone to misbehavior on my machine. It also does not like being stored on one drive and extracted to another. It also requires a LOT of elbow room. Plan on double the space it claims to need, to be sure.

ETA: It also wants to phone home and sulks when told no, so more poking with sharp sticks is required.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Gelina on 2009 May 22, 12:18:33
I, of course, am experiencing technical problems when trying to play the game.  This isn't overly surprising since I think my computer is infected with an evil spirit and has technical problems with everything.  I'm on Windows Vista, Intel Duo Core E6850 @3.00GB, 4GB of Ram with an Radeon 3800 series video card, so my computer more than meets the minimum specs.  I play in windowed mode and don't have Norton.

My problem began a couple days ago when I was building a new home for my sim family.  After spending 45 minutes and 2 years' worth of patience, I finally got to the point of putting the final touches on and the game suddenly closed.  No error message, no computer crash, the game just closed.  I tried restarting the game and it wouldn't load - it would start to load and then immediately close.  So I rebooted, had a few drinks, and tried again.  This time the game loaded, but I had no graphics other than the cursor arrow pointer.  The music was going and everything seemed to be working, but my screen was black.

I then uninstalled and reinstalled the game and everything worked fine graphics wise.  But now, I'm experiencing random game closing on more regular intervals.  Sometimes I can play for an hour with no problems, other times every 2 minutes the game shuts itself down.

This behavior most closely reminds me of how TS2 acted when I was infected with Securom, but that doesn't seem possible with a torrented version.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 May 22, 12:25:14
This behavior most closely reminds me of how TS2 acted when I was infected with Securom, but that doesn't seem possible with a torrented version.

Unless you are running without a no-DVD crack.  Then it would be entirely possible.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: carliegirl on 2009 May 22, 13:58:53
Did anyone get a box saying that you have to connect to the internet while on the loading screen? And if so, how did you get past this? Also, I am on a Mac if that helps.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Marhis on 2009 May 22, 14:24:54
Did anyone get a box saying that you have to connect to the internet while on the loading screen? And if so, how did you get past this? Also, I am on a Mac if that helps.

I did (and I'm on a Mac too), but I didn't get past. The Mac version still lacks of a cracked .app, I'm afraid.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TapThatBooty on 2009 May 22, 14:34:19
I don't understand this. I FINALY finished downloading it last night, and tried to play it for a little while. It loads quickly, and I can get into the NH, but when I'm loading CAS or trying to get into a house, the game just completely closes on me without even an error message or anything. I uninstalled and reinstalled and I'm still getting the same problem. I used the System Requirements Lab thing and it says my game is more than capable to run it. I've updated my drivers and it still happens.
Can anyone give me any clue about how to get around this please?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jriggs on 2009 May 22, 15:04:57
I am going to post this here since I am not sure where it should go.  I was on my isp homepage this morning and thy run scrolling news stories.  In the entertainment section they had a story about Sims 3 and there was an acknowledgment from EA about the piracy and they had this to say-

"EA said the pirated version "is a buggy, pre-final" version of the game.

"It's not the full game. Half of the world _ an entire second city _ is missing," said spokeswoman Holly Rockwood in a statement.

Not sure what to make of it but I haven't heard anything else like this yet so there you go.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: brownlustgirl on 2009 May 22, 15:07:28
Well, there it goes. Been waiting for a response. Do you have a link?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Sigmund on 2009 May 22, 15:10:37
"It's not the full game. Half of the world _ an entire second city _ is missing," said spokeswoman Holly Rockwood in a statement.

Odd. EA said earlier that the only way to get a second neighborhood would be to download it from the exchange, and that it would only ship with one. Either EA changed their minds or they're scrambling.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: leaths on 2009 May 22, 15:12:57
I found the AP story. link (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i2Ts-zyPtq_1NOZV49oeN7ZvY4RgD98BBEMG0)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Dizzymental on 2009 May 22, 15:15:13
I am going to post this here since I am not sure where it should go.  I was on my isp homepage this morning and thy run scrolling news stories.  In the entertainment section they had a story about Sims 3 and there was an acknowledgment from EA about the piracy and they had this to say-

"EA said the pirated version "is a buggy, pre-final" version of the game.

"It's not the full game. Half of the world _ an entire second city _ is missing," said spokeswoman Holly Rockwood in a statement.

Not sure what to make of it but I haven't heard anything else like this yet so there you go.

Thanks, this is what I've been trying to get across. I'm positive the torrent version has problems, both in the crack and the version. The replacement (the crack) for the TS3 file is, in my opinion, dodgy. I could be wrong but only time will tell. We'll all know for sure in a week or two.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Gelina on 2009 May 22, 15:31:24
I found the AP story. link (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i2Ts-zyPtq_1NOZV49oeN7ZvY4RgD98BBEMG0)
The article keeps referencing June 3rd as the release date - isn't it June 2nd in the US?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Jelenedra on 2009 May 22, 15:38:04
Video game stores are notorious for that, release date is X, but the stores don't release until the day after because they don't get their copies in until after 5 pm on X. Sometimes. Happens a lot to the Gamestops here. Either they get it a week early, or it is a day late.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Kyna on 2009 May 22, 15:51:15
I am going to post this here since I am not sure where it should go.  I was on my isp homepage this morning and thy run scrolling news stories.  In the entertainment section they had a story about Sims 3 and there was an acknowledgment from EA about the piracy and they had this to say-

"EA said the pirated version "is a buggy, pre-final" version of the game.

"It's not the full game. Half of the world _ an entire second city _ is missing," said spokeswoman Holly Rockwood in a statement.

Not sure what to make of it but I haven't heard anything else like this yet so there you go.

Thanks, this is what I've been trying to get across. I'm positive the torrent version has problems, both in the crack and the version. The replacement (the crack) for the TS3 file is, in my opinion, dodgy. I could be wrong but only time will tell. We'll all know for sure in a week or two.


See other comments about the second city.  It was never going to ship with the game, and at this late stage it is too late for EA games to recall all the games (which are probably sitting in the back rooms and warehouses of computer stores) to add it to the game as it is shipped.

I think we'd all like to believe that this leaked version wasn't the real one, based on what we've heard about it so far - the bugs, the problems, the flaws, the removal of some of the best aspects of game play, etc.  Unfortunately claims that it's not the "real" game are based more on wishful thinking than on the available evidence.

The bugginess isn't an argument in support of your point of view.  The base game for TS2 WAS this buggy - just ask Pescado, who was the first to find and fix many of those base game bugs.  Some of the EPs were even buggier and should never have been released in the state they were when released.  Over the last few EPs in particular, EA's playtesting & quality control seemed to consist of: "let's release the game/EP, and we'll find about the bugs when the paying customers find them and tell us."

As for RELOADED doing a dodgy crack: you probably aren't aware of the fact that RELOADED have a good reputation in the pirating scene, and I doubt they'd tarnish that reputation by deliberately creating a dodgy crack.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jriggs on 2009 May 22, 16:12:14
Kyna- The post you have quoted isn't the opinion of someone who wishes it were a beta version.  It is a quote from an EA spokesperson claiming that the game will ship with a second city and that the leaked game is a beta version.  I haven't claimed any proof that the bugginess proves it is not a final version.  EA is now making statements that this version is beta and that the final version has a second city that is not in the game that has been leaked.  This was not found in a forum somewhere but was a story that is being circulated as an Associated Press News release. 

Until the game ships all we have is our speculation and statements from EA and while I have read everything that is being said here and elsewhere about the game so far this is the first real statement about the leaked version of the game form them.  It is the only thing so far that is official and not speculation so far.  Whether or not it proves to be accurate or not we won't know until the game ships but your statement seems to put this into the category of more community speculation which this doesn't appear to be.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Sigmund on 2009 May 22, 16:23:10
Kyna- The post you have quoted isn't the opinion of someone who wishes it were a beta version.  It is a quote from an EA spokesperson claiming that the game will ship with a second city and that the leaked game is a beta version.  I haven't claimed any proof that the bugginess proves it is not a final version.  EA is now making statements that this version is beta and that the final version has a second city that is not in the game that has been leaked.  This was not found in a forum somewhere but was a story that is being circulated as an Associated Press News release.  

Yes, but I think Kyna was pointing there is a problem with the info in this article. EA has repeatedly stated that this second city would be available for download, and never claimed it would ship with the game. Indeed, it is entirely possible they changed their minds about it months ago and never announced it, but it is an odd inconsistency. Why wouldn't they announce it to their potential buyers? I think it's this disparity that casts some doubt on the claim.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 May 22, 16:25:00
So this is an official statement from the same EA whose spokespersons suggested that TS3 would not have Securom?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Papercut on 2009 May 22, 17:28:26
Well, I've had it installed for a few hours and have had several random crashes. Granted, my rig isn't fantastic (GeForce 8600, hobo ram), but I know it well - all signs are pointing to a software issue rather than a hardware one - no locking / lagging / glitchtastic behaviour ... it's like the game simply decides to shut down periodically and dump me onto the desktop. Interestingly, it seems to happen when attempting something for the first time. The first time I switched to map view the game crapped out on me, the next time it was fine. The first time I called a sim, the same thing happened, the second time it was fine, etc. 

Given this new EA announcement propaganda, I'll be interested to see if the mystery crashes are rectified in the June release. I highly doubt it though.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Dizzymental on 2009 May 22, 17:35:10
I am going to post this here since I am not sure where it should go.  I was on my isp homepage this morning and thy run scrolling news stories.  In the entertainment section they had a story about Sims 3 and there was an acknowledgment from EA about the piracy and they had this to say-

"EA said the pirated version "is a buggy, pre-final" version of the game.

"It's not the full game. Half of the world _ an entire second city _ is missing," said spokeswoman Holly Rockwood in a statement.

Not sure what to make of it but I haven't heard anything else like this yet so there you go.

Thanks, this is what I've been trying to get across. I'm positive the torrent version has problems, both in the crack and the version. The replacement (the crack) for the TS3 file is, in my opinion, dodgy. I could be wrong but only time will tell. We'll all know for sure in a week or two.


See other comments about the second city.  It was never going to ship with the game, and at this late stage it is too late for EA games to recall all the games (which are probably sitting in the back rooms and warehouses of computer stores) to add it to the game as it is shipped.

I think we'd all like to believe that this leaked version wasn't the real one, based on what we've heard about it so far - the bugs, the problems, the flaws, the removal of some of the best aspects of game play, etc.  Unfortunately claims that it's not the "real" game are based more on wishful thinking than on the available evidence.

The bugginess isn't an argument in support of your point of view.  The base game for TS2 WAS this buggy - just ask Pescado, who was the first to find and fix many of those base game bugs.  Some of the EPs were even buggier and should never have been released in the state they were when released.  Over the last few EPs in particular, EA's playtesting & quality control seemed to consist of: "let's release the game/EP, and we'll find about the bugs when the paying customers find them and tell us."

As for RELOADED doing a dodgy crack: you probably aren't aware of the fact that RELOADED have a good reputation in the pirating scene, and I doubt they'd tarnish that reputation by deliberately creating a dodgy crack.


It was RELOADED who released the crack for TS2 that disabled or prevented build mode from working. I remember it well. So you are absolutely wrong. I'll give you another example: Godfather PC. The original crack released caused a bug in the game which meant that the player could not get out of the doors in cars or enter cars (can't remember which now). Anyway, the bug was fixed when somebody released a decent crack for the game.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Soggy Fox on 2009 May 22, 17:52:31
I've never had a problem with RELOADED or ViTaility cracks for my sims 2 stuff - I'm not sure how many reloaded to vitality I've had, I think its mostly been the latter, but both have a good rep to my knowledge.

And everyone can make a mistake, that doesn't mean dodgy, it means an error was made - dogy means came with viruses and the like - big difference.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Dizzymental on 2009 May 22, 18:03:22
I've never had a problem with RELOADED or ViTaility cracks for my sims 2 stuff - I'm not sure how many reloaded to vitality I've had, I think its mostly been the latter, but both have a good rep to my knowledge.

And everyone can make a mistake, that doesn't mean dodgy, it means an error was made - dogy means came with viruses and the like - big difference.

Just one example:
Area 51 No-DVD Crack By Reloaded Doesn't Work ... http://fileforums.com/showthread.php?t=82607

And anyone remember this? ... http://www.cdrom-guide.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274994

So you see, people who are quick to jump on me and tell me I'm wrong don't know what they are talking about.

I rest my case.



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Dizzymental on 2009 May 22, 18:16:35
Fuck you. You don't quote my evidence I notice. Can't take it to be wrong. Up yours. You think I give a shit about defending a fucking pirate called Rewanked or whatever. I got better things to worry about. Take your head out of your mother's ass.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Lorelei on 2009 May 22, 21:28:11
you're trying to claim Reloaded is shit and doing it on purpose.

Of course, there are also at least two dozen MATYzens who are using RELOADED right now, successfully.

Anyone with a working game who did NOT use RELOADED? Raise your hand.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 22, 21:52:33
Reloaded release installed, keygen'd, cracked exe performing as expected.

Would be interested in seeing dxdiags from people who are having crash-to-desktop, but that would probably take us outside the intended usage of this forum.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Gelina on 2009 May 22, 21:58:54
Would be interested in seeing dxdiags from people who are having crash-to-desktop, but that would probably take us outside the intended usage of this forum.

I have some of those, where do I look to find them?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Alexia on 2009 May 22, 22:01:45
I've been playing the reloaded release 6 hours straight today, following at least 4 hours yesterday. No problems what so ever. It even installed quicker than any other sims game I've legally purchased.
So, I for one do not buy all of this "wonky" crack.exe malarky. Sounds to me like some of you troopers may have got corrupt torrents or downloads. All I can say if in doubt, download again.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 22, 22:21:27
Quote
I have some of those, where do I look to find them?

Dxdiag is the diagnostic mode of directx, you basically just do start/run and type in 'dxdiag', hit enter. Then click the Save all information button, it writes it into a text file. What I'd be interested in is the first few chunks (system information and display info).

However, and I cannot stress this enough, I'm basically a noob lurker and I don't want to piss off the mods by having this thread fill up with people's pasted dxdiag info. :)

Basically I'm just wondering if out-of-date drivers or some other hardware trend may be the cause.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 22, 22:25:06
I'm using a reloaded copy. My crack is just fine, keygen had no problem. I do think that my torrent had a little issue at some point however because I had problems transferring the neighborhood file. That could do with our connection let's been giving us trouble, or the fact that I had the torrent download to a usb hard drive of mine that had previously proven to be a little diva, very touchy. The only issue that has shown is trying to build on one lot in particular. Others appear to be fine. The only crash to desktop issues I had was on that one lot and this one time when I zoomed back and forth between two sims who were on opposite ends of the hood. Apparently something didn't like that. I believe that my drivers are the second from most recent release. The newest drivers gives me issues in Sims2, Fallout 3 & Spore. This game is not worth me fucking with the first two.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Gelina on 2009 May 22, 22:27:43
Here's mine.  I don't think I've updated my drivers since my last crash.

Quote
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/22/2009, 17:18:00
       Machine name: xxx
   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
       System Model: P35-DS3L
               BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E6850  @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
             Memory: 3582MB RAM
          Page File: 2979MB used, 4422MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: ATI Radeon HD 3800 Series
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x9501)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9501&SUBSYS_21981458&REV_00
   Display Memory: 2042 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 507 MB
    Shared Memory: 1534 MB
     Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
          Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
      Driver Name: atidxx32.dll,atidxx64,atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.cap,atiumd64,atiumd6a,atitmm64
   Driver Version: 8.15.0010.0183 (English)
      DDI Version: 10.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 2/25/2009 16:24:13, 2396160 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D641-11CF-6F75-9201A1C2C535}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x9501
        SubSys ID: 0x21981458
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
 Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                   {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                   {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 22, 22:37:25
I think there are slightly newer ATI drivers but it's probably not going to make the difference.

Morriganrant, are you on XP or Vista? And ATI or NVIDIA? (I'm going to guess NVIDIA, because I've heard of other problems with their latest WHQLs?)

I'm on XP with an NVIDIA series 8 (8800 GTX OC), no crash to desktop yet but I haven't been playing that long.

(By the way, I'm not being an EAxis apologist or anything, I'm just a semi-retarded game tech support person in real life and I'm used to these kinds of problems often being on the user's end. But Gelina's dxdiag basically looked fine so my theory of people using older cards/ancient drivers is kind of shot anyway.)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jriggs on 2009 May 22, 22:49:56
I am no tech expert but I recently installed a game and it crashed everytime I tried to run it and after checking some help forums I found that since I was running a dual core processor I needed to get a dual core optimizer to get it to run.  I googled it and found what they were talking about and it worked.  I just noticed that Galina's processor is Dual core.  What about the others that are having this problem?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 22, 23:36:44
I think there are slightly newer ATI drivers but it's probably not going to make the difference.

Morriganrant, are you on XP or Vista? And ATI or NVIDIA? (I'm going to guess NVIDIA, because I've heard of other problems with their latest WHQLs?)

I'm on XP with an NVIDIA series 8 (8800 GTX OC), no crash to desktop yet but I haven't been playing that long.

(By the way, I'm not being an EAxis apologist or anything, I'm just a semi-retarded game tech support person in real life and I'm used to these kinds of problems often being on the user's end. But Gelina's dxdiag basically looked fine so my theory of people using older cards/ancient drivers is kind of shot anyway.)

I am running Xp, with 3gb of ram and an ATI HD 3870 card. Driver version 8.512.0.0. I can Pm you my Dxdiag if you would like. I didn't want to clutter up the thread.

Edit: Interestingly enough. I have a Duel Core, but I had crashing with the Sims2 when I would set it to only one core. Little problem with both.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: DaSpecialone on 2009 May 22, 23:45:11
Reloaded release installed, keygen'd, cracked exe performing as expected.


Ditto, less then 3 min after downloading it.   I've read a few comments about people trying to go for the non-reloaded version and choosing a borked one because of it though.


That game btw, is running smoothly and I'm playing, surfing the net, and reading threads...so I'd say issues are probably computer related. TS2 is still installed and switching between them isn't an issue, either.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: brownlustgirl on 2009 May 22, 23:56:54
@ jriggs, in windows theres a process of making the game run on one processor instead of both. Tried finding the thread at INsim, but having a hard time. Once I ran the optimizer and changed the processor to one, Sims 2 ran perfect.

Got my game from Reloaded and followed the instructions, was up and running in a little bit. No crashes, problems installing, applying the no-cd crack. I have a slim form tower and only have Nvidia G-force 8600.  I am upgrading to the 9800GT because it's the most powerful I can afford for my slim form factor CPU.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jriggs on 2009 May 23, 00:04:18
I am not running the Sims 3 (I will wait and see if it is even worth installing.)  I am also running an 8600 gt and never had a problem running Sims 2 but couldn't run Viva Pinata (my sons favorite) without using the Dual Core Optimizer.  Simply a crash upon loading.  After running the optimizer, no problem.  It is the only game I have had an issue with and from their forums I have found that it was an issue with that game.  I only bring it up now in case it helps someone else in this situation.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 23, 01:45:06
So two people with ATI 38XX series cards having crashing to desktop? Any NVIDIA takers? (Yes, I'm jumping to massive conclusions here, but still interested.) I've done about four hours on XP/NVIDIA with nothing untoward happening. Except my Sims are all pretty fug, but apparently there's no technical fix for that.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SciBirg on 2009 May 23, 01:58:52
So very glad I insisted on Nvidia when I got my laptop, as well as 4GB of RAM.

<---- Retired help desk analyst


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 23, 03:10:53
Ergh. That thing where it warns you to restart after making certain gfx setting changes? Looks like ignoring that is a bad idea. Sigh.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SimKat on 2009 May 23, 03:12:50
Yeah was also having random crashes for no apparent reason.Updated my card drivers seem too fix this.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JennyJenny on 2009 May 23, 03:57:01
I've got an nVidia card, and crashes galore. Although, my card isn't specifically listed as recommended. I haven't updated my drivers though. I'll try that when I feel like playing TS13 again.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: witch on 2009 May 23, 05:15:45
I downloaded the first RELOADED torrent. No problems installing, registering or playing. Have played for two sessions of not less than four hours each.

No problems with my dual core, haven't needed to force single core. 2GB RAM and ATI HD4870 video card.

The machine certainly works reasonably hard when playing the game though.

*witch crosses fingers against hubris punishment


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 23, 05:44:57
Well, another glitch in getting a torrent to install. I downloaded one from Seedgames and it finally finished about an hour ago. Guess what? Everytime I try to open or extract it I get an error message saying the files are in an unknown format or they are corrupted. Geeze. It is no longer about playing this game.  I just want to learn how to do this now, the Sims has become unimportant. Gosh, is my pit bull mentality showing?  My WinRAR is an evaluation copy that I have been using for about three years. Do I need to update it, or is this download truly corrupted?

I got another folder that has the crack and it's fine. But something must have happened to this download, I guess.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Papercut on 2009 May 23, 06:24:25
So two people with ATI 38XX series cards having crashing to desktop? Any NVIDIA takers?

Yeah, 8600 GT here, with periodic crashes to desktop. Shiny drivers fixed some graphical weirdness, but I've still had one crash since updating.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: blackcat on 2009 May 23, 09:05:01
I have Nvidia 8600 GT Gygabyte and no problems so far.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: rsdworker on 2009 May 23, 10:35:32
hiii - i downloaded reloaded and i was confused at step to step - its said Unrar - means all files? then burned to cd but not yet installed


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Giggy on 2009 May 23, 10:38:57
hiii - i downloaded reloaded and i was confused at step to step - its said Unrar - means all files? then burned to cd but not yet installed
DON'T YOU FUCKING SHEEPLE READ! BE LESS STUPID. READ THE GODDAMN FUCKING THREAD!

oops, caps lock.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Marhis on 2009 May 23, 10:46:39
(http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/crapola/capslock.jpg)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: rsdworker on 2009 May 23, 10:55:40
hiii - i downloaded reloaded and i was confused at step to step - its said Unrar - means all files? then burned to cd but not yet installed
DON'T YOU FUCKING SHEEPLE READ! BE LESS STUPID. READ THE GODDAMN FUCKING THREAD!

oops, caps lock.

i did read carefully in this thread before i did post


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LurkieMoar on 2009 May 23, 12:08:07
hiii - i downloaded reloaded and i was confused at step to step - its said Unrar - means all files? then burned to cd but not yet installed

Open rld-sim3.rar with Winrar and it will open the whole set of rar files to let you extract the iso.



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: rsdworker on 2009 May 23, 12:10:41
hiii - i downloaded reloaded and i was confused at step to step - its said Unrar - means all files? then burned to cd but not yet installed

Open rld-sim3.rar with Winrar and it will open the whole set of rar files to let you extract the iso.



yes - there many files that having same names in folder


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LurkieMoar on 2009 May 23, 12:13:55
hiii - i downloaded reloaded and i was confused at step to step - its said Unrar - means all files? then burned to cd but not yet installed

Open rld-sim3.rar with Winrar and it will open the whole set of rar files to let you extract the iso.



yes - there many files that having same names in folder

I think you'll find that the names are rld-sim3.rar, rld-sim3.r00, rld-sim3.r01 etc.  Have you got the default windows settings for your folders?  Try going to tools, folder options, View.  Un-tick "hide file extensions".  Then you'll be able to see that they are not all named identically.



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: rsdworker on 2009 May 23, 12:55:07
hiii - i downloaded reloaded and i was confused at step to step - its said Unrar - means all files? then burned to cd but not yet installed

Open rld-sim3.rar with Winrar and it will open the whole set of rar files to let you extract the iso.



yes - there many files that having same names in folder

I think you'll find that the names are rld-sim3.rar, rld-sim3.r00, rld-sim3.r01 etc.  Have you got the default windows settings for your folders?  Try going to tools, folder options, View.  Un-tick "hide file extensions".  Then you'll be able to see that they are not all named identically.



yep its showing up as numbers means i can unpack easier


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 May 23, 14:24:09
No worries installing, or loading.  First impression was very short, but I have realized that what I really need now is an entirely new rig.  P4 with older video card is not happy with high screen resolution.  The sims look like they're wading through molasses on a very windy day, and their feet move over the ground like Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk.  Very annoying.  Lowering screen resolution solves this, but things go a bit more fuzzy, rather than nicely sharp.  This is with a system that exceeds the posted system requirements.  Meh, I wanted to build a new rig anyway.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: alli on 2009 May 23, 15:34:00
I realize this is probably the stupidest question ever, but: after you mount the image, isn't something supposed to happen?

Have the .iso mounted with Daemon... and I have no idea what to do next. I'm going to reread the thread, but it feels like something (hell, anything) should be asking to happen. Why no autorun?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: blackcat on 2009 May 23, 15:48:26
It now acts as a normal cd-rom. Look in My computer. If there is no autorun, then enter cd and run setup.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SciBirg on 2009 May 23, 15:51:02
@alli, go to Windows explorer and explore the new "drive" that has the mounted image. Please note that it has a crack folder with a keygen and an .exe file.

Install the game using the keygen, then replace the generated .exe file with the one in the crack folder.
Start the game by clicking on the cracked .exe file NOT the generated shortcut. Make a new shortcut pointing to the cracked .exe file instead.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: alli on 2009 May 23, 16:00:29
@alli, go to Windows explorer and explore the new "drive" that has the mounted image. Please note that it has a crack folder with a keygen and an .exe file.

Install the game using the keygen, then replace the generated .exe file with the one in the crack folder.
Start the game by clicking on the cracked .exe file NOT the generated shortcut. Make a new shortcut pointing to the cracked .exe file instead.

Thanks. I'll try that in a minute. I decided to unRAR it again thinking it maybe got corrupted or something while unpacking itself. And now 7zip is taking its dear sweet time.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kewian on 2009 May 23, 16:32:01
hiii - i downloaded reloaded and i was confused at step to step - its said Unrar - means all files? then burned to cd but not yet installed

The easiest way to install it is to use power iso. Daemon just would not work with the file for me. It would mount it but there was no image shown or accessiblity to the info.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: alli on 2009 May 23, 17:09:10
Huzzah! Thanks for the help!


ETA: Actually. Fail. I remain the world's dumbest person. I copied the crack.exe wrong (apparently). The file I copied doesn't work/replace the real .exe. And b/c I thought I'd finally gotten it right, I deleted the torrent, iso, etc.

Is there another way to get the crack.exe WITHOUT re-d/l the who friggin thing again? Every crack I've found makes Avast go crazy. Damnit!


Edit part 2: Found a virus free crack (finally)... but turns out my video card doesn't support "shader model 2". So all this was just a big fucking waste of time.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: rsdworker on 2009 May 23, 17:22:27
Finaly - i got all understand - its now installed - now i need is test it  :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Tacuitacitum on 2009 May 23, 19:03:09
Sims 3 is making my graphics card suffer something horrific. I've been monitoring temps since a spontaneous reboot;

I also have a HD38xx (3850, to be exact) and while neighborhood and live views run about 60-80% load on my graphics card, and ~70 degrees, menus and CAS run at 99% load and put my card into the 85+ before I shut the thing down myself before my card can explode.

I've turned all the options to minimum (which looks eyebleachingly horrible) and I've just upgraded the ATI drivers from 9.2 to 9.5 with no difference. (latest DirectX, 3GB RAM and a Quad Core CPU, if that's any effect on things)


This is silly. I'd expect it in neighborhood view where there's actually a substantial amount of things to render. CAS consists of one sim and reflection, and the menus aren't even 3D!

What comes to mind is that the menus and CAS menus are super anti aliased or otherwise filtered in order to make them look so super smooth and slick... which is murdering my card!

Neither my Playstation2 emulator and Assassins Creed manage that, and they're super intensive - the later surely must need more power than Sims 2. I can only reach the conclusion that Sims 2 coding is made of inefficient fail.
That, or it's all OpenGL, which ATI has a reputation for neglecting. Such a reputation that you should have thought of that, EA.

edit: menu's aren't even 2D? Muppet. Corrected now.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 23, 19:41:18
Damn, TS3 must really hate ATI's 3800 series. But I did however do alittle bit of research, the Nvidia GeForce 9600GT and the highest in the 38xx series(3870) are both comparable. ATI beat it in almost all cases, except where anti aliasing comes into play. Which absolutely made the highest card tank, while Nvidia still poofed up some pretty good numbers. This leads me to the conclusion that ATI just skipped out on optimizing for AA on these cards. Also, the OpenGL thing could be an issue...Maybe try turning down the smoothness all the way. Those temps are no good for a compy, and could completely fry your video card :).


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: DaBuschckah on 2009 May 23, 20:21:51
Not sure if you're still looking for people with NVIDIA cards having problems, but...

I have a NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT card, and the game kept crashing. So I got the newest driver and the game continues to crash (the moment I get into the neighborhood view).


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Khaleesi on 2009 May 23, 20:23:31
Alright so I got the rar'd iso, and mounted the iso, but in the /Crack folder there's no keygen. Just rld-sims3.exe and Sims3.exe. Do I need to download a separate keygen or is one of those one of them? I honestly have no clue what I'm doing, sorry.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Caz on 2009 May 23, 20:31:02
rld-sims3 IS the keygen


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Khaleesi on 2009 May 23, 20:42:42
Thank you. Like I said, I've never so much as looked at an iso before, so I appreciate your help.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 23, 20:50:11
I was thinking of upgrading my video card, but now I don't think I will after reading all of these ATI video card issues. I have an ATI x800 with no issues. And it runs the game great on all highest settings.

Older cards FTW!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: araneldon on 2009 May 23, 21:35:47
I was thinking of upgrading my video card, but now I don't think I will after reading all of these ATI video card issues. I have an ATI x800 with no issues. And it runs the game great on all highest settings.

Older cards FTW!

Good for you, I got a grand spanking new 4770 which runs Oblivion beautifully, but TS3 plays like crap. >:(
If antialiasing is enabled all transparencies (hair, trees, etc) get fux0red. And the constant shifting of detail
levels, I just hate that. And textures look worse than in TS2, although I may be imagining that.

Ah well, no matter. What with the apparent restrictions on 3rd party content, there's hardly any reason to
switch from TS2 for now.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Chain_Reaction on 2009 May 23, 22:07:52
Well my game was fine till I tried to build a house. I built the outside and got paranoid about crashing (perhaps that was a bad idea...) and exited to the edit town mode to save (which is a silly way to design it). It saved fine and then I went back in and did another hours worth of work, exited to edit town and hit save. All was fine for about 5 seconds when the game just folded on it's self and threw me back to desktop. I checked my save and it's only 5MB which basically means if it didn't create it's own backup file, my entire town would be gone right now.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: BeautyWitch on 2009 May 23, 22:14:29
Could someone please help me? I know nothing about computers and I'm not sure what info you will need to advise me so I'll post everything.

I need to know if my computer is good enough to run this game at the best settings. And if not, what will I need to upgrade.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w319/htsmama/1.jpg (http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w319/htsmama/1.jpg)
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w319/htsmama/2.jpg (http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w319/htsmama/2.jpg)
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w319/htsmama/3.jpg (http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w319/htsmama/3.jpg)
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w319/htsmama/4-1.jpg (http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w319/htsmama/4-1.jpg)

Other info: It's a year and couple months old and running on Vista. I have no problem playing Sims 2 with all EPs, SPs and 2.33 GB of downloads on all high settings. Well, except for the 10 minutes loading time to fire up the game. Other than that; no lagging and community lots load in 30 secs or less.

Another question: Would I need to uninstall all the Sims 2 games to get it running smoothly? TIA


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 23, 22:16:26
It looks fine to me. You don't need to uninstall TS2; you have plenty of free space.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: DaBuschckah on 2009 May 23, 22:16:59

Good for you, I got a grand spanking new 4770 which runs Oblivion beautifully, but TS3 plays like crap.


Yeah, it sucks. I got a super-awesome computer because I do tons of digital art and animation, and its always been able to run games fine as well. But this game refuses to work past loading...


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Viviane on 2009 May 23, 23:31:53
I played 5 hours straight without any crash or freeze. Only problem was my 8800GT 512Mo going from 42°C (idle) to 78/80° (loading + CAS). The temp drop to 65°C after increasing fan speed significantly. I am considering to cancel my preorder I don't want to play near 4 fans at max speed (too noisy) nor risk my card.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TapThatBooty on 2009 May 23, 23:44:22
I can get the game up and running, but after a few minutes of playing, either in family mode(live/buy/build mode) or CAS, the game closes itself. It doesn't give me an error message, just closes. My drivers have been updated, so I'm a bit confused.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: BeautyWitch on 2009 May 24, 00:49:30
It looks fine to me. You don't need to uninstall TS2; you have plenty of free space.
Ok, thanks. Now I need to do a lot of reading before I attempt to Arr anything. I'm just not that awesome I'm afraid.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Miellerie on 2009 May 24, 00:53:22
My game just closes itself after a while as well but usually after 20-30 mins, though it was over an hour once. It runs fine otherwise on highest settings and 1680x1050 fullscreen. I have to remember to save each day which I'm not used to  :-[

I have updated my graphics drivers, but every time the game starts I still get a popup reminder to update my graphics drivers. If it helps this is what I'm running:

Vista 32bit
2GB RAM
ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 256MB
Intel E2140 1.6GHz.. I've been meaning to overclock it for years  ;D

I might try reinstalling the game later on today to see if that helps.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: BeautyWitch on 2009 May 24, 02:32:12
Has anyone used MagicISO Tool before? http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso-magicdisc-overview.htm

Can this one be used instead of Daemon? This site (http://www.petri.co.il/mount_iso_files_in_windows_vista.htm) claims that Daemon has spy-ware and I would rather not take any chances.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: malianx on 2009 May 24, 02:38:46
I used magicISO on my windows 7 install, worked fine.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 May 24, 02:51:42
I was thinking of upgrading my video card, but now I don't think I will after reading all of these ATI video card issues. I have an ATI x800 with no issues. And it runs the game great on all highest settings.

Older cards FTW!

I either need to upgrade my old video card (X300) or build a new rig.  P4 (3Ghz) with X300 card and 2GB of RAM is causing lag.  I have to reduce screen res and lower settings just to play at any decent speed.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: BeautyWitch on 2009 May 24, 04:05:34
After 50 mins I was up to %56 with 129 people trying to connect and my service shut down. Now I'm freaked out and too scared to try again :-[. I'm such a noob. Any tips on helping me how to be more awesome?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Tacuitacitum on 2009 May 24, 08:28:14
Just a heads up, I've had problems with X1950s overheating before (and erm... melting. Ahahaha. My 3850 is actually its warranty replacement since the store wasn't selling the X1950 some time later.)

People with ATI and their catalyst control centre, or RivaTuner or anything else that can monitor temps, I'd recommend doing so, especially if you have any of the cards that other people are having problems with or random crashes (In CCC, it's in the overdrive tab. Not all cards support it and my X1950 didn't, or I'd have spotted the problem long before it died.)

Hell no am I buying a new card to play Sims 3. My card should be sufficient and I'm not upgrading something that cost me £80 to play one game when all my other high spec games and even my 3D animation packages run just dandy on it. If I'd actually bought the game, I'd be demanding my money back because running my graphics card into the ground is probably damaging it. (That said, when I next update I'm not touching ATI with a barge pole unless they've fixed their OpenGL issues, even their professional animating rig cards have issues at the moment, and for £400+ that's just not acceptable.)

Miellerie, check that your drivers have installed correctly and are showing as 9.5 - a bad uninstall of the previous drivers can cause problems with new ones.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Ryslin on 2009 May 24, 10:23:05
ATI's 38xx series had some bugs on the core chip.
We also run into the fact that the game company is told "oh yeah it can handle it" then crash crash crash ..because the actual code used did not match the directx / nor the driver code.

Torrents can and are corrupted ..all it takes is grabbing the hash (ie the torrent) changing the file it is reading and uploading. It isn't terribly difficult.. and at this point I imagine there are some folks trying to get this release off the network.

Demon works just fine "IF" you use an older version and upgrade SPDT (file from microsoft or use google)

NOTE there are many programs out there that will interfere with most iso/cd image loading software just on principle. Ever played a DVD in your drive?
The custom little applet it installs to watch will do as much damage as securom.

Overly aggressive antispyware/antivirus/firewall will crash your game. If the game pings the internet port randomly for any reason, your firewall hopefully blocks it. If it does this by warning you it is blocking it ..said pop up can lock the game if there isn't enough memory to task switch. (has to go back to desktop to allow you to acknowledge the attempt at internet)


So in closing .. my rant is about the fact that this is probably not the game that is crashing.
I have left it playing now for 2 days.
Xp64
ATI -4850 512ram
4 gig system ram
4 core AMD processor (phenom 2 2.8)
plenty of hdrive space

Installed with dtoolslite 4.30.1 sptd 1.56



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: brownlustgirl on 2009 May 24, 11:49:45
After 50 mins I was up to %56 with 129 people trying to connect and my service shut down. Now I'm freaked out and too scared to try again :-[. I'm such a noob. Any tips on helping me how to be more awesome?

What are you scared of? The file is on the computer, when you start your internet up again, the medium you are using to dl the torrent will start back up at your last point. Shoot 56% in under a hour is a WIN! Took me 6 hours.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Ryslin on 2009 May 24, 12:35:19
After 50 mins I was up to %56 with 129 people trying to connect and my service shut down. Now I'm freaked out and too scared to try again :-[. I'm such a noob. Any tips on helping me how to be more awesome?

If you are using the program defaults (utorrent so on)you are likely pushing your internet connection to the max. There are settings to change upload/download speeds.
Standard dsl/cable 500 down , 12 up is perfectly fine. If you still crash out try reducing the amount of connections (also a setting). I think it defaults to 80, dropping to 50 might help.



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: rsdworker on 2009 May 24, 14:11:48
Hey there again - i don't know why the game keeps calling home - i unconnected the internet and the popup always pops up through my play so how i can get rid it? - i followed the steps.  ???


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Tazon on 2009 May 24, 14:26:16
After 50 mins I was up to %56 with 129 people trying to connect and my service shut down. Now I'm freaked out and too scared to try again :-[. I'm such a noob. Any tips on helping me how to be more awesome?

Does your connection run through a router? Sometimes that much traffic will make it quit after a while; you just need to reboot the router to get going again.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Miellerie on 2009 May 24, 14:38:52
Just a heads up, I've had problems with X1950s overheating before (and erm... melting. Ahahaha. My 3850 is actually its warranty replacement since the store wasn't selling the X1950 some time later.)

People with ATI and their catalyst control centre, or RivaTuner or anything else that can monitor temps, I'd recommend doing so, especially if you have any of the cards that other people are having problems with or random crashes (In CCC, it's in the overdrive tab. Not all cards support it and my X1950 didn't, or I'd have spotted the problem long before it died.)

Hell no am I buying a new card to play Sims 3. My card should be sufficient and I'm not upgrading something that cost me £80 to play one game when all my other high spec games and even my 3D animation packages run just dandy on it. If I'd actually bought the game, I'd be demanding my money back because running my graphics card into the ground is probably damaging it. (That said, when I next update I'm not touching ATI with a barge pole unless they've fixed their OpenGL issues, even their professional animating rig cards have issues at the moment, and for £400+ that's just not acceptable.)

Miellerie, check that your drivers have installed correctly and are showing as 9.5 - a bad uninstall of the previous drivers can cause problems with new ones.

Thanks for that! By monitoring temperature, do you mean just go into the CCC and checking the temperature right after a crash?

I reinstalled the game and the display driver today and the message about updating didn't pop up :) And I managed to get 4+ hours of play before it froze on a splitting family processing scene (sister marries other guy and moves out). I am thinking of getting a new card and cpu because my computer's quite old now and hopefully I'll have no more problems after that  :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: BeautyWitch on 2009 May 24, 15:09:26
After 50 mins I was up to %56 with 129 people trying to connect and my service shut down. Now I'm freaked out and too scared to try again :-[. I'm such a noob. Any tips on helping me how to be more awesome?

Does your connection run through a router? Sometimes that much traffic will make it quit after a while; you just need to reboot the router to get going again.
Yes it does. I finally "woman- up" and got it done. lol.

OK so do I open all the files or just the ones that say WinRAR Archive; there are 31 named "rld-sims3?  There are files with R40, R31 and so on; what do I do with those.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Tingeling on 2009 May 24, 15:32:25
I am trying to install the downloaded game from seedgames.org but I seem to have enountered a problem. I have mounted the ISO-file as one usually does, but instead of starting the install a window pops up telling me that there are files missing and that some of them may be copyrighted. After scouring this thread I also saw that some of the downloaded iso's had a file which you had to open through winrar. Well, I tried to open them but it was a no go. So, if anyone who has downloaded the seedgames.org version of the game could give me a helping hand I would much appreciate it.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: iHateyou on 2009 May 24, 15:32:42
Just a thanks...  This is my first time ever using a torrent, and I managed to do it despite being sure I was way too stupid to figure it out. I had to read about six million posts here before I could manage it so I really appreciate all the posts with questions and the great answers they received because it kept me from having to whine about it when I had problems.

Anyway BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Elruwen on 2009 May 24, 16:20:04
Thank god for the backup files in the Saves folder! My saved game disappeared but I was able to restore it using the backup. :o


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Ryslin on 2009 May 24, 16:55:01
winrar is your solution to opening those r01-r32 files. If you open any of them ..it will open the whole thing. Or you can right click the files and extract to Here .. and it will take what is in it out.

You will then have a thesims3.iso
IF you use winrar to open that file (which it CAN do) it will whine and complain about copywrite.
Thus.. use demontools or other tools mentioned to "mount" the ISO into a nice handy virtual cdrom. Or even burn the iso with your favorite burning software. (I haven't looked at the size of the iso it might not be easily burnable)

If for some reason you have turned off auto load for cd/dvd's  then you will have to go manually to explorer and find the new drive added virtually/ open your dvd/cdrom yourself and install from there.

Winrar may whine at you if you do not have a registered copy. Just click it to be quiet on that pop up and it will go about it's normal business of being awesome.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Tingeling on 2009 May 24, 17:20:53
Thanks for the help Ryslin. Although my issue is a bit different. I have been arring for along time so I know the procedure of mounting iso's and so on. The problem is that when I mount the iso the game setup installation doesn't start for some reason. It complains and a popup says: "Invalid directory entry has been encountered. Some content may be lost or inaccessible." It apparently is Roxio DLA Drive that is complaining. I've done the googlefu dance and it appears to be a problem with the dvd burner... Securom perhaps? But is it possible to contract securom without even having started the install process? I r confuse... especially since it is Damemon Tools that mounts the image. That was why I was wondering if someone who downloaded the same iso had issues and thus it would be a corrupt download which could easily be remedied.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installin
Post by: BeautyWitch on 2009 May 24, 17:32:21

I have no idea how I did it, but I've finally managed to install. Now a new problem; a message pops up saying the game needs to connect to the internet to verify my copy. How do I bypass this?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 24, 17:37:42
When you mounted the game did you take the exe and launcher from the crack folder? If not then you will need to and then place them in (computer/(HardDriveName usually c)/Program Files/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/installdir\Game\Bin)
^ Think thats right, if not. Then keep close to the directions and find the similar folders. Rename the old launcher and exe, or delete it. then paste the two new ones in. DO NOT start the game with the launcher do it with the exe but not the launcher.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: BeautyWitch on 2009 May 24, 17:59:32

There is no exe file in the crack folder. Only the launcher and the app to generate the key. There is however, a TS3.exe file in the 'bin' folder. Is this the one you were referring to?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Exiled on 2009 May 24, 19:56:04
So I've been torrenting more, and getting more crashes.  Each crash takes about 2-4 minutes after it freezes up before giving me the BSOD (hence why I didn't get them before, when trying to get TS3 Reloaded, since I always just manually reset) and about 5 minutes to create a dump file before restarting.

My computer only crashes when I try to get massive torrents (5.6GB, 4 GB, 9 GB).  For the last one, I tried to avoid the crash by by torrenting one TS2 stuff pack at a time, but it crashed was I was torrenting my third stuff pack (Glamour Life).

Here's the data.  Can anyone tell me what the computer's trying to tell me?  If a dump file is better, where can I find those?  I'm running Vista SP1.

KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR
0x0000007A (0XC0415878, 0XC000000E, 0X0B2E6860, 0X82B0F7ED)
Ntfs.sys - Address 82B0F7ED base at 82A3D000, DateStamp 47918a96


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 24, 21:53:59
I feel as if I should come back and defend my card. My ATI 3800 series card is sitting at 60c. All through game play. I have allowed the game to remain on overnight (although tabbed) with no ill effects. The only crashing experienced is on one lot and since I had trouble installing the files, I assume that it is because of that. The seemingly random crash to desktop that I experienced before has not occurred again. I have had the game running and actualy up for at least 10 hours each day since I've installed it, I have no life. Anti-aliasing is maxed with no ill effect to sim hair or the trees. It was on when I first started the game and everything but the trees looked fine. We started fooling with settings, discovered that the pixelated tree issue was solved by fooling with the resolution, but by that point we had mutilated the sim hair. We played with the settings, got the sim hair back. The floating sim heads that appear for choosing actions still have no hair however(they were fine before I started all this). I am currently playing with every setting that I can, in game and out, trying to fix the problem. I have no idea what all we changed before.
The only other problem I seem to be having is with the benches in the cemetery. The card can not seem to find the texture overlay that they are supposed to have and instead gives them a nice pixely rainbow as a texture. The same benches on the Goth lot that I am playing are just fine. No other object seems to have this issue.
Once more I am going to state that I do not have the newest drivers for my card. Someone with my card and the newest drivers may have a different experience.


There is no exe file in the crack folder. Only the launcher and the app to generate the key. There is however, a TS3.exe file in the 'bin' folder. Is this the one you were referring to?

The file that is TS3.exe in the crack folder, that is the crack, what do you mean launcher? What is the file extension on that? The TS3.exe file in the BIN folder is the original. You want to replace the original .exe with the one from the crack folder. If your crack folder does not have one for some reason, there is a link in my signature. That link has the crack and keygen that came with my game rared up and uploaded.

Edit: the Adaptive anti-aliasing was causing the floating sim head-hair issue. My benches also have messed up distance textures, they're half-way complete up close, any further and the textures are garbage. Anyone know where the textures are stored and if it has to do with the CRC error I had while installing? This is not a GFX card problem, it is a file problem.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Ryslin on 2009 May 24, 22:58:48
You know I had horrible graphics problems with the original release of spore , and had a 38xx version ATI at the time. The only solution I ever found for the dreaded black line corruption was deletion/uninstall of the game and reinstall.
To be honest I never use adaptive Anti aliasing. ATI's catalyst ai is also a bit buggy. Manually set your anti aliasing, turn off the adaptive, turn off catalyst ai and see if you stabilize morriganrant

..............
SecuROM comes from more than just the Sims series, have other games installed Tingeling?

.......
Kernal crashes are something entirely different Exiled. That is the OS having a fit. Check your settings on your torrent downloader. I am sorry that I don't know that exact kernal error, my gut says you are running out of memory during task. Then again your memory could be faulty. Could be a bad sector on harddrive , could be that it is placing part of the download in a system area and pissing off VISTA.

Do a search on google with your kernal dump number and the OS and see what you get.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 24, 23:13:41
You know I had horrible graphics problems with the original release of spore , and had a 38xx version ATI at the time. The only solution I ever found for the dreaded black line corruption was deletion/uninstall of the game and reinstall.
To be honest I never use adaptive Anti aliasing. ATI's catalyst ai is also a bit buggy. Manually set your anti aliasing, turn off the adaptive, turn off catalyst ai and see if you stabilize morriganrant

Spore I had no problem with once I found a decent set of drivers. It was the newest drivers that gave me issue with Spore. Artifacing and such. I was also thinking that I would need to uninstall and reinstall. I was just debating on that anyway. Part of my issue installing seems to be that it thinks that the neighborhoods cache file is not the same size as the one found in the .cab files. If it gives this error again, I may just live with it for now instead of finding a new torrent, or else try to get someone to upload the original for me. My household is all paranoid with the lawsuits against the torrent sites and COX is known to send warnings to pirates. Until I get a new version of that file I can't know for sure what the crashing on that one lot is caused by. I have already turned off Adaptive Ati-aliasing(once I figured out that it was my problem) and have maxed anti-aliasing. Catalyst AI has been off since the beginning as it didn't appear to be doing anything for Sims3, and even on games I have where it does, it doesn't seem to do enough for me to bother.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: BigFatLady on 2009 May 24, 23:25:41

There is no exe file in the crack folder. Only the launcher and the app to generate the key. There is however, a TS3.exe file in the 'bin' folder. Is this the one you were referring to?

There should be the keygen file and a TS3.exe in the crack folder - that TS3.exe is the one that you need (look at the properties and the cracked one was modified 21.05.09 - if you have one from April, that is EA one and will be the one asking for registration)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 25, 00:01:26
For those who think there may be an ATI problem -- and I'm not saying there is -- I'd be interested to know what happens if you do the following:

1) Completely uninstall current ATI drivers and Catalyst Control Center. Restart when you are asked to (important).

2) Install the latest "Display Driver Only" for your config from ATI (this should exclude the Catalyst Control Center).

This is just curiosity on my part.

Exiled, if you're getting BSODs while torrenting (if I'm understanding you correctly), you may have some kind of serious issue with your computer. I'd shut down all extraneous software (including your torrent software) and anything else living in your system tray. Then run a full virus and spyware scan. Beyond that, you may have to run Windows Repair or something (from original discs). Also try googling "0x0000007A" for more possibilities.

Oh, I also wanted to mention that after exhorting everyone to get new drivers, I was encountering some occasional PC-killing freezes (not crash to desktop or BSOD, just a slowdown and gradual death of video output). Usually when panning across town or loading create-a-style or something. I checked my drivers and they were about three versions old. :) Installed the latest NVIDIA WHQLs, no freezes yet (knock on wood).


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: BeautyWitch on 2009 May 25, 03:57:42


There is no exe file in the crack folder. Only the launcher and the app to generate the key. There is however, a TS3.exe file in the 'bin' folder. Is this the one you were referring to?

The file that is TS3.exe in the crack folder, that is the crack, what do you mean launcher? What is the file extension on that? The TS3.exe file in the BIN folder is the original. You want to replace the original .exe with the one from the crack folder. If your crack folder does not have one for some reason, there is a link in my signature. That link has the crack and keygen that came with my game rared up and uploaded.

Edit: the Adaptive anti-aliasing was causing the floating sim head-hair issue. My benches also have messed up distance textures, they're half-way complete up close, any further and the textures are garbage. Anyone know where the textures are stored and if it has to do with the CRC error I had while installing? This is not a GFX card problem, it is a file problem.
Ahh, thanks a bunch, because my crack folder didn't have that file. It's up and running now


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Exiled on 2009 May 25, 06:56:37
Exiled, if you're getting BSODs while torrenting (if I'm understanding you correctly), you may have some kind of serious issue with your computer. I'd shut down all extraneous software (including your torrent software) and anything else living in your system tray. Then run a full virus and spyware scan. Beyond that, you may have to run Windows Repair or something (from original discs). Also try googling "0x0000007A" for more possibilities.

Yeah, BSODs while torrenting.  Confirmed three crashes.

I've done a bit of Googling and the techno level is overwhelming me.  The 0x7a error is caused by "virtual memory paging file, disk controller error, virus infection, or memory hardware problems."

A site recommends running Autochk, but when I try, it says it cannot run in Win32 mode...wtf?  So I can only run it when I reboot the computer and before it launches Vista?  I've set Task Scheduler to run Autochk when the computer boots up, but I wish I had a more guaranteed way that I knew that the problem was over with.

Scanning my hard drive with NAV 2009 and will be running Spybot S&D when NAV finishes up.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Lorelei on 2009 May 25, 09:48:30
No BSODs yet, but prolonged play on a laptop with an NVidia card may cause jittering (audio) or flickering video. Worst case scenario, laptop freezes. We're talking HOURS and HOURS of non-stop play (including building, buying, collecting, spawning, skillinating, redecorating) with Firefox and IRC and other stuff going on in the background, though.

Game jitters a lot less if I don't use ESC to skip the opening video advert for the game. (I have no idea if it would work better in fullscreen, but my default screen resolution would possibly make the text unreadable and images stretched, and alt-tab would likely cause issues as well. Who knows? Something to mess about with, later.)

Other culprits are "memory leak plugger" tools like WinMemOpt. If I forget to turn it off, it freezes the game temporarily and sometimes jitters occur after.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Tacuitacitum on 2009 May 25, 13:07:29
I've just gone through CCC and turned catalyst AI off, and everything down to "performance" rather than balanced/quality. All my options in Sims 3 are down to minumum as well. Game still puts on 99% load and shoots me into the 70s-80s temps.

If I switch tasks, but still have Sims 3 in the background (eg, I bring CCC or speedfan to the front, but not actually obscuring the Sims 3 window so it's still rendering, just not the active program) my load goes down to about ~20%. This way I can watch the game (as it will still play, rather than pause) but I can't actually play it (since clicking anywhere in it makes it the active window, even if I have an always-on-top window open). I don't know if that's standard behaviour - it seems slightly bizarre.

I'll try reinstalling the drivers without CCC now, and then if there's no improvement, some different drivers.

Morriganrant, what version drivers are you currently using?

Edit: Uninstalled and reinstalled 9.5 without CCC, and using Rivatuner to monitor temps. Still 99% load and shooting temps. Not being a frequent user of Rivatuner, I'm not sure how to tweak anything with it, so I'll get ATI tray tools and see what I can tweak with that.


Thanks for that! By monitoring temperature, do you mean just go into the CCC and checking the temperature right after a crash?

I reinstalled the game and the display driver today and the message about updating didn't pop up :) And I managed to get 4+ hours of play before it froze on a splitting family processing scene (sister marries other guy and moves out). I am thinking of getting a new card and cpu because my computer's quite old now and hopefully I'll have no more problems after that  :)

The temparature usually falls somewhat rapidly for me when the game is closed, so I'd suggest running the game in windowed mode and having CCC in the background so you can watch the temps as you're playing.

Alternatively, get RivaTuner and open hardware monitoring. It'll create a graph so when you've closed the game, you can see what the loads were while it was running, rather than current load/temp only in CCC.

Edit 2: Just got ATI Tray Tools started: I do not need 680 fps, EA. That's why load goes down to ~20% when not active - the fps falls to 180. Still far to high. In game fps is about 260, which is completely unneccessary. In CAS, it's ~600 again. Result is 99% load and high temps, all for something I can't even notice.

FFS. I had this problem with Civ 4 but you can put an entry in the config files to limit framerate for that game. Any way to do this with Sims 3?

Edit 3: At fullscreen, it's reporting framerates at 60 but I'm still getting 99% load. Windowed mode has the framerate set to 'default' and I can't change it, resulting in apparently 600fps. I'd still like to experiment with limiting the framerate, but I can't find any settings in the .ini files to do so.

Also, is Sims 3 using OpenGL, or D3D?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snabul on 2009 May 25, 14:37:00
Concerning the cracked .exe:

To avoid confusion, I always rename the cracked .exe to something like "crackedSims3.exe".
Then I put it in the proper folder without renaming or deleting the original game .exe.

I create a link to the cracked .exe on my desktop that launches the game.

By the way: My reloaded version works perfectly.


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: timelycorruption on 2009 May 25, 16:08:26
I've got 3 GB of RAM. Saving torrent!TS3 requires 5.59 GB of RAM. Does it take 5 GB to run TS3? Would I need to get more RAM? If I wait until it's in stores, will I be able to play it?
I'm very confused, because there seem to be conflicting ideas about this; some people are playing it with 1 GB, yet it requires 5 GB to download. This is a paradox. I can has confusion. Feel free to poke me with sharp objects and cackle.


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: HomeschooledByTards on 2009 May 25, 17:35:56
I've got 3 GB of RAM. Saving torrent!TS3 requires 5.59 GB of RAM. Does it take 5 GB to run TS3? Would I need to get more RAM? If I wait until it's in stores, will I be able to play it?
I'm very confused, because there seem to be conflicting ideas about this; some people are playing it with 1 GB, yet it requires 5 GB to download. This is a paradox. I can has confusion. Feel free to poke me with sharp objects and cackle.

HUR.

RAM =/= hard drive space.


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: timelycorruption on 2009 May 25, 18:17:59
I've got 3 GB of RAM. Saving torrent!TS3 requires 5.59 GB of RAM. Does it take 5 GB to run TS3? Would I need to get more RAM? If I wait until it's in stores, will I be able to play it?
I'm very confused, because there seem to be conflicting ideas about this; some people are playing it with 1 GB, yet it requires 5 GB to download. This is a paradox. I can has confusion. Feel free to poke me with sharp objects and cackle.

HUR.

RAM =/= hard drive space.

I have no rebuttal to defend my ignorance.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 25, 18:30:59
I need help, the new daemon tools installs spyware/whatever, right? Can someone link me to an older version. Im racking my brain trying to get the game to install again and there's nothing that I've used before. If not daemon tools and something else please make sure its spyware free and doesnt install anything extra. I plan to remove the program once installation is complete :).
Thankss :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: malianx on 2009 May 25, 18:36:45
MagicISO seems to be clean, and it's worked for me on both XP and win7.


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: araneldon on 2009 May 25, 18:38:10
http://www.rlslog.net/the-sims-3-razor1911/

No idea whether it's for real, but there it is for those who care.


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: BigFatLady on 2009 May 25, 18:48:04
http://www.rlslog.net/the-sims-3-razor1911/

No idea whether it's for real, but there it is for those who care.


it's real - it's a real trojan

nice


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: BeautyWitch on 2009 May 25, 18:58:37
I need help, the new daemon tools installs spyware/whatever, right? Can someone link me to an older version. Im racking my brain trying to get the game to install again and there's nothing that I've used before. If not daemon tools and something else please make sure its spyware free and doesnt install anything extra. I plan to remove the program once installation is complete :).
Thankss :)
I used this one because I was afraid of the daemon: http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso-magicdisc-overview.htm

It was so easy. I just right click the icon on my desktop> create Virtual CD/DVD Rom> Mount> and then locate and select the file that had ISO at the end.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 25, 19:07:33
Thanks you guys :) MagicISO it is :D


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: IAmTheRad on 2009 May 25, 19:44:42
You heard how the pirated version was beta? Yeah, it was. Pre-release, to be exact.

The group razor released a more current version of Sims 3. This one I believe is the final version that was sent to stores and was the same version that went gold. Maybe.


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: Anarius on 2009 May 25, 20:07:14
You heard how the pirated version was beta? Yeah, it was. Pre-release, to be exact.

The group razor released a more current version of Sims 3. This one I believe is the final version that was sent to stores and was the same version that went gold. Maybe.

Did you get a hold of the Razor release yet? I'm wondering if there were any actually large changes, considering the .nfo says:

"Reloaded release is not final. If you compare the file located in:
x:\Game\Bin\code_version.txt you will get these informations

Razor1911: description=Version: 0.DL-0.0.11195 Changelist: 625803
Reloaded: description=Version: 0.DL-0.0.11190 Changelist: 624575

If you compare the versions of TS3.exe you will get these infos:
Razor1911: 0.0.0.11195 (April 30. 2009 04:55:28)
Reloaded: 0.0.0.11190 (April 23. 2009 07:53:19)"

I'm grabbing it to check it out right now, but it would be nice if anyone who already got a hold of it could confirm if there are actually any decent sized changes.


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: Rockermonkey on 2009 May 25, 20:09:16
You heard how the pirated version was beta? Yeah, it was. Pre-release, to be exact.

The group razor released a more current version of Sims 3. This one I believe is the final version that was sent to stores and was the same version that went gold. Maybe.

Only problem is, it apparently has a trojan...I'd stay away from it, they didn't even use the right cover.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 25, 20:29:05
I'm theoretically going to be installing the razer1911 release in a few minutes. Can anyone tell me where and what files I need to backup to save my current neighborhood? (Not sure this is wise but figure I'll try it anyway)


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: BigFatLady on 2009 May 25, 20:47:58
The group razor released a more current version of Sims 3. This one I believe is the final version that was sent to stores and was the same version that went gold. Maybe.
If anyone has the Razor one, please give game version. The final apparently is 1.0.631.00107. It appears to be gone from NewTorrent.



stupid, stupid question, but where do you look to see which version it is? Does it tell you in a file or do you need to install it and find it in game somewhere?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 25, 20:58:20
Morriganrant, what version drivers are you currently using?
8.512.0.0.
For those who may find this useful, I discovered that Adaptive Anti-aliasing wasn't exactly the problem. If the Edge Detect option was not used with Anti-aliasing then the hair issue showed up.


Title: Re: THE HORROR: The REAL TS3 Scoop As It Unfolds
Post by: Anarius on 2009 May 25, 21:24:55
I honestly don't care what the townies do. I care what my made sims do. Without the ability to either toggle it off for the whole 'hood, or toggle it off for certain families (which, at one point, is what it was rumored we would have), this feature completely restricts us from playing more than one household effectively.

The group razor released a more current version of Sims 3. This one I believe is the final version that was sent to stores and was the same version that went gold. Maybe.
If anyone has the Razor one, please give game version. The final apparently is 1.0.631.00107. It appears to be gone from NewTorrent.



I've just about got it done, ill check in about 20 mins or so.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zazazu on 2009 May 26, 14:58:02
Having major issues with Razor release. Trying to install freezes my system. First, after mounting a popup comes up with garble and system specs. Then some Digital Labs installs. Then I get a firewall alert about a temp file trying to get Internet access. Whether I allow or disallow, system freezes.

I've scanned everything for viruses and I'm coming up clean.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jonsnow on 2009 May 26, 17:30:16
Hi!
does the razor version have securom? has anyone checked?
and is this version the retail vesion? and how do I check the version?
also, do I need to download a crack in addition to the game?

thanks!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kennyinbmore on 2009 May 26, 17:38:01
Hi!
does the razor version have securom? has anyone checked?
and is this version the retail vesion? and how do I check the version?
also, do I need to download a crack in addition to the game?

thanks!

This is on the other thread

Found the following on Usenet just now. Dunno if it is important.
nfo file for an 8.5 meg rar in alt.binaries.cores

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         ▄▄▀▀▀▄
     ▄▄▀▀ ▄▄█  ▀▀▀▄▄▄▄
    █ ▄▄█████▄███▄▄▄▄ ▀█▄▄▄▄▄                   ▄█▀▀▀█    ▄▄▄
    ▀▄▄ ▀███▀ ▀▀██████▄ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█▄█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀██▀ ▄▀ █▄▄█▀ ▄ ▀▀▀▀▄▄
       █ ███    ▄█████▀ ▀▀▀████ ▀█ ▄█████████▄  ▄███▄ ▀ ▄▄██▄▀██▄▄ ▀▄
       █ ███  ▄██▀▀▀▀ ▄▀ ▄██▀███   ▀█▀   ▄██▀ ▄█▀ ▀███▄  ███   ▀███▄ █
       █ ███▄██▄  ▄▄██▀ ███ ▄ ███ ▀▄▄  ▄██▀ ▄██▄ ▀▄ ▀███▄███  ▄██▀▀ ▄▀
       █ ███▀████▄  ██ ███▀    ███ ▀ ▄██▀   ▄████▄ ▀ ▄█▀ ███▀██▄  ▄▀
       █ ███  ▀████▄  ▄███ ▄▄█▀▀███▄███▄▄▄▄███ ▀███▄█▀   ███  ▀██▄ ▀▄▄
     ▄▀ ▄███▄ ▄ ▀████▄▀██▀▀▀ ▄ ▀▀▀▀███▀▀▀▀▀▀▀  ▄ ▀█▀ ▄█ ▀▀▀▀▀ ▄ ▀██▄  ▀▀▄▄▄▄
    █▄ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ █▄ ▀█████▄▄ ▀▀▀▀▀██▄  ▀▀▄ ██▀▀▀██ ▀ ▄███▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▄ ▀▀██▄▄  ▄ ▀▄
  ▀▀▀█▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀█▄▄▀▀███████▄▄▄   ▄▄▀ ▄▄█     █▀▀▀▀▀            ▀▀▄▄▄ ▀▀▀ ▄▀
                  ▀▀█▄▄▄ ▀▀▀▀█████▀▀ ▄█▀                              ▀▀▀▀▀
                      ▀▀▀▀▀▀▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▀▀                   1 9 1 1         <JED>


 ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
 │                         Razor 1911 proudly presents:                       │
 │                             The Sims 3 Crackfix                            │
 │                             (C) Electronic Arts                            │
 ├────────────────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────┤
 │ Date: 2009-05-25                   │ Game Type : Simulation                │
 │ Size: Small                        │ Protection: DVD-Check, Serial         │
 └────────────────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────┘

 Game Notes
 ~~~~~~~~~~
 The   freedom   of  The  Sims  3  will  inspire  you  with  endless  creative
 possibilities   and  amuse  you  with  unexpected  moments  of  surprise  and
 mischief!  Create  over  a  million  unique  Sims  and  control  their lives.
 Customize  everything from their appearances, to their personalities and even
 the  home  of their dreams. Then, send your Sims out to explore new locations
 around  town  and  to  meet  other  Sims  in  the  neighborhood. Go online to
 download  exclusive  content  and  show  off your own creations to the world.
 With  all-new  quick challenges and rewarding game play, The Sims 3 gives you
 the  freedom  to choose whether (or not!) to fulfill your SimsÆ destinies and
 make their wishes come true.

 Note:
 ~~~~~
 We missed some ingame dvd checks. Here is the fix. Enjoy!
 
 For the guys who nuked us:
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 The EA updater dont works with Releoaded release because
 the updater is only working for Sims 3 version start from 1.0.631.00001.
 Reloaded is 1.0.615.00107 and not final :)
 
 http://na.llnet.eadownloads.ea.com/u/f/sims/sims3/patches/sims3_sku2_update_manifest.xml
 
 
 
 Install Notes
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 1. Extract RAR
 2. Copy crack to <InstallDir>\Game\Bin
 3. Have Fun!
 
 
 Razor 1911 Greetings                           
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                         
 Playing beta games is like having sex with a condom!
 

                                                                             
                                      /\
                        Razor 1911   /__\   Since 1985
                                    /\  /\
                                   /__\/__\

              SUPPORT THE COMPANIES THAT PRODUCE QUALITY SOFTWARE!
     IF YOU ENJOYED THIS PRODUCT, BUY IT!  SOFTWARE AUTHORS DESERVE SUPPORT!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Supposedly the new crack is included in the torrent


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Exiled on 2009 May 26, 18:57:26
Wanted to update my situation.  I ran Autochk.  Don't know what the results were, but trying to torrent TS3 Reloaded resulted in the same crash.  My mom suggested downloading it to my external hard drive, so I did, and now I'm playing TS3.

I also torrented SpinRite and I'm wondering if that will do anything to help.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Tacuitacitum on 2009 May 26, 19:34:13
Is anyone finding better performance on the Razor/patched release?

Specifically I'd like to know about GPU loads and temps compared to the Reloaded release, but any info on performance in general would be handy for those of us wondering if it's worth getting the Razor release just yet.

V: sorry, wasnt sure if it was technical support over there or more gameplay oriented stuff. I'll have a mosey on over.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 26, 19:45:32
Is anyone finding better performance on the Razor/patched release?

Specifically I'd like to know about GPU loads and temps compared to the Reloaded release, but any info on performance in general would be handy for those of us wondering if it's worth getting the Razor release just yet.

There is another thread for that information.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Deadclown on 2009 May 26, 21:19:35
I stated this in the REL VS. RZR thread. But on my system the RZR version just refuses to run. the screen flashes and TS3.EXE is running in the applications but that's about it. I downloaded and used the crackfix I even ran the "update" and nothing. The reloaded version works fine or as fine as it can before my PC overheats and shuts down


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jrcaporal on 2009 May 26, 21:58:09
where is the update, heven't seen it, I've clik some links in these threads but it says a 404 error :/


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: keirra on 2009 May 26, 22:56:55
where is the update, heven't seen it, I've clik some links in these threads but it says a 404 error :/

Update? You mean the the Razor torrent?

http://tinyurl.com/2c9np (http://tinyurl.com/2c9np)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jrcaporal on 2009 May 26, 23:31:01
Update? You mean the the Razor torrent?

http://tinyurl.com/2c9np (http://tinyurl.com/2c9np)

No, I read among the posts, there was an UPDATE that was working with both RELOADED and RAZOR files :s


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 27, 00:18:22
where is the update, heven't seen it, I've clik some links in these threads but it says a 404 error :/

Update? You mean the the Razor torrent?

http://tinyurl.com/2c9np (http://tinyurl.com/2c9np)

They mean the patch. I'm also having trouble finding it too actually. The two links in this thread go to 404 pages. Google is giving me nothing but dead ends and irrelevant results.
*goes back to google*


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: witch on 2009 May 27, 01:19:56
Sims3_1.0.632.00002_from_1.0.631.00002.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/ls99bh28ij)

Sims3_1.0.632.00107_from_1.0.631.00107.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/mvx0kfdm8z)

The rar files are named slightly differently to that above, in case The Box is looking for any specific files. I'm probably just being paranoid, but hey.

I only saw the two patch files mentioned on MATY, not sure if there were more.

ETA: 1.0.631.00002 is for the DVD/RZR release.
1.0.631.00107 is for the Digital Download release of the game.
Cheers Kralore.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JonaBullets on 2009 May 27, 01:33:21
Sims3_1.0.632.00002_from_1.0.631.00002.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/ls99bh28ij)

Sims3_1.0.632.00107_from_1.0.631.00107.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/mvx0kfdm8z)

The rar files are named slightly differently to that above, in case The Box is looking for any specific files. I'm probably just being paranoid, but hey.
Im of the impression both of these will work with the RZR release? I had downloaded 3-4 updates, and only one of them worked. may have been the 00002 one, cannot remmeber,

I only saw the two patch files mentioned on MATY, not sure if there were more.
Give it a week after official release, and no doubt there will be 8 more updates and 3 roll backs.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Kralore on 2009 May 27, 01:51:12
Sims3_1.0.632.00002_from_1.0.631.00002.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/ls99bh28ij)

Sims3_1.0.632.00107_from_1.0.631.00107.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/mvx0kfdm8z)

The rar files are named slightly differently to that above, in case The Box is looking for any specific files. I'm probably just being paranoid, but hey.
Im of the impression both of these will work with the RZR release? I had downloaded 3-4 updates, and only one of them worked. may have been the 00002 one, cannot remmeber,

I only saw the two patch files mentioned on MATY, not sure if there were more.
Give it a week after official release, and no doubt there will be 8 more updates and 3 roll backs.

1.0.631.00002 is for the DVD/RZR release.
1.0.631.00107 is for the Digital Download release of the game.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: J. M. Pescado on 2009 May 27, 02:02:36
I stated this in the REL VS. RZR thread. But on my system the RZR version just refuses to run. the screen flashes and TS3.EXE is running in the applications but that's about it. I downloaded and used the crackfix I even ran the "update" and nothing. The reloaded version works fine or as fine as it can before my PC overheats and shuts down
Oh, one of the crackfixes is a Trojan. You probably now have something called "Codec.exe" running amok on your system. You need to unrar the offending "executable" and find the REAL executable inside.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JonaBullets on 2009 May 27, 02:10:12
Ok, so just to clarify... Run 1.0.631.00002 patch, and then run the 1.0.632.00002 patch, and that will make it latest avail patch/release? Cheers.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zazazu on 2009 May 27, 02:38:36
I stated this in the REL VS. RZR thread. But on my system the RZR version just refuses to run. the screen flashes and TS3.EXE is running in the applications but that's about it. I downloaded and used the crackfix I even ran the "update" and nothing. The reloaded version works fine or as fine as it can before my PC overheats and shuts down
Oh, one of the crackfixes is a Trojan. You probably now have something called "Codec.exe" running amok on your system. You need to unrar the offending "executable" and find the REAL executable inside.
Fuckity fuck fuck.

How about "CODEC.EXE-2054E389.pf"? Got it today, the day I tried to install the Razor version, which stalls my system. And I scanned it, too! This was the game install, not crack itself.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JonaBullets on 2009 May 27, 02:48:14
That defo looks like a virus of sometype... there shouldnt be any .pf files.. there should only be a 180 odd K exe that is the keygen, and then the zip/rar with the crack fix.. or might need to obtain that in a different torrent...
where are these torrents coming from?
maybe if you post links here, those of us that have it already can see if it "looks" clean, to save all the issues? (just a thought)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jrcaporal on 2009 May 27, 03:02:08
Sims3_1.0.632.00002_from_1.0.631.00002.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/ls99bh28ij)

Sims3_1.0.632.00107_from_1.0.631.00107.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/mvx0kfdm8z)

The rar files are named slightly differently to that above, in case The Box is looking for any specific files. I'm probably just being paranoid, but hey.

I only saw the two patch files mentioned on MATY, not sure if there were more.

ETA: 1.0.631.00002 is for the DVD/RZR release.
1.0.631.00107 is for the Digital Download release of the game.
Cheers Kralore.

This.

Thanks :D, I'll do what Pescado posted :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zazazu on 2009 May 27, 03:10:43
That defo looks like a virus of sometype... there shouldnt be any .pf files.. there should only be a 180 odd K exe that is the keygen, and then the zip/rar with the crack fix.. or might need to obtain that in a different torrent...
where are these torrents coming from?
maybe if you post links here, those of us that have it already can see if it "looks" clean, to save all the issues? (just a thought)

It was the first Razor torrent to come off PirateBay. I've lost which one it is by now, but it was a split one. Unraring the Sims3Setup.exe revealed a codec.exe file. I'd been paying attention to that issue for Reloaded, but didn't even think to look for it on the Razor one. Anti-virus is beating it into submission now, and cleaned file will be used shortly to install the game.

Note, this was NOT the crack fix. This was the full-game download.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 27, 03:22:12
Edited my initial razor vs reloaded post to amend my 'there is no trojan!' pronouncements. Sorry! Didn't actually get mine via torrent.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: keirra on 2009 May 27, 03:25:18
That defo looks like a virus of sometype... there shouldnt be any .pf files.. there should only be a 180 odd K exe that is the keygen, and then the zip/rar with the crack fix.. or might need to obtain that in a different torrent...
where are these torrents coming from?
maybe if you post links here, those of us that have it already can see if it "looks" clean, to save all the issues? (just a thought)

It was the first Razor torrent to come off PirateBay. I've lost which one it is by now, but it was a split one. Unraring the Sims3Setup.exe revealed a codec.exe file. I'd been paying attention to that issue for Reloaded, but didn't even think to look for it on the Razor one. Anti-virus is beating it into submission now, and cleaned file will be used shortly to install the game.

Note, this was NOT the crack fix. This was the full-game download.

This (http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4913395/The_Sims_3_-_Razor1911) is the link you posted. I bookmarked it, but then decided to use rapid share links.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Sigmund on 2009 May 27, 03:30:14
I got my Razor version from TPB and have scanned it for viruses, but it's repeatedly come up clean. It's not the same one that Zazazu posted, however. I'll see if I can find a link.

ETA: Alright, this (http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4913181/3f50b8b7cd47359ca00b599871afd767) is the one I downloaded without any messages popping up from my antivirus yet. Will probably run a full system scan tonight just to make sure, though. 


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 27, 03:43:15
Thanks Witch!

Someone on GOS reported that they got a Trojan from one of the Razor ones on Mininova. Probably the one I am downloading right now. They Said that Avast didn't report it at all. I'll try scanning with Malwarebytes for curiosities sake when I get it, and then open it up anyway. WinRar will open the executable? Or are you guys using a different rar extraction program?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zazazu on 2009 May 27, 04:35:03
I used WinRar a bit ago to confirm that it was there, yes. McAfee did not show the virus on scan of the downloaded torrent or .iso (I always check). Did show it on my computer just now, though, through a McAfee scan, and all add times are 5/26 at 10:50, which is when I first tried to install. I'm clean now. Tried to install with the ripped real file inside the fake-o file, and system said it was a damaged file. The other unrar'ed torrent is almost done now.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: teels on 2009 May 27, 04:46:37
I downloaded the Razor version (from seedgames) , and followed intructions I gathered from this thread. The program started up and loaded, but when it got to the neighborhood window, it said EA didn't recognize the disk as valid (something along those lines).

Can anyone tell me what to do to fix that?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JonaBullets on 2009 May 27, 04:53:03
I got my Razor version from TPB and have scanned it for viruses, but it's repeatedly come up clean. It's not the same one that Zazazu posted, however. I'll see if I can find a link.

ETA: Alright, this (http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4913181/3f50b8b7cd47359ca00b599871afd767) is the one I downloaded without any messages popping up from my antivirus yet. Will probably run a full system scan tonight just to make sure, though. 
Shit, now i tihnk about it. wont be able to advise wether or not they are proper releases, because they are RARed, it could have anything inside them, the one i downloaded of my tozza site was also RARed.

Files like codec.exe and should never be run, delete that shit ASAP, dont even bother to clean it. cause it arnt going to clean. All that should be in the rar is the iso, and a nfo relating to RZR release, filled out all with the RZR info and what not. There is on the ISO of the DVD, a folder with the keygen.

When it comes to the actuclly crack, RZR release had some issses so they had to release a CRACKFIX, this is where I have no doubts people will try screw you over from PirateBay, and other dirty sites. Be careful when it comes to this one. Below is the file name and size of the CRACKFIX i got and works fine...

rzr-s3cf.001 - 4,007,879

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                  ßßÛÜÜÜ ßßßßÛÛÛÛÛßß ÜÛß                              ßßßßß
                      ßßßßßßÜÜÜÜÜÜÜßß                   1 9 1 1         <JED>


 ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
 ³                         Razor 1911 proudly presents:                       ³
 ³                             The Sims 3 Crackfix                            ³
 ³                             (C) Electronic Arts                            ³
 ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´
 ³ Date: 2009-05-25                   ³ Game Type : Simulation                ³
 ³ Size: Small                        ³ Protection: DVD-Check, Serial         ³
 ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ

 Game Notes
 ~~~~~~~~~~
 The   freedom   of  The  Sims  3  will  inspire  you  with  endless  creative
 possibilities   and  amuse  you  with  unexpected  moments  of  surprise  and
 mischief!  Create  over  a  million  unique  Sims  and  control  their lives.
 Customize  everything from their appearances, to their personalities and even
 the  home  of their dreams. Then, send your Sims out to explore new locations
 around  town  and  to  meet  other  Sims  in  the  neighborhood. Go online to
 download  exclusive  content  and  show  off your own creations to the world.
 With  all-new  quick challenges and rewarding game play, The Sims 3 gives you
 the  freedom  to choose whether (or not!) to fulfill your Sims' destinies and
 make their wishes come true.

 Note:
 ~~~~~
 We missed some ingame dvd checks. Here is the fix. Enjoy!
 
 For the guys who nuked us:
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 The EA updater dont works with Releoaded release because
 the updater is only working for Sims 3 version start from 1.0.631.00001.
 Reloaded is 1.0.615.00107 and not final :)
 
 http://na.llnet.eadownloads.ea.com/u/f/sims/sims3/patches/sims3_sku2_update_manifest.xml
 
 
 
 Install Notes
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 1. Extract RAR
 2. Copy crack to <InstallDir>\Game\Bin
 3. Have Fun!
 
 
 Razor 1911 Greetings                            
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                          
 Playing beta games is like having sex with a condom!
 

                                                                              
                                      /\
                        Razor 1911   /__\   Since 1985
                                    /\  /\
                                   /__\/__\

              SUPPORT THE COMPANIES THAT PRODUCE QUALITY SOFTWARE!
     IF YOU ENJOYED THIS PRODUCT, BUY IT!  SOFTWARE AUTHORS DESERVE SUPPORT!!

now, the only file in there is a TS3.exe - which gets replaced...

Any other issues?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zazazu on 2009 May 27, 05:18:10
Files like codec.exe and should never be run, delete that shit ASAP, dont even bother to clean it. cause it arnt going to clean. All that should be in the rar is the iso, and a nfo relating to RZR release, filled out all with the RZR info and what not. There is on the ISO of the DVD, a folder with the keygen.
This is not how the codec.exe is hidden. When you open up the .iso, you will see a file called Sims3Setup. It looks like an .exe. It quacks like an .exe. It is not an .exe. If you can open it with WinRar, you will see the supposed real Sims3Setup and the codec.exe file. However, in my case, the "real" Sims3Setup was invalid. If you can't open the Sims3Setup with WinRar, it's the real deal and no codec for you.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 27, 06:02:04
Ghost on GOS appears to have gotten a different Trojan. Her's was hidden away in the Autorun.exe and was an SVChost.exe file that was stuck inside.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JonaBullets on 2009 May 27, 06:21:38
Files like codec.exe and should never be run, delete that shit ASAP, dont even bother to clean it. cause it arnt going to clean. All that should be in the rar is the iso, and a nfo relating to RZR release, filled out all with the RZR info and what not. There is on the ISO of the DVD, a folder with the keygen.
This is not how the codec.exe is hidden. When you open up the .iso, you will see a file called Sims3Setup. It looks like an .exe. It quacks like an .exe. It is not an .exe. If you can open it with WinRar, you will see the supposed real Sims3Setup and the codec.exe file. However, in my case, the "real" Sims3Setup was invalid. If you can't open the Sims3Setup with WinRar, it's the real deal and no codec for you.
A tip for people in this case... is to set the extensions of the files so they can be seen, so that if like the case of the .exe.pl file it can be seen. And also the icon on the exe's file, will be like a blank application window. its things like this that spell trouble.
I spose if people have any issues they can jump on here.. and maybe post a screenie to show what they are looking at, before going into it, and causing issues, some one is always here to help out. and not only that, im sure they would have geekie friends to ask also.

I just dont see the point in dickheads out there, causing issues with dodgy torrents, and viruses and shit.. its the corporate world they should be going for, not the Bob/Betty Newbie! There just inst any point!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: malianx on 2009 May 27, 06:24:14
I just dont see the point in dickheads out there, causing issues with dodgy torrents, and viruses and shit.. its the corporate world they should be going for, not the Bob/Betty Newbie! There just inst any point!

Because some of those people have credit cards, bank routing information, wow accounts, brokerage accounts. Ever heard of a keylogger?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JonaBullets on 2009 May 27, 06:34:47
I just dont see the point in dickheads out there, causing issues with dodgy torrents, and viruses and shit.. its the corporate world they should be going for, not the Bob/Betty Newbie! There just inst any point!

Because some of those people have credit cards, bank routing information, wow accounts, brokerage accounts. Ever heard of a keylogger?
Yes. I use one to record my girlfriend on msn... when im away... (not really, I use a screen capture tool, alot easier to decode)
I know why they do it... but its just fucking stupid. And I know there is nothing that can be done...
Except have helpful people like us here to help out Bob/Betty from getting bent over, and have their motive bars hit rock bottom.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: VeilSethekk on 2009 May 27, 06:37:45
I just dont see the point in dickheads out there, causing issues with dodgy torrents, and viruses and shit.. its the corporate world they should be going for, not the Bob/Betty Newbie! There just inst any point!

Because some of those people have credit cards, bank routing information, wow accounts, brokerage accounts. Ever heard of a keylogger?

Not to mention that it fuels those ridiculous conspiracy theories sheeple have about EA leaking dirty versions of the game to "get back at pirates".


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JonaBullets on 2009 May 27, 06:42:40
This is why I always use a trusted source, private tozza sites, or verified source from reputable users (emule related, FTI)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Tacuitacitum on 2009 May 27, 13:53:44
I've managed to limit temps to ~67C (still runs at 99% load ¬_¬) using ATI Tray Tool's forced wait for vsync and refresh locks to lock it at 60fps... but only on fullscreen. Again, it's CAS and menus that are taking the most load, regardless of graphics settings.

Windowed mode still runs away with 300-1200 fps and 80C unless it's not the active window. Pain the the arse, considering I play most of my games in windowed mode.

Are there no vsync options in the game? "vsync on" is unrecognised in the cheat console.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LogicalPlayer on 2009 May 27, 15:13:26
Hey I need some help How exactly to I install this? I just finished downloading the razor version and i know im supposed to extract the files next but how? when I open the folder its numbered files from 001 file to 054 file then there some other files in there im new to this some help would be appreciated please


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Jonesi on 2009 May 27, 16:09:54
If you have Winrar, open it and go to File > Open Archive and browse to 001, and then hit "Extract".


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Deadclown on 2009 May 27, 19:48:36
rzr-s3cf.001 - 4,007,879

That's the file I have been using as the crack fix. But it doesn't matter now I used the Razor install and the Reloaded exe and it works fine. and that patch works with it also. I even get the Razor version info in the bin file. BUT atm my powersupply fan is knackered so I can't really play anything yet.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 May 28, 03:14:58
I hate that I'm missing out on being able to play before the release date. But after buying a new psu and replacing my old case with a new Antec Nine Hundred, it's still crashing a few minutes in. I think it could be because I'm using stock thermal compound on both my video card and processor, so I ordered some Arctic Silver 5, but that won't be here until Monday. I thought changing my case, buying a new power supply and installing a VGA cooler would be enough, but I guess not. But now my computer is even crashing on Guild Wars (that's never happened before) so apparently whatever's wrong, it's getting worse.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: malianx on 2009 May 28, 03:21:06
I hate that I'm missing out on being able to play before the release date. But after buying a new psu and replacing my old case with a new Antec Nine Hundred, it's still crashing a few minutes in. I think it could be because I'm using stock thermal compound on both my video card and processor, so I ordered some Arctic Silver 5, but that won't be here until Monday. I thought changing my case, buying a new power supply and installing a VGA cooler would be enough, but I guess not. But now my computer is even crashing on Guild Wars (that's never happened before) so apparently whatever's wrong, it's getting worse.

Are you sure it's heat related and not memory or disk?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: JonaBullets on 2009 May 28, 03:24:46
I hate that I'm missing out on being able to play before the release date. But after buying a new psu and replacing my old case with a new Antec Nine Hundred, it's still crashing a few minutes in. I think it could be because I'm using stock thermal compound on both my video card and processor, so I ordered some Arctic Silver 5, but that won't be here until Monday. I thought changing my case, buying a new power supply and installing a VGA cooler would be enough, but I guess not. But now my computer is even crashing on Guild Wars (that's never happened before) so apparently whatever's wrong, it's getting worse.
Have you tried running Everest on your PC, to check what all hardware temps are, and recording them down? That would be my best bet, to see if it is heat related.
Grab a copy of it from some where, Install it, and start recording the information, then play Sims or Guild Wars, and then when it crashes, or stuffs up... You can go back to it, and see if its a heat issue, records by the software.

But like malianx said, it might be a RAM or HDD thing. See how you go, and let us know? Happy to help, or try to :S


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SciBirg on 2009 May 28, 04:43:32
From experience, it could be a fried graphics card. I had a card with only the 3D part fried so the pc was fine as long as I didn't try to play a game... :'(


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Tacuitacitum on 2009 May 28, 10:24:13
I hate that I'm missing out on being able to play before the release date. But after buying a new psu and replacing my old case with a new Antec Nine Hundred, it's still crashing a few minutes in. I think it could be because I'm using stock thermal compound on both my video card and processor, so I ordered some Arctic Silver 5, but that won't be here until Monday. I thought changing my case, buying a new power supply and installing a VGA cooler would be enough, but I guess not. But now my computer is even crashing on Guild Wars (that's never happened before) so apparently whatever's wrong, it's getting worse.

I got artifacts on my games before my old graphics card kicked in - if your RAM is seated next to your CPU and your CPU's been overheating due to lacking thermal compound, then it could be your RAM. RAM can bugger your OS and make it unbootable (trust me) if some system files go through it and get scrambled, so best catch it early. Especially if you're noticing more crashes just after an install/uninstall/update.

Try Memcheck (which you'll need to burn to disc and run before DOS) to check for errors on your RAM. I had something like 17,000 errors and still counting from heat-damaged RAM.
Haven't tried Everest, but failing that, Speedfan can give you HDD temps and CPU load and temps.
ATI Tray Tools or RivaTuner can give you GPU load and temps.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Simsample on 2009 May 28, 10:38:06
I hate that I'm missing out on being able to play before the release date. But after buying a new psu and replacing my old case with a new Antec Nine Hundred, it's still crashing a few minutes in. I think it could be because I'm using stock thermal compound on both my video card and processor, so I ordered some Arctic Silver 5, but that won't be here until Monday. I thought changing my case, buying a new power supply and installing a VGA cooler would be enough, but I guess not. But now my computer is even crashing on Guild Wars (that's never happened before) so apparently whatever's wrong, it's getting worse.
Also I would check your event logs to see if there are any clues. Are you monitoring your temperatures? What's making you so sure this is temperature related?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Sagana on 2009 May 28, 11:03:31
Stupid question 5,006: My poor dying computer says it can't run the game because it doesn't support Shader Model 2 (runs fine on my husband's computer, of course). Is there any way I can trick my computer into starting it anyway, by editing the graphic rules file as was done for TS2, or would that just break the game even if I got it to load?

I would like to run it (even at all low settings) on this computer for a bit. Buying a new one (or upgrading the video card and it can't take a new card anyway as it needs more upgrades than that) isn't an option right now and isn't really necessary anyway as there are 2 other machines in the house that will run the game. I'd just like to know if it was possible.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Mixreality on 2009 May 28, 11:33:41
Not necessarily TS3 related:

I see that the people are panicking here when their graphic card temps are anywhere in the range 60-90 C. My card idles at 70 C and gets as far as around 115 C when running TS3 (few degrees less with TS2). I've had 2 crashes (lockups, actually) but it mostly runs just fine with all settings maxed. CAS crawls like a snail and saving the game takes ages, but everything else is perfect. I think the lockups don't happen when the game runs on one core. No lockups in TS2.

The card is underclocked with PowerStrip, by about 10-15%. It doesn't work at all with default settings. I tried to pull it out to see if it's fried or melted, but couldn't (take it out)  ::) I haven't noticed any visual damage.

My prime suspects are the card, of course, and the power supply. I'm not buying anything new, any time soon. When it goes, it goes. The question is, am I damaging other components (motherboard etc.) when I'm running the game?

(Also, the case is closed and the insides are incredibly filthy. I'll get to it one of these days. It's also hot in here, when it's not, the temps are lower by 10 degrees).


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 28, 11:50:52
Sagana, what video card or chipset do you have? If you're not sure, google "how to get a dxdiag".


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Sagana on 2009 May 28, 11:58:10
It's an ATI Raedon 9250 video card.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kennyinbmore on 2009 May 28, 12:51:56
It's an ATI Raedon 9250 video card.

That card is a dinosaur luv. My son's pc has a Radeon X-300 that I thought wouldn't run it, but it does. I think that 9250 is is the old PCI, not even PCI-E


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Sagana on 2009 May 28, 12:59:02
Yeah, it is. So is the computer and the computer itself would have to be upgraded to upgrade to a better video card. It's not worth that. That doesn't answer the question though. Can I trick the dinosaur into running the game or is it impossible?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kennyinbmore on 2009 May 28, 13:22:05
Yeah, it is. So is the computer and the computer itself would have to be upgraded to upgrade to a better video card. It's not worth that. That doesn't answer the question though. Can I trick the dinosaur into running the game or is it impossible?

I don't have a PHD in computers, although I have a built a few in my day and I'd have to say not happening


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Sagana on 2009 May 28, 13:34:52
Thanks! It was worth a shot. Especially as it appears the problem is with "shaders model 2" which is the same thing you can change in the graphics rules text file in TS2 but maybe TS3 is more dependent on it. But not a big deal, hubby will just have to share ;)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 28, 14:15:22
Thanks! It was worth a shot. Especially as it appears the problem is with "shaders model 2" which is the same thing you can change in the graphics rules text file in TS2 but maybe TS3 is more dependent on it. But not a big deal, hubby will just have to share ;)

I'm hesitant to make any unequivocal statement when I don't have the game in front of me, but I think directx is up to Shader Model 3.0, at least in some games. I think I saw a similar graphics rule file, but again, not at home. :\ I think the bottom line is that even if you can trick it into working, gameplay is going to be sluggish and miserable. I know 'upgrade your computer' is easier said than done, but if your system only takes PCI video cards, I'm not sure it's worth spending money on what will be another older-generation video card. In other words, I think you probably need a new box at this point.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Sagana on 2009 May 28, 14:42:29
*nod* Thanks. I actually suspected that was the answer, but thought I'd ask before I gave up altogether. A new computer is in the works down the road a bit and as we do actually have good ones that will run the game, it's not that big a deal, but my husband and I skipped kindergarten and 'doesn't play well with others' belongs on our report card. I was hoping not to have to share just to play around with it.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 28, 14:58:24
There seems to be alot of talk about video cards overheating and causing game glitches. And, although I may be wrong in my numbers here, most of those cards with heat issues seem to be from the ATI family.  Am I wrong in assuming this? I am concerned because my computer has a 1950X.  And if this thing starts heating up and causing RAM issues, it's getting replaced. Fast. I really prefer the nVidia series, and if the ATI cards are heating up, I'll switch. In a heartbeat.  Before I purchased this computer I had heard talk about some of the ATI cards having temperature issues. I was reluctant to put an ATI card in the new set up but they gave me a really good price on it and I bit.  Is it now gonna bite me in the ass when I play The Sims 3?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Lum on 2009 May 28, 15:18:23
This might be helpful info or not, but my ancient ATI Radeon 9600 with 1GB of pitiful RAM runs Sims 3 just fine (in mostly low settings, of course.) If I crank up for sim detail, special effects and lighting, but leave the town details on low, it looks presentable and good enough.

Hope to get a new video card over the summer, though.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 28, 15:35:38
Thanks for the info, Lum. But I think I am going to replace this one anyway. I have never been totally happy with it's  performance. And I find the Catalyst Control Center useless. It's been in the computer for two years now, and I have really put it through some heavy playing.  Hours upon hours of Sims as well as other graphic-intense games. I want to be sure I get the full impact of The Sims 3 experience.  The last time I searched for updated drivers for this card, ATI  had a statement up that they weren't going to post any new drivers for this card on their site but I could go to another site to search for newer drivers.  Well, I guess that kinda means this one has been replaced by something newer and shinier.  Methinks I want a newer, shinier card.  ;D


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kennyinbmore on 2009 May 28, 15:42:05
There seems to be alot of talk about video cards overheating and causing game glitches. And, although I may be wrong in my numbers here, most of those cards with heat issues seem to be from the ATI family.  Am I wrong in assuming this? I am concerned because my computer has a 1950X.  And if this thing starts heating up and causing RAM issues, it's getting replaced. Fast. I really prefer the nVidia series, and if the ATI cards are heating up, I'll switch. In a heartbeat.  Before I purchased this computer I had heard talk about some of the ATI cards having temperature issues. I was reluctant to put an ATI card in the new set up but they gave me a really good price on it and I bit.  Is it now gonna bite me in the ass when I play The Sims 3?

I don't have that particular card, but my ati hd 4850 is running the game as smooth as silk. I believe I have a newer card so that may not help you


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 May 28, 16:45:20
Also I would check your event logs to see if there are any clues. Are you monitoring your temperatures? What's making you so sure this is temperature related?

I'm honestly not sure if it is a heating issue, especially since getting the VGA cooler and switching the case didn't help much. My new case has four 120mm fans, 2 in the front, 1 on the side, 1 on in the back and it has a 200mm top fan. All those fans have multiple speeds, so I could try turning them up if needed. I also have a rather large heatsink/fan combo over my CPU. I am pretty certain, though, that it is likely my video card and not my RAM because when the screen goes black or gray when playing TS3, or orange when playing Guild Wars, it tends to act a few seconds later like the monitor isn't connected, (I get the No Input Signal message on the monitor) while the computer is still obviously on. And if I try to just push the restart button, it won't always get the signal back right off, so I've been turning it off for 10 minutes or longer when that happens.

I posted on the tech forum where they told me it was the psu causing the problems and told them it was still happening, so they now want to know about my fans, what kind of thermal compound I used or if I used the stock stuff and they want me to check my voltage and temps in BIOS. So I need to check that. I'll probably check my RAM while I'm at it just in case, because they're still under warranty. I have 3 1GB sticks and 2 are only 3 months old and the other I just got yesterday.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zazazu on 2009 May 28, 16:46:47
Snowluv, mine is an ATI Sapphire Radeon x1950Pro. Addison isn't running hot at all...still cool to the touch with TS3, Photoshop, and Firefox up usually. But then, my power supply has super cooling and my box is pretty big. There's a lot of space for air flow. No crashes. No graphical issues except for a split second of white meshes when I jump across town using saved camera points.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TapThatBooty on 2009 May 28, 16:52:29
Mines is an ATI X600, and I have 2GB ram and 3 internal fans, but I keep getting crashes or automatic closing. I had this issue where the video feedback froze and the image would flash bright then dull, but the sound would play while the Sim went about her day, I have no idea what is going on.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Simchick on 2009 May 28, 17:00:17
There seems to be alot of talk about video cards overheating and causing game glitches. And, although I may be wrong in my numbers here, most of those cards with heat issues seem to be from the ATI family.  Am I wrong in assuming this? I am concerned because my computer has a 1950X.  And if this thing starts heating up and causing RAM issues, it's getting replaced. Fast. I really prefer the nVidia series, and if the ATI cards are heating up, I'll switch. In a heartbeat.  Before I purchased this computer I had heard talk about some of the ATI cards having temperature issues. I was reluctant to put an ATI card in the new set up but they gave me a really good price on it and I bit.  Is it now gonna bite me in the ass when I play The Sims 3?

I'm playing with the same card, 512MB, with an intel 920d cpu and 3gb ram. My graphics are set to the highest and they look good. No problems so far. I did update my drivers a few days ago to a 2/25/09 version and I got the driver update from the ATI website. No problems with overheating altho my case has 4 fans.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 28, 17:34:55
There seems to be alot of talk about video cards overheating and causing game glitches. And, although I may be wrong in my numbers here, most of those cards with heat issues seem to be from the ATI family.  Am I wrong in assuming this? I am concerned because my computer has a 1950X.  And if this thing starts heating up and causing RAM issues, it's getting replaced. Fast. I really prefer the nVidia series, and if the ATI cards are heating up, I'll switch. In a heartbeat.  Before I purchased this computer I had heard talk about some of the ATI cards having temperature issues. I was reluctant to put an ATI card in the new set up but they gave me a really good price on it and I bit.  Is it now gonna bite me in the ass when I play The Sims 3?

I'm playing with the same card, 512MB, with an intel 920d cpu and 3gb ram. My graphics are set to the highest and they look good. No problems so far. I did update my drivers a few days ago to a 2/25/09 version and I got the driver update from the ATI website. No problems with overheating altho my case has 4 fans.



Or were you directed to another website?  The last time I was on the ATI website I could not find anything for this card.  That is what made me believe this one is not going to be supported any longer. And I did update with that set of drivers from 2/25/09 in March.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kennyinbmore on 2009 May 28, 18:06:51
There seems to be alot of talk about video cards overheating and causing game glitches. And, although I may be wrong in my numbers here, most of those cards with heat issues seem to be from the ATI family.  Am I wrong in assuming this? I am concerned because my computer has a 1950X.  And if this thing starts heating up and causing RAM issues, it's getting replaced. Fast. I really prefer the nVidia series, and if the ATI cards are heating up, I'll switch. In a heartbeat.  Before I purchased this computer I had heard talk about some of the ATI cards having temperature issues. I was reluctant to put an ATI card in the new set up but they gave me a really good price on it and I bit.  Is it now gonna bite me in the ass when I play The Sims 3?

I'm playing with the same card, 512MB, with an intel 920d cpu and 3gb ram. My graphics are set to the highest and they look good. No problems so far. I did update my drivers a few days ago to a 2/25/09 version and I got the driver update from the ATI website. No problems with overheating altho my case has 4 fans.



Or were you directed to another website?  The last time I was on the ATI website I could not find anything for this card.  That is what made me believe this one is not going to be supported any longer. And I did update with that set of drivers from 2/25/09 in March.

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/radeonaiw_vista32.aspx

the date on this one is 3/18/09. This is the Vista driver but there's a xp driver too. I couldn't remember your OS


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Mayinca on 2009 May 28, 19:25:11
    
Today when I opened the game this message appeared:  :-\

"You are playing a non-final, unauthorized copy of The Sims 3. Purchasing and registering an official copy of The Sims 3 will entitle you to benefits including access to an entirely new game town called Riverview, 1000 SimPoints which can be redeemed for game objects in The Sims 3 Store, and access to The Sims 3 Exchange."

Is it true that it is not the final version?

sorry for my google english


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SciBirg on 2009 May 28, 20:29:16
   
Today when I opened the game this message appeared:  :-\

"You are playing a non-final, unauthorized copy of The Sims 3. Purchasing and registering an official copy of The Sims 3 will entitle you to benefits including access to an entirely new game town called Riverview, 1000 SimPoints which can be redeemed for game objects in The Sims 3 Store, and access to The Sims 3 Exchange."

Is it true that it is not the final version?

sorry for my google english

Try turning off internet before starting the game. Do you get the same result?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Mayinca on 2009 May 28, 22:17:48
Try turning off internet before starting the game. Do you get the same result?

forget it, I don't care, I just wonder if is true that it is not the final version... I suppose we'll have to wait until the launch date   :-\ ... thanks anyway  ;D


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Chain_Reaction on 2009 May 28, 22:31:01
Well, I'm playing on a very low end ATI card (X1300 Pro) and it works fine but doesn't like shadows. I tried turning lighting and shadows up to medium, and while there was no lag, the shadows were liquid, literally. They didn't stay still, they had jagged edges that moved like water, from the picnic table to the roofs of buildings... so back down to low that goes. I also noticed sims didn't have shadows on terrain paint but did on sidewalks. It's alright, I can deal. I also have this slight issue where any object with glass in the game flashes. It wasn't doing that till I turned texture detail to medium. I have cars going down the street with the glass randomly appearing and disappearing. As long as there's no lag I will ignore it.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: barachanchan on 2009 May 29, 02:53:39
   
Today when I opened the game this message appeared:  :-\

"You are playing a non-final, unauthorized copy of The Sims 3. Purchasing and registering an official copy of The Sims 3 will entitle you to benefits including access to an entirely new game town called Riverview, 1000 SimPoints which can be redeemed for game objects in The Sims 3 Store, and access to The Sims 3 Exchange."

Is it true that it is not the final version?

sorry for my google english

What version of the Sims 3 do you have 1.0.615 or 1.0.631? Screenshot would be nice.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: snowluv on 2009 May 29, 03:57:42
There seems to be alot of talk about video cards overheating and causing game glitches. And, although I may be wrong in my numbers here, most of those cards with heat issues seem to be from the ATI family.  Am I wrong in assuming this? I am concerned because my computer has a 1950X.  And if this thing starts heating up and causing RAM issues, it's getting replaced. Fast. I really prefer the nVidia series, and if the ATI cards are heating up, I'll switch. In a heartbeat.  Before I purchased this computer I had heard talk about some of the ATI cards having temperature issues. I was reluctant to put an ATI card in the new set up but they gave me a really good price on it and I bit.  Is it now gonna bite me in the ass when I play The Sims 3?

I'm playing with the same card, 512MB, with an intel 920d cpu and 3gb ram. My graphics are set to the highest and they look good. No problems so far. I did update my drivers a few days ago to a 2/25/09 version and I got the driver update from the ATI website. No problems with overheating altho my case has 4 fans.



Or were you directed to another website?  The last time I was on the ATI website I could not find anything for this card.  That is what made me believe this one is not going to be supported any longer. And I did update with that set of drivers from 2/25/09 in March.

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/windows/Legacy/Pages/radeonaiw_vista32.aspx

the date on this one is 3/18/09. This is the Vista driver but there's a xp driver too. I couldn't remember your OS

I am runnng on XP. I just checked the version on those drivers and they are from February. Thanks for the link. And I really appreciate everyone giving me the info.  I guess I will wait until I have The Sims 3 installed and see if this card goes bonkers on me. I kinda hope it does so I'll have an excuse to upgrade.  ::) There are some new, impressive cards out there that are compatible with my system, and I am itching to see how much of an improvement I'll get with a new one. Once again, thanks for all the input.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jonsnow on 2009 May 29, 06:11:28
Hi!
Where did you guys download your game? cause mine it taking FOREVER  :( I started it a few days ago and I only got 900MB...
If anyone has a link to a good torrent (or some other kind of downloading method) I would be grateful!!!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: cheezwiz on 2009 May 29, 08:07:56
My antivirus chirped on on the crack .exe in the Razor torrent currently on Demonoid.  I wound up grabbing a Pirate Bay-tracked Reloaded one.  There was a somewhat unusual Sims3Setup.exe in there, but none of this codec.exe/etc stuff inside, just usual file components (and a Verisign certificate, for whatever that's worth).

Also, note that the "official" setup, at least in the clean version, launches out of Autorun.exe.  My guess is that it's made for the ease of computer newbies who don't know how to activate a setup program.  I'm not entirely certain how that relates to the installation of SecureRom, though.  It's possible that if someone did write another installer for the game, they did it to stop it from installing the copy protection.  Or it might just be an unfinished installer the devs were working on.  Or it could just be a virus.  Who knows.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: sanmonroe on 2009 May 29, 08:39:00
   
Today when I opened the game this message appeared:  :-\

"You are playing a non-final, unauthorized copy of The Sims 3. Purchasing and registering an official copy of The Sims 3 will entitle you to benefits including access to an entirely new game town called Riverview, 1000 SimPoints which can be redeemed for game objects in The Sims 3 Store, and access to The Sims 3 Exchange."

Is it true that it is not the final version?

sorry for my google english

Depends, are you playing reloaded, razor, or razor plus final patch?

And they can say you are not playing the final version every time they make a patch. The game is only final when all work stops on it.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: sanmonroe on 2009 May 29, 08:41:00
Hi!
Where did you guys download your game? cause mine it taking FOREVER  :( I started it a few days ago and I only got 900MB...
If anyone has a link to a good torrent (or some other kind of downloading method) I would be grateful!!!

Pirate bay had the reloaded version with thousands of seeeders. DL that. Then DL the razor patch that was under 1 gig. It will update your game.

I DLed both in a total of about 4-5 hours.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: sibanti on 2009 May 29, 20:55:14
Ok, so I'm new to arr-ing and I'm pretty sure I downloaded the Sims 3 RELOADED from Pirate Bay, but it's taking a really long time. I left it on all night and it's still at 45%. The ETA keeps jumping from 22 hrs. to 3 days depending on how many KB/s is going down or up. I have all the expansions installed. Should I uninstall a few of them? Would that make it go faster? Oh and the entire package I'm downloading (with utorrent) is 4.93 GB. Is that too much?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: sanmonroe on 2009 May 29, 22:55:53
Ok, so I'm new to arr-ing and I'm pretty sure I downloaded the Sims 3 RELOADED from Pirate Bay, but it's taking a really long time. I left it on all night and it's still at 45%. The ETA keeps jumping from 22 hrs. to 3 days depending on how many KB/s is going down or up. I have all the expansions installed. Should I uninstall a few of them? Would that make it go faster? Oh and the entire package I'm downloading (with utorrent) is 4.93 GB. Is that too much?

You may have to optimize your connections and decrease your upload rate based on your connection speed.

There are torrent wikis that will tell you how to set them. Personally I prefer azureus because the DHT system seems to grab more people, but thats just me.



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Salomon on 2009 May 30, 01:22:48
I have all the expansions installed. Should I uninstall a few of them? Would that make it go faster?

Since these are unrelated things, no.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Millikat on 2009 May 30, 02:10:25
Just a heads up, my virus scanner detected (and luckily blocked) backdoor.graybird in the key gen exe of the razor1911 version. The rest of the download comes up clean


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ItchyNScratchy on 2009 May 30, 15:47:12
I've read and read threads here till my head hurts, and I can't make out what on earth I need to do, so I'm throwing myself out hoping I can get some help. I've attempted phyllis' aid, but I think I've thoroughly confused her and managed to embarrass myself in the process. (Thanks for bearing with me, phyllis.) If someone can help a newb pirate, I'd be so grateful.

I've been downloading files from here for two days now: http://www.rlstalk.net/topic/3897-the-sims-3-razor1911/ <-- the hotfile version. I've got all of them downloaded, including the crack. I opened WinRAR, extracted all 26 files AND the crack file and was left with what looks like this:
(http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/526/confused2.th.jpg) (http://img241.imageshack.us/my.php?image=confused2.jpg)
Inside the CrackFix file is pretty much the same:
(http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/3717/confusedj.th.jpg) (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=confusedj.jpg)

It was suggested that I download an NFO reader (have never heard of that in my life), and when I googled I saw several different versions, but since I don't really know what it IS, I'm not sure what versions are trusted.
Scratch that. I've got GetDiz and now see the keygen stuff, but still don't have a clue what to do to get the .iso files.

Basically, at this point I've got a bunch of files that I can't open, no .iso files that I can SEE, so I'm not sure if I'm supposed to extract files rzr-sims3.001 through rzr-sims3.054. Also, I've got 2 NFO files called "revolver.nfo" and "rzr-sims3.nfo"--do I extract those?

Inside the Crack folder I've got 4 files: 0.bin, rzr-sc3f.001, rzr-sc3f.nfo, and rzr-sc3f.svf. No clue what they're for or what to do with them. UPDATE: I've "verified" the sfv files, but I don't know why I needed to do that. It didn't teach me anything or get me any closer to my end goal, which is to find the .iso files and figure out what to do next.

Help is appreciated in advance. I'm overwhelmed.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Blaise on 2009 May 30, 17:44:10
Basically, at this point I've got a bunch of files that I can't open, no .iso files that I can SEE, so I'm not sure if I'm supposed to extract files rzr-sims3.001 through rzr-sims3.054. Also, I've got 2 NFO files called "revolver.nfo" and "rzr-sims3.nfo"--do I extract those?

Inside the Crack folder I've got 4 files: 0.bin, rzr-sc3f.001, rzr-sc3f.nfo, and rzr-sc3f.svf. No clue what they're for or what to do with them. UPDATE: I've "verified" the sfv files, but I don't know why I needed to do that. It didn't teach me anything or get me any closer to my end goal, which is to find the .iso files and figure out what to do next.

Help is appreciated in advance. I'm overwhelmed.

No worries. I was mighty confused at that point, too. Download 7-zip, or use WinRAR if you have it. I find that 7-zip does everything that I would have needed from WinRar and it is FREE. I like free. Whichever method you use, click on the FIRST .001 file That is a rar file that has been broken up into many parts. .001 is the first part. Unless you have a file called rzr-sims3.rar, then THAT is the first one. If you are using 7-zip, RIGHT click on the first file. Choose EXTRACT HERE. 7-zip will quietly go about extracting every file in order. You will be left with an .iso file.

NFO file is simply an INFO file. Open it with Notepad. Should have text in it.

Also, googling really does help you learn. Typing in ".001 file" in google gives you this page as the first link:

http://www.binaries4all.com/001/

And that taught me what I am now teaching you. I also google NFO file to learn what that meant, too. Most folks have struggled before you have, asked and you can just google to learn what they learned!

So use GoogleU (Google University) to learn.



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ItchyNScratchy on 2009 May 30, 18:14:10
Trust me, I've done my share of google, MATY, PMBD, and other outlets to figure out what the heck I'm supposed to do. It's not that I don't understand what things ARE now--I've read what these files are. My problem NOW is I just need to figure out what to DO with all of it! I see all of these files in one spot and my brain just goes into shut-down mode.

Google is my friend, and I know how to use it. I simply have just never ARR'd anything before, have no idea how to get this game extracted/setup, so that's my problem--not that I'm a retard that doesn't know how to google. :D

And since I don't have anyone offering to take me step-by-step, I'm having to go through blindly with the hope that I don't blow something up.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Blaise on 2009 May 30, 18:23:14
I just gave you step by step. Here it is again:

1. Click on the first file. That file will be named .rar or .001 (I did not DL the RZR release.)

2. RIGHT CLICK. Choose EXTRACT HERE.

3. Let 7-zip or WinRAR do it's thing.

4. You will have an .iso file.

As to the NFO:

1. Right Click the .nfo

2. Choose OPEN WITH...then choose notepad.


Does that help? Also, read the link I gave you, you may find that helpful.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ItchyNScratchy on 2009 May 30, 18:31:05
Yes, I saw already. Didn't have to repeat. Thank you for the help. I'm hoping now that I'm not too stupid to figure out what to do next.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zanahoria on 2009 May 30, 18:42:02
Hi guys. I can run the pirated game on my laptop (though, not quite as fast or smoothly as I'd like), but when I installed it on my other computer (admittedly better), and following the exact same steps, I always get the same error whenever I try to run the exe file. I get the following message: "Sims3Launcher has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience." I googled it, but to no avail so far. Yes, I installed it correctly. Yes, I cracked it. I don't get it.

So, should I download Razor1911's release and try that one instead, or chances are it won't work either...?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: rufio on 2009 May 30, 18:48:58
Itchy, you need Daemon Tools Lite (http://www.filehippo.com/download_daemon_tools/).  You can use that to mount the .iso, which will then show up like a CD that you put into your drive.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 May 30, 18:57:27
Out of curiosity, those playing the game with ATI Radeon HD cards, are you able to turn every graphical option to the highest?  I can turn up every option except for edge smoothing.  I'm getting smooth lines, obviously, but it's also giving me sims with no hair...or bald tops, in any case.  Just curious, because Sims 2 was able to handle all of the options turned up, and I never got any weird effects to go with it.

It also seems that those of us with HD audio cards are having sound issues, somewhat.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ItchyNScratchy on 2009 May 30, 19:46:17
Itchy, you need Daemon Tools Lite (http://www.filehippo.com/download_daemon_tools/).  You can use that to mount the .iso, which will then show up like a CD that you put into your drive.
Ah, thank you, that is super. I'm installing now, but I've hit another snag in the road.
<snapped picture>

Hitting Ignore on that brings me this:
CRC error: The file C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Caches\TCC_Version.txt doesn't match the file in the setup's .cab file. The medium from which you are running the setup may be corrupted c; contact your software vendor.

AllThumbnails.package is showing corrupted too.

and it just goes on and on....


Finally installed. I had to redo the .iso as somehow it didn't go through completely the first time. Thanks for the help, everyone. :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 May 30, 19:59:41
Before you mounted it using Daemon Tools and tried installing it, did you look to see if your previous installation (or almost-an-installation, as it were) left behind anything in the Program Files on your C drive (or whatever letter drive you tried installing it to), in your My Documents Folder, or even in the Windows registry?  The Sims games tend to do that and won't install properly if there's something left behind for the installation to squabble over.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ItchyNScratchy on 2009 May 30, 20:06:06
It seems to be all intact. I've checked my ISO file size--does 5.55 GB sound right?


Title: how to install Razor1911
Post by: Catmaniap on 2009 May 31, 01:40:27
Sorry for the inconvenience but Im new with all there pirating etc.. things
When I try to install it I extract the rar files but i dont know what to do next. Where do i put the folders and the setup.exe. thing?
I have the leaked version.
Help please?


Title: Re: how to install Razor1911
Post by: Solowren on 2009 May 31, 01:44:33
Jesus. There is already a thread for this. Please use your eyeballs.


Title: Re: how to install Razor1911
Post by: Catmaniap on 2009 May 31, 01:52:06
but i still dont get it! english is my second language somethings it's confusing


Title: Re: how to install Razor1911
Post by: Witchboy on 2009 May 31, 02:00:00
Cat, check your PM box.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: spambi on 2009 May 31, 02:00:49
It seems to be all intact. I've checked my ISO file size--does 5.55 GB sound right?

That's the right size.

Unrelated question -- I downloaded the razor version and my antivirus program tells me there's a virus in sims3setup.exe. Can anyone a non-virusy version of this file? Thanks

edit: Scratch that. I found that I could open sims3setup.exe with WinRar, extract the real setup file and delete the virus (codec.exe) (Thanks Kyna, you answered my question as I was editing this post.)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Kyna on 2009 May 31, 02:38:48
It seems to be all intact. I've checked my ISO file size--does 5.55 GB sound right?

That's the right size.

Unrelated question -- I downloaded the razor version and my antivirus program tells me there's a virus in sims3setup.exe. Can anyone a non-virusy version of this file? Thanks

See if you can open sims3setup.exe with winzip or winrar (or whatever unzip software you are using).  If you can, you'll find the real sims3setup.exe inside the bad file.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: moondance on 2009 May 31, 03:18:27
Out of curiosity, those playing the game with ATI Radeon HD cards, are you able to turn every graphical option to the highest?  I can turn up every option except for edge smoothing.  I'm getting smooth lines, obviously, but it's also giving me sims with no hair...or bald tops, in any case.  Just curious, because Sims 2 was able to handle all of the options turned up, and I never got any weird effects to go with it.

It also seems that those of us with HD audio cards are having sound issues, somewhat.

My card is an HD 2400, and no, I've had no issues at all, and I do have all settings on high.  I was a little concerned when I read on here that some peoples' cards/computers were overheating, and mine is one of those little slender Dells with not much space inside (Inspiron 530S,) and nothing impressive in the way of fans, but I've run the game for hours with no problems at all.   

One thing might be worth noting though--or might be irrelevant, but I'll mention it anyway.  I upgraded my drivers a few months ago and immediately started experiencing problems with Sims 2.  I downgraded back to the 8.530 drivers, but not before reading some complaints that the new 9.x drivers seemed to be causing some peoples' video cards to run much hotter than they had before upgrading.  I have no idea if that was an issue that was fixed with subsequent drivers, or if it was an issue that was imaginary in the first place, but I'm still using the 8.530 driver and having no graphical issues with either game, and no overheating.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Scotty on 2009 May 31, 03:36:39
My poor graphics card is at deaths door, I can still play the game, but it doesnt look all that shiny.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 May 31, 16:46:08
My card is an HD 2400, and no, I've had no issues at all, and I do have all settings on high.  I was a little concerned when I read on here that some peoples' cards/computers were overheating, and mine is one of those little slender Dells with not much space inside (Inspiron 530S,) and nothing impressive in the way of fans, but I've run the game for hours with no problems at all.   

One thing might be worth noting though--or might be irrelevant, but I'll mention it anyway.  I upgraded my drivers a few months ago and immediately started experiencing problems with Sims 2.  I downgraded back to the 8.530 drivers, but not before reading some complaints that the new 9.x drivers seemed to be causing some peoples' video cards to run much hotter than they had before upgrading.  I have no idea if that was an issue that was fixed with subsequent drivers, or if it was an issue that was imaginary in the first place, but I'm still using the 8.530 driver and having no graphical issues with either game, and no overheating.

That's what's odd for me -- no overheating (have a cooling kit and many fans inside this beast), so that's not an issue.  I have a HD 3200, so I should also be able to set edge smoothing to high without getting almost bald sims.  I do have the 9.5s that came out earlier this month, and I've had to play "Find A Good Driver" before when I still had a Nvidia and was getting the wonderful blue screen of Sims 2 death, so maybe I have to play that game again.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Yaakovashoshana on 2009 May 31, 17:33:57
This is not technically a technical problem, since I haven't acquired the Sims 3 yet, but I have noticed an anomaly when it comes to system requirements. I have a 6 year old desktop that runs The Sims 2 + plus all EP's and SP's with no problem. I went to that "Can You Run It?" site just to see if my rig was up to the new game. It failed . . . and I really wasn't too surprised.

I have a much newer laptop - only a couple of years old - and went to the same site. I tested Apartment Life and it failed, which I expected. I had already tried installing the Sims 2 on that machine, and the graphics card is not supported, which made the resulting gameplay less than impressive. However, when I tested my laptop for Sims 3, it passed with the CPU and Video Card just beyond the minimum requirement.

Does this strike anyone else as odd - that the newer machine can't run the older game, but it will run the newer (and supposedly more graphics-intensive) game? Just wondering.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 May 31, 17:45:32
I'm wondering if it gave you a lower score on the laptop just because it's a laptop.  Or perhaps the older computer has a better video card (or a better something in any case) than the laptop does (which can be the case).


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Yaakovashoshana on 2009 May 31, 17:58:13
I'm wondering if it gave you a lower score on the laptop just because it's a laptop.  Or perhaps the older computer has a better video card (or a better something in any case) than the laptop does (which can be the case).

I don't think the site differentiates between laptop or desktop when it checks the system. It just runs an applet that checks CPU, RAM, OS, Video, Sound and Available Disk Space.

It merely seems strange to me that the graphics card on the new machine that isn't good enough to run the old game will supposedly run the new game. I would certainly think that the Sims 3 would be more graphics-intensive than the Sims 2.

Maybe I'm wrong. It's happened before.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 May 31, 18:20:22
Something has to be scoring lower on the laptop for a reason.  Sims 2 gave me an A+ with this computer, while Sims 3 was scored a little lower.

Edit:  And here's that balding sim thing I was talking about.  Tried forcing anti-aliasing, and while I got beautiful graphics otherwise, I still got these goddamn balding sims, so I had to turn it back to application-controlled. 

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa125/ThePenguinOnTheTelly/Screenshot-1.jpg)

After having such beautiful graphics on Sims 2, the jagged edges are killing me.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 31, 18:36:26
Zaphod, I'm gonna crank up AA on my card and see if I can replicate your results.

MEANWHILE...

I'm not sure if this has been happening all along in my game and is just now getting to me, or if it's newish behavior: there is horrific stuttering/jerking when I rotate or pan the camera. I've tried quite a combo of low/high settings and it's still happening. Could someone with somewhere in the realm of an NVIDIA 8800 or 9600 let me know how it is on their system? Just hold down the rotate key (either pushing the menu button or using <> keys) and tell me if this occurs smoothly. Zoom should be about normal household-play level.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 May 31, 18:43:24
Ah, thanks. 

Also, after installing the Razor + patch version, I'm still getting random crashing to desktop.  Is anyone else without overheating issues getting this error, too?  I'll wait for an answer here before I try switching drivers.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 May 31, 18:47:39
I've had no CTDs, just some system freezes that never recurred after I uninstalled RLD.

I can't remember (it's been a whole week or so since I was in this thread much, and I'm old), but I think crash-to-desktop was happening more commonly with ATI users?

Meanwhile, one of the following improved my camera-movement stutter significantly:

--restarting PC
--disabling Kaspersky
--deleting cache files

Scientific method rules.




Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 May 31, 18:50:44
For fuck's sake, I resorted to ATI after the Nvidia bug bullshit, and now ATI has a problem with the game.  Excuse me while I go beat my head against the wall.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 May 31, 19:31:11
For the Hair issue, turn adaptive anti-aliasing off. Adjust Anti-aliasing yourself, try turning on edge detect. I want to say that there was another setting we fooled with to get rid of that issue, but for the past 2 days I haven't been able to play so have forgotten. Plus I uninstall reloaded and installed Razor, so my settings are not set up the way they were just yet.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 May 31, 20:05:48
Yes, this was it.  Thank you.  I'd tried fiddling with the anti-alias and edge smoothing settings, but forgot about having the adaptive settings still on.  Can't believe that caused all this damn wonkiness, but nevertheless, thanks again.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TheQuietOne on 2009 May 31, 22:56:11
Would anyone know what exactly is this supposed to do - The Sims 3 Unsupported Hardware & Graphics Crack - http://www.mininova.org/tor/2641581 (http://www.mininova.org/tor/2641581)?

Readme states as follows:

The Sims 3 Unsupported Graphics Card Workaround
---
in this economy, who the hell can afford to just go out and upgrade hundreds of dollars worth of hardware -
people who say "Oh just go buy a better PC or video card" need to try working to
make their own living, since having access to their rich parents' money makes them
think they know it all. What the hell are they doing downloading torrents! if it
were that easy to just up and buy all that hardware, you could have bought the
game just as easy.... shut up, assholes.....
---
DLL files Brought to you by Kajinkodda
---
The watermark that Swiftshader places is removed, so you can play games
without any problems.
---
To use this, just place the two dll files and the Swiftshader.ini file into
the same directory as the game.
C:\program files\electronic arts\the sims 3\game\bin

Then just run the game and you're off.


It's a bit on a whiny side for my taste and lacks any real description. I'm quite fond of my computer so asking more Awesome than me for advice is clearly the only sane option here. Thanks.




Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TapThatBooty on 2009 June 01, 00:53:00
That doesn't work, it just makes the game slow and choppy.

I thought it would fix my crashing, and now the wierd line problems, but nada.

I've asked on here a few times for peoples input about what could be causeing my problems but no one has even registered my posts.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SlickCee on 2009 June 01, 01:25:28
Is there any reason why my game is taking forever to render things?

  Say I follow one of my Sims to work and then go back to the house. First, the house will remain blurry- like the other houses when you are far away from them- for a minute, and when I finally do get inside it takes forever for all the objects to get their textures back. In build and buy mode when I am using the color wheel tool, whenever I highlight an object it looses its texture. Yes, the texture gradually comes back in both cases but it is still annoying as hell.
 
  Also, everything has jagged edges. I read something about anti-alias? Would someone mind explaining that to me? 

  I am using the reloaded version if that has anything to do with it. I am going to see if these same problems exist when I get the legit copy of the game.

  Here are my specs...

  Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.090302-1506)
  Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600  @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
  Memory: 3070MB RAM
  Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
  Manufacturer: NVIDIA
  Chip type: GeForce 8800 GT
  Display Memory: 1779 MB


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 01, 01:29:40
That doesn't work, it just makes the game slow and choppy.

I thought it would fix my crashing, and now the wierd line problems, but nada.

I've asked on here a few times for peoples input about what could be causeing my problems but no one has even registered my posts.

Possibly because no one knows? Most of this thread is full of people with crashing issues on all kinds of different cards.

What is the weird line problem? Got a pic? That could be a few things.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 June 01, 01:49:25
Also, everything has jagged edges. I read something about anti-alias? Would someone mind explaining that to me?

I was having the jagged edge problem.  You need to go into Nvidia's control center (I can't remember what it's called now because it's been about two years since I had a Nvidia card) and make sure that adaptive anti-aliasing is turned off (because it usually isn't).  Then you should be able to go into the game's graphical options when you load it and turn the edge smoothing all of the way up.  Of course, things would like prettier (like in GTA 4) if the adaptive could be used, damn it.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Vren Lyet on 2009 June 01, 02:32:46
Also, after installing the Razor + patch version, I'm still getting random crashing to desktop.  Is anyone else without overheating issues getting this error, too?  I'll wait for an answer here before I try switching drivers.

YES, my game also most annoyingly randomly crashes to the desktop BUT I had an error when unpacking the ISO and ignored it, had another error during installation (of course) and just let the installer "retry" and it "worked". Now, I have those random crashes and presumed they were related to this data corruption issue. Please tell me, these crashes are gone when I get my legitimate copy in three days.

Buy the way, I'm running the game on an 2007 Edition 24" iMac (Intel Core 2 Duo 2,8 GHz, Radeon 2600 Pro HD) and it crashes under Windows Vista and Mac OS X although there were no errors during the Mac OS X installation. Weird!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zaphod Beeblebrox on 2009 June 01, 02:41:14
I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but I was told (and have also read) that those of us with ATI Radeons (and apparently the HD cards) are having crashing issues.  I never had any problem installing the iso (but I've been installing iso-ed games for a long time) for either version, and yet I'm still crashing occasionally (and this is with the patched Razor version which is supposed to be the final version).  Now that I've had more time to play continuously, I've noticed that the crashes are definitely random.  It's like the Nvidia nightmare all over again; sometimes the crashes are a few minutes into the game, sometimes I can play for hours before crashing, and sometimes the crashes don't come at all.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: witch on 2009 June 01, 02:46:07
Not all ATI Radeons - my HD 4870 is running TS3 RLD version just fine, thanks. With everything turned up full.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Vren Lyet on 2009 June 01, 02:46:29
Well, my game crashes mostly when I try to use the neighbourhood view, which is especially annoying as being a totally new feature in Sims 3, of course - only sometimes it crashes when in sim view, which again makes me presume it's due to the data corruption in my downloaded ISO. I so much hope that to be the cause.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kitgyrl on 2009 June 01, 05:35:10
Hi all, not a noob just can't remember what my username used to be (dang it!!!)

Anyways, count me in on the ATI video problems.  I have an X1950 and as soon as I try to do anything in CAS I get those funky rendering things that make the sims look like they have spikes through their bodies.....or they are unicorns. (I like unicorns better)

As far as crashing, I got the blue screen once but I think that was a random as I had just fiddled with my drivers and settings and stuffies.



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 01, 06:01:57
Anyways, count me in on the ATI video problems.  I have an X1950 and as soon as I try to do anything in CAS I get those funky rendering things that make the sims look like they have spikes through their bodies.....or they are unicorns. (I like unicorns better)

That may not be just the card. It could be that the card is unsupported. It could be your drivers, it could be that you have more then one set of drivers installed, it could be overheating. Those lines are called artifacts by the way. Try searching the term artifacing.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kitgyrl on 2009 June 01, 06:10:25
Anyways, count me in on the ATI video problems.  I have an X1950 and as soon as I try to do anything in CAS I get those funky rendering things that make the sims look like they have spikes through their bodies.....or they are unicorns. (I like unicorns better)

That may not be just the card. It could be that the card is unsupported. It could be your drivers, it could be that you have more then one set of drivers installed, it could be overheating. Those lines are called artifacts by the way. Try searching the term artifacing.

Yeah artifacts!!  I couldn't remember.

This card is listed as being game compatible by EAxis (but yeah....)
I originally tried it with the 8.5 drivers and then updated to 9.3 from March and neither worked.  I always overwrite my drivers to guarantee only one set.

Tomorrow I am going to switch out to my Nvidia 8600 and see if that works. 


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Lorelei on 2009 June 01, 06:38:20
KittKitt, is that you?  :D


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Miellerie on 2009 June 01, 11:33:30
Once again confirming the ATI problems ;D

I have x1950 pro, and I'm crashing much less now (only once or twice every 6-7 hours) but also randomly getting artifacts, or at least I haven't noticed any pattern to them. So it seems there is definitely a problem with this card!

If you guys haven't seen this thread about the FPS Limiter it might be worth trying: http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,15092.0.html


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kennyinbmore on 2009 June 01, 13:31:41
Not all ATI Radeons - my HD 4870 is running TS3 RLD version just fine, thanks. With everything turned up full.

The same here with my 4670. I don't have everything on high, but I have yet to have a crash. Even my son's game has yet to crash with his old X-300


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: tizerist on 2009 June 01, 13:37:46
CAS PROBLEM (GeForce 8800 GTX)

With me, its not crashing, just the game display turns to black about 20% of the time, and I get a balloon then saying "nvlddmkm has stopped working" and the game still runs, but i have to restart to see anything...


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TashaYarrr on 2009 June 01, 14:21:34
Tizerist, I'm using the same card and have never experienced that error. You might be having an overheating issue, or else you've got a bad driver in there.

I would completely uninstall your NVIDIA driver--maybe even get a driver cleaner--restart whenever asked to, and when it's completely cleaned out install the latest NVIDIA driver.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jonsnow on 2009 June 02, 06:15:42
How do I enable cheats?
when I click ctrl+shift+c it doesn't open the cheats console :(
has this happened to anyone?
(I'm using the razor version)


Title: .
Post by: dorquemada on 2009 June 02, 06:47:37
Update your drivers, they say. Riiiiight. Did just that -- y hallo thar, artifacts! Toying with options didn't help, neither did simpler tweaks of ATI Tray Tools (by the by: if your card is ATI and you use Catalyst - don't. Kill that memory hogging garbage and get tiny yet powerful ATI Tray Tools).

What solved the problem were alternative Omega drivers. No artifacts, and the game has yet to crash (before, two trips to CAS screen was a guaranteed crash).


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Scotty on 2009 June 02, 16:23:38
Well, EAxis strikes again. People are having trouble downloading the game via digital download. Everyone is getting errors, and LONG download times. And they are out for blood. The idiot SimGurus, who are JUST moderators, say they are looking into it. Apparently, EA wasn't expecting so many people to by the game with digital download. So, once again, they are caught with their pants down. Good Job EA! Oh, and of course their forums are now down.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Crmelsimlover on 2009 June 02, 19:58:10
Well, EAxis strikes again. People are having trouble downloading the game via digital download. Everyone is getting errors, and LONG download times. And they are out for blood. The idiot SimGurus, who are JUST moderators, say they are looking into it. Apparently, EA wasn't expecting so many people to by the game with digital download. So, once again, they are caught with their pants down. Good Job EA! Oh, and of course their forums are now down.

Scotty, that's par for the course! So typical!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Salomon on 2009 June 02, 20:32:10
I'd like to know if we could be expecting another pirate cat release of the final final version or if the Razor one is the very definitively one.

I'd also like to know that if one happens to download an ISO with the evil codec.exe on it, if Autorun is going to auto-infect the computer when one mounts it (I DNW to infect my new computer with anything.)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: tizerist on 2009 June 02, 20:40:04
Tizerist, I'm using the same card and have never experienced that error. You might be having an overheating issue, or else you've got a bad driver in there.

I would completely uninstall your NVIDIA driver--maybe even get a driver cleaner--restart whenever asked to, and when it's completely cleaned out install the latest NVIDIA driver.
I see. Tomorrow i'll do that and get back to you, cheers.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Honeywell on 2009 June 02, 21:07:05
Is this possible?  EA did a bang up job, as usual, with the non-invasive DRM if it is.

Quote
after a quick look, it seems that this MAJOR BUG changed my CD/DVD ROM drive to DVD-RAM drive. my computer would recognize that there's a disc in the drive but it won't display any files... this goes for my SIMS 3 DVD, my SIMS 2 Apartment Life DVD and other DVD-R's where I backed up some files.

SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP!


http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/617.page


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Zazazu on 2009 June 02, 21:16:12
I'd like to know if we could be expecting another pirate cat release of the final final version or if the Razor one is the very definitively one.

I'd also like to know that if one happens to download an ISO with the evil codec.exe on it, if Autorun is going to auto-infect the computer when one mounts it (I DNW to infect my new computer with anything.)
Hold down SHIFT while mounting the disk. Same rule applies with a physical one. That disables autorun.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SlickCee on 2009 June 02, 22:06:26
  Note: Try not to beat me over the head for using the Sims Store, but I involuntarily got a thousand Sim points with my game and I want to use them. Also, this problem keeps me from downloading the free neighborhood as well.

  I have bought a legit copy of the game. I have been having this problem for a year now where the adobe flash player would not install on Internet Explorer 7. As a matter of fact, it is that problem that made me use Mozilla Firefox instead which had no problems with the flash player.

  I still have some programs that use the internet, like the EA download manager and Bearshare, to work. They use Internet Explorer whenever they prompt me to go install the flash player. Internet Explorer would not install the flash player so these programs will not work. How do I make these programs use Mozilla Firefox instead? I already made it my default browser.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Vren Lyet on 2009 June 02, 22:17:06
  I still have some programs that use the internet, like the EA download manager and Bearshare, to work. They use Internet Explorer whenever they prompt me to go install the flash player. Internet Explorer would not install the flash player so these programs will not work. How do I make these programs use Mozilla Firefox instead? I already made it my default browser.
It is my understanding that these kind of applications use the Internet Explorer "engine" internally so they cannot be tricked into using another browser (engine!) like Firefox' Gecko engine. How to get Flash working in IE if not by simply following "on-screen instructions" when prompted to install the flash player I don't know.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kitgyrl on 2009 June 02, 23:10:40
well I think my problem was my card overheating.

I put a new fan back there and it seems to be ok now.  KNOCK ON WOOD....I'm serious do it!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Bass Junkie on 2009 June 02, 23:13:39
KNOCK ON WOOD....I'm serious do it!

I did it, then I realised that not only was I following a silly superstition, but I was doing it due to the demands of someone on the Internet.  :-\

Caffeine levels < 0


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Avi on 2009 June 02, 23:32:02
Okay, so I uninstalled the arr'd copy and installed the real thing that my husband bought me and EADM is telling me my copy isn't the final release.  WTF?  What did I do wrong?  I uninstalled everything.  Did I miss something?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TapThatBooty on 2009 June 02, 23:55:35
I have managed to get the horrid lines off of my sims, I had changed a setting in my ATI driver when trying to fix the crashing to desktop problem. The crashing is still happening though. I've tried a fair amount to try and sort it, but nothing. I have been using that FPS tool, and it still happens. My computer is capable of playing it, but it doesn't want to.
If anyone can help, I'd much appreciate it.
My system specs are:

   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: FUJITSU SIEMENS
       System Model: GA-8I915PM
               BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 1024MB RAM
          Page File: 452MB used, 3543MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

 Card name: ATI Radeon X300/X550/X1050 Series
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: RADEON X600 (0x5B62)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5B62&SUBSYS_0490174B&REV_00
   Display Memory: 256.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6925 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 2/25/2009 22:41:10, 325120 bytes

Any help I would very much appreciate.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Fubuki on 2009 June 03, 00:11:10
Okay, so I uninstalled the arr'd copy and installed the real thing that my husband bought me and EADM is telling me my copy isn't the final release.  WTF?  What did I do wrong?  I uninstalled everything.  Did I miss something?

The arr'd version probably left some crap behind in your registry. I use CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/) to clean my registry whenever I uninstall something.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Avi on 2009 June 03, 00:14:00
I did play around a bit in the registry before uninstalling it for the second time, but to no avail.  I'm going to try this CCleaner.  Thanks, Fubuki.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 June 03, 03:01:56
I went and picked up my copy of the game from GameStop earlier and attempted to play it. After 10 minutes in CAS, the music stuttered for a few seconds and the screen went black. I couldn't do exit the game or bring up task manager, so I had to restart. So it looks like my problem playing the game is still here. I'm really getting frustrated because I've spent close to $300 already doing things that might fix my problem. I tried a VGA cooler, I bought a new power supply, I changed to a new case with great airflow and cooling, and even cleaned off the old thermal compound and replaced it with Arctic Silver 5 on both my video card and my processor. I'm just not sure what the problem is. I've tried everything I can think of and it's driving me crazy that I can't play TS3 or any other game without my computer freezing up on a black/grey/orange whatever color screen. I know I have the newest video card drivers. I completely uninstalled my old drivers and installed the newest ones just the other day. Any ideas what I should try next? Here are my specs:

Antec Nine Hundred case (It has four 120mm case fans, 2 in front, 1 on the side and 1 on the rear and a top 200mm fan.)
Windows XP Home SP 3
ASUS M2R32-MVP AM2+/AM2 AMD 580X CrossFire ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor
3 GB RAM (3X CORSAIR XMS2 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800)
XFX ATI Radeon HD 4850 512mb
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V PSU



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Bass Junkie on 2009 June 03, 03:13:29
I went and picked up my copy of the game from GameStop earlier and attempted to play it. After 10 minutes in CAS, the music stuttered for a few seconds and the screen went black. I couldn't do exit the game or bring up task manager, so I had to restart. So it looks like my problem playing the game is still here. I'm really getting frustrated because I've spent close to $300 already doing things that might fix my problem. I tried a VGA cooler, I bought a new power supply, I changed to a new case with great airflow and cooling, and even cleaned off the old thermal compound and replaced it with Arctic Silver 5 on both my video card and my processor. I'm just not sure what the problem is. I've tried everything I can think of and it's driving me crazy that I can't play TS3 or any other game without my computer freezing up on a black/grey/orange whatever color screen. I know I have the newest video card drivers. I completely uninstalled my old drivers and installed the newest ones just the other day. Any ideas what I should try next? Here are my specs:

Antec Nine Hundred case (It has four 120mm case fans, 2 in front, 1 on the side and 1 on the rear and a top 200mm fan.)
Windows XP Home SP 3
ASUS M2R32-MVP AM2+/AM2 AMD 580X CrossFire ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ Windsor 3.2GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor
3 GB RAM (3X CORSAIR XMS2 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800)
XFX ATI Radeon HD 4850 512mb
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V PSU



Run a memory test and a HDD test - dead sector on HDD could possibly cause this. Do you have instability with any other apps? It could also be another application which TS3 is dependant on which is causing the crash.

If all else fails, do a reinstall of Windows.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 June 03, 03:35:57
Run a memory test and a HDD test - dead sector on HDD could possibly cause this. Do you have instability with any other apps? It could also be another application which TS3 is dependant on which is causing the crash.

If all else fails, do a reinstall of Windows.

I can test the memory with a program my brother has, but how do I test the HDD? So far, it's only 3D games causing the problems. Like I can play the ZSNES without any problems and I'm fine when just doing stuff on the net. I could do a reinstall of Windows, but I'm not entirely sure where I put my key. That, and it's a hell of a lot of work to do. But I guess I'll do it as a last resort.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Bass Junkie on 2009 June 03, 03:39:09
I can test the memory with a program my brother has, but how do I test the HDD? So far, it's only 3D games causing the problems. Like I can play the ZSNES without any problems and I'm fine when just doing stuff on the net. I could do a reinstall of Windows, but I'm not entirely sure where I put my key. That, and it's a hell of a lot of work to do. But I guess I'll do it as a last resort.

Run scandisk, I can't remember how you set it to run next bootup, but that should do a good check.

If it's only 3d programs, sounds to me like Direct X is buggered. Perhaps look on the Microsoft website for an update? If none available, then reinstall it is. :P

Good luck.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: crunk on 2009 June 03, 03:45:14
Has anyone experiencing the "Unauthorized copy" issue with a legit game found a work around? I uninstalled, used the ccleaner, and reinstalled - only to have the same message pop up. Suggestions are welcome.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 June 03, 05:38:17
Run scandisk, I can't remember how you set it to run next bootup, but that should do a good check.

If it's only 3d programs, sounds to me like Direct X is buggered. Perhaps look on the Microsoft website for an update? If none available, then reinstall it is. :P

Good luck.

I can't find Scandisk. I thought it was under Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools, but it's not there. I did test my RAM and no errors were found. I'm going to try reinstalling DirectX (can I even go higher than 9.0c since I'm on XP?) and see if it helps. Another thing I'm going to try is running Disk Defrag too to see if it helps. I just remembered I haven't run it in a few months, so I guess it couldn't hurt. If none of that works, I have about 20 gigs worth of files that won't fit on my 2nd hard drive that I'll have to burn to DVDs before I can reinstall Windows.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 03, 05:58:53
Has anyone experiencing the "Unauthorized copy" issue with a legit game found a work around? I uninstalled, used the ccleaner, and reinstalled - only to have the same message pop up. Suggestions are welcome.

https://easims.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easims.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=ankuvozj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_faqid=22234

Well, according to EA, it's because you still have programs installed that they have issue with. Like MagicISO or Daemontools.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 June 03, 06:06:28
Has anyone experiencing the "Unauthorized copy" issue with a legit game found a work around? I uninstalled, used the ccleaner, and reinstalled - only to have the same message pop up. Suggestions are welcome.

https://easims.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easims.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=ankuvozj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_faqid=22234

Well, according to EA, it's because you still have programs installed that they have issue with. Like MagicISO or Daemontools.

I have Daemon Tools, and it's not doing that for me. And it was running while I installed and tried to play before it crashed. I didn't have anything mounted, though, so maybe that made a difference.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Irishman Too on 2009 June 03, 06:29:37
Run scandisk, I can't remember how you set it to run next bootup, but that should do a good check.

If it's only 3d programs, sounds to me like Direct X is buggered. Perhaps look on the Microsoft website for an update? If none available, then reinstall it is. :P

Good luck.

I can't find Scandisk. I thought it was under Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools, but it's not there. I did test my RAM and no errors were found. I'm going to try reinstalling DirectX (can I even go higher than 9.0c since I'm on XP?) and see if it helps. Another thing I'm going to try is running Disk Defrag too to see if it helps. I just remembered I haven't run it in a few months, so I guess it couldn't hurt. If none of that works, I have about 20 gigs worth of files that won't fit on my 2nd hard drive that I'll have to burn to DVDs before I can reinstall Windows.

To run Windows scan disk, click Start\Run...in the pop-up that follows type cmd and hit OK. A DOS window will open, type chkdsk /F and hit Enter. It will warn you the volume is in use and ask you if you would like to schedule it, press Y and hit enter. Then restart your PC and when it books you'll see it doing it's thing.

Oh and one other thing I noticed is you have a Radeon. I just went through hell shuffling some parts around between PCs this weekend because of ATI's newest drivers on an older card (not that your is that old but...). It was a Radeon 9600GT, and the newer drivers caused a restart every time I tried to play Half Life 2 on the PC I put it in. Thought it was bad memory, but Memtest 86+ turned up nothing. It turned out to be Winblows restarting on a blue screen because I was lame and didn't have Automatic Restart turned off in the System Recovery settings. Once I turned that off it led to the real error, which turned out to to be video driver related googling it. After trial and error rolling back to older versions (ridiculously old in my case) it was resolved. So you may try rolling back your video drivers a release or two at a time and se if that helps. It's a pain in the ass, but if memory and hard disk checks out, it's worth a shot. www.guru3d.com should have all the older versions for your card.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: crunk on 2009 June 03, 13:08:32
Has anyone experiencing the "Unauthorized copy" issue with a legit game found a work around? I uninstalled, used the ccleaner, and reinstalled - only to have the same message pop up. Suggestions are welcome.

https://easims.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easims.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=ankuvozj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_faqid=22234

Well, according to EA, it's because you still have programs installed that they have issue with. Like MagicISO or Daemontools.

Those miserable bastards - I uninstalled Daemontools and the screen went away. On the upside, that answered my questions about random traces of stuff left on my system from the pirated version.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: anaximander on 2009 June 03, 14:10:50
Quote
Those miserable bastards - I uninstalled Daemontools and the screen went away. On the upside, that answered my questions about random traces of stuff left on my system from the pirated version.


I wonder - did you use digital download or did you purchase a physical copy?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Gelina on 2009 June 03, 14:15:45
I have now installed the legal copy and it does seem to play smoother than the Reloaded version.  My video card is running a cooler temperatures consistently now.  However, I'm still having problems with the game randomly closing (no error message, it just disappears) and it's not due to overheating.  My CPU is consistently between 30-35 degrees while playing and the video card was at 66 and 71 degrees the two times it closed this morning.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Jelenedra on 2009 June 03, 14:20:22
Might I suggest cracking your case open and blasting a can of air through your PC? No matter how clean you keep your desk, dust will still clogs up the works. Dust in vents = substandard cooling for your PC. All my card over heating problems have been fixed this way.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: crunk on 2009 June 03, 14:25:43
Quote
Those miserable bastards - I uninstalled Daemontools and the screen went away. On the upside, that answered my questions about random traces of stuff left on my system from the pirated version.


I wonder - did you use digital download or did you purchase a physical copy?

Physical, store purchased copy.

Also, restarting computer, with Daemontools still uninstalled, results in the message of DOOM popping up again.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Gelina on 2009 June 03, 14:27:29
Might I suggest cracking your case open and blasting a can of air through your PC? No matter how clean you keep your desk, dust will still clogs up the works. Dust in vents = substandard cooling for your PC. All my card over heating problems have been fixed this way.
Done (my case is pretty much always left open and I clean it every few days).  I don't think it's an overheating problem at this point.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Jelenedra on 2009 June 03, 14:30:57
Well, poop. Here I was hoping you'd come back with a story and a name you gave the dust bunny living under your processor. =D


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Madame Mim on 2009 June 03, 14:43:00
Quote
Those miserable bastards - I uninstalled Daemontools and the screen went away. On the upside, that answered my questions about random traces of stuff left on my system from the pirated version.


I wonder - did you use digital download or did you purchase a physical copy?

Physical, store purchased copy.

Also, restarting computer, with Daemontools still uninstalled, results in the message of DOOM popping up again.

I think it was Sims 1 that they targetted CloneCD. I couldn't run my legitimate game while I had that installed on my computer. It's what moved me over to Daemon Tools in the first place.

*sigh*


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: crunk on 2009 June 03, 14:45:53
Disabling internet completely also gets rid of the message. Something in the authentication process, perhaps? Moar experimentation in the works.

Edit: it must be doing some sort of check at start up for SOMETHING - what that something is I have no idea. Blocking all internet connections when first firing the launcher up results in no "non-final, unauthorized copy" warning.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 June 03, 17:15:39
Well, I ran scandisk and it didn't report any problems, so does this rule out any hard drive problems? If so, that leaves just my video card. I just hope they'll still let me do an RMA even though I've removed the stock fan for a better VGA cooler. Of course, I'll put the stock cooler back on before I return it, but I just hope they won't notice/care.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 June 03, 17:26:49
Disabling internet completely also gets rid of the message. Something in the authentication process, perhaps? Moar experimentation in the works.

Edit: it must be doing some sort of check at start up for SOMETHING - what that something is I have no idea. Blocking all internet connections when first firing the launcher up results in no "non-final, unauthorized copy" warning.

On the TS3 site, some are saying that cleaning cache and cookies of all internet browsers that you have will fix the problem.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: crunk on 2009 June 03, 17:52:22
Disabling internet completely also gets rid of the message. Something in the authentication process, perhaps? Moar experimentation in the works.

Edit: it must be doing some sort of check at start up for SOMETHING - what that something is I have no idea. Blocking all internet connections when first firing the launcher up results in no "non-final, unauthorized copy" warning.

On the TS3 site, some are saying that cleaning cache and cookies of all internet browsers that you have will fix the problem.

After deleting cookies and cache in Firefox and I.E., the launcher no longer displays the unauthorized message. Multiple launcher loads and a computer restart yields the same results. I'm tentatively calling it fixed, thanks Phyllis!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Jelenedra on 2009 June 03, 18:09:01
What an odd fix. What, were they blocking you from playing the game if you visit pirating sites?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 June 03, 18:15:45
What an odd fix. What, were they blocking you from playing the game if you visit pirating sites?

No idea.  I thought it odd myself.  I didn't even have any speculations, so maybe you've hit upon it.

@crunk: I'm glad it worked :-)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LauraW on 2009 June 03, 18:20:17
Wow..if they would put as much work into fixing the game issues that they do in creating ways to keep us honest, it might be a really amazing game.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Roflganger on 2009 June 03, 18:28:21
Wow..if they would put as much work into fixing the game issues that they do in creating ways to keep us honest, it might be a really amazing game.

Hell, it could have been worth staying "honest" for. 


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: rosemary on 2009 June 03, 20:40:04
I have been reading that running the game in windowed mode may be a short term fix for freezing and black screens :)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: moonluck on 2009 June 03, 20:46:35
I have now installed the legal copy and it does seem to play smoother than the Reloaded version.  My video card is running a cooler temperatures consistently now.  However, I'm still having problems with the game randomly closing (no error message, it just disappears) and it's not due to overheating.  My CPU is consistently between 30-35 degrees while playing and the video card was at 66 and 71 degrees the two times it closed this morning.
I'm having the same problem. It doesn't seem to be getting too hot but I don't really know. I'm running 64 bit Win 7 is that could be anything. It happened with and without the launcher, I didn't really know what to try. Any help would be appreciated.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Fubuki on 2009 June 03, 21:50:38
Has anyone experiencing the "Unauthorized copy" issue with a legit game found a work around? I uninstalled, used the ccleaner, and reinstalled - only to have the same message pop up. Suggestions are welcome.

https://easims.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easims.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=ankuvozj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_faqid=22234

Well, according to EA, it's because you still have programs installed that they have issue with. Like MagicISO or Daemontools.

Those miserable bastards - I uninstalled Daemontools and the screen went away. On the upside, that answered my questions about random traces of stuff left on my system from the pirated version.

EA's site says that you only have to "disable" Daemon Tools; it doesn't say anything about uninstalling it. Do you actually have to remove it completely to fix the problem? I ask because this may affect my decision to purchase the "official" version of the game.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: TapThatBooty on 2009 June 03, 21:54:03
I have managed to get the horrid lines off of my sims, I had changed a setting in my ATI driver when trying to fix the crashing to desktop problem. The crashing is still happening though. I've tried a fair amount to try and sort it, but nothing. I have been using that FPS tool, and it still happens. My computer is capable of playing it, but it doesn't want to.
If anyone can help, I'd much appreciate it.
My system specs are:

   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: FUJITSU SIEMENS
       System Model: GA-8I915PM
               BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 1024MB RAM
          Page File: 452MB used, 3543MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

 Card name: ATI Radeon X300/X550/X1050 Series
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: RADEON X600 (0x5B62)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5B62&SUBSYS_0490174B&REV_00
   Display Memory: 256.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6925 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 2/25/2009 22:41:10, 325120 bytes

Any help I would very much appreciate.

Could someone please try and help with this? I'm at my wits end trying to fix it when I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm not good with computers.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 03, 22:22:29

Could someone please try and help with this? I'm at my wits end trying to fix it when I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm not good with computers.

Dude, it's nothing against you personally, people still just do not know. I'm sure when someone finds the common denominator to peoples crashes then they will cry it from the rooftops. Currently there doesn't seem to be much of a pattern and it is happening on various different card. Some people with the same cards aren't even experiencing the same crashing.
Maybe it's related to the memory leak?


Anyway, just reporting that those crashes that I experienced in the beginning have not happened at all again, even after leaving the game minimized overnight. Seriously, is Ea just incapable to creating a game without a memory leak?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: crunk on 2009 June 03, 23:07:06
Has anyone experiencing the "Unauthorized copy" issue with a legit game found a work around? I uninstalled, used the ccleaner, and reinstalled - only to have the same message pop up. Suggestions are welcome.

https://easims.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easims.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=ankuvozj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_faqid=22234

Well, according to EA, it's because you still have programs installed that they have issue with. Like MagicISO or Daemontools.

Those miserable bastards - I uninstalled Daemontools and the screen went away. On the upside, that answered my questions about random traces of stuff left on my system from the pirated version.

EA's site says that you only have to "disable" Daemon Tools; it doesn't say anything about uninstalling it. Do you actually have to remove it completely to fix the problem? I ask because this may affect my decision to purchase the "official" version of the game.

I haven't tried re-installing DT to figure that out. My issue with the launcher not displaying properly was only resolved by deleting cache and cookies in all internet browsers on my computer.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: zombiekim on 2009 June 04, 02:46:03
All right, I've been trying to get the Razor version downloaded/extracted/working all day (not being that sophisticated, arr-wise), and now I can't seem to install. Couldn't find anyone else having this problem, but hopefully someone smarter than me can figure it out.
A minute or so after setup starts, I get this error:
"CRC Error: The file C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Caches\Sunset Valley.objectcache doesn't match the file in the setup's .cab file. The medium from which you are running the setup may be corrupted; contact your software vendor."
While I commend grammar-challenged EA's attempt at a punctuation with that semicolon, there, I still have no clue what they're talking about.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 04, 03:45:09
All right, I've been trying to get the Razor version downloaded/extracted/working all day (not being that sophisticated, arr-wise), and now I can't seem to install. Couldn't find anyone else having this problem, but hopefully someone smarter than me can figure it out.
A minute or so after setup starts, I get this error:
"CRC Error: The file C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Caches\Sunset Valley.objectcache doesn't match the file in the setup's .cab file. The medium from which you are running the setup may be corrupted; contact your software vendor."
While I commend grammar-challenged EA's attempt at a punctuation with that semicolon, there, I still have no clue what they're talking about.

Cyclic redundancy check. It's trying to verify that the file is correct. I had the same issue. I never fixed it, I just kept pressing retry until I finally just hit "ignore" on the error. It will finish the install. However, I believe that my hood file was corrupted because of that. I had crashing on certain lots and panning across the hood. That was with the reloaded version. I downloaded the Razor version and the new ISO did not have that problem. Replacing the Sunset Valley.objectcache in program files, after you get it installed that is, with another working one that someone supplies you would probably work without you having to re download all over again.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: zombiekim on 2009 June 04, 03:56:17
Ah! Thank you very much. Now I know what to do--and also that I didn't just completely screw it up myself. Always a good thing.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ShortyBoo on 2009 June 04, 22:28:12
Well, I'm still getting a black or gray screen in game after trying everything that's been suggested to me, so I contacted XFX support. They suggested I install and run 3DMark06 a few times in a row. I ran it 3 times, and it was fine. But an hour later, I ran it again, and just a few minutes in, I got this error:

IDirect3DDevice9:: Present failed: Device lost (D3DERR_DEVICELOST)

Does anyone happen to know what this means? I'm actually afraid my video card is dying. I've only owned it for 4 months now, but the fact that it didn't start messing up until 3 weeks ago and has gotten worse over that time makes me think so. I've tried everything else I can possibly think of. Later on tonight, my brother's going to let me try installing his 8800GTS to see if I can run TS3 with that. I guess if it runs, then it proves it's my video card.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Jelenedra on 2009 June 05, 15:11:26
Does anyone know if the reloaded or razor nocd crack is working for the retail version? Or is it even needed considering the lack of SecuROM?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Roflganger on 2009 June 05, 15:53:59
Does anyone know if the reloaded or razor nocd crack is working for the retail version? Or is it even needed considering the lack of SecuROM?

I read in another thread (discussing whether there were any differences between RZR and Retail) that they are apparently exactly the same, as the RZR crack works on the retail version just fine.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 June 05, 16:07:22
Does anyone know if the reloaded or razor nocd crack is working for the retail version? Or is it even needed considering the lack of SecuROM?

I am using the razor nocd crack on my retail version.  No problems reported.  The razor crack's .exe is the same version as the retail's original .exe.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Jelenedra on 2009 June 05, 16:10:21
Sweet. I need to find the Razor crack then, I previously had the Reloaded version.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Clampdairyola on 2009 June 05, 22:17:09
Does anyone know if the reloaded or razor nocd crack is working for the retail version? Or is it even needed considering the lack of SecuROM?

I am using the razor nocd crack on my retail version.  No problems reported.  The razor crack's .exe is the same version as the retail's original .exe.

Will that crack enable me to play? I get this after loading the game.
(http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/Clampdiaryola/Scr04.jpg)

I've tried everything. I have no emulation software. I never downloaded the pirated version and I'm stumped. I really hate to wait for EA to fix this problem. I want to play now! lol


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 June 05, 23:42:07
Does anyone know if the reloaded or razor nocd crack is working for the retail version? Or is it even needed considering the lack of SecuROM?

I am using the razor nocd crack on my retail version.  No problems reported.  The razor crack's .exe is the same version as the retail's original .exe.

Will that crack enable me to play? I've tried everything. I have no emulation software. I never downloaded the pirated version and I'm stumped. I really hate to wait for EA to fix this problem. I want to play now! lol

Are you running from the launcher (don't do that).  Try downloading the crackfix and install the TS3.exe file you find there in the place of the game's original TS3.exe (rename the original one something else or save it somewhere else).  Run the game from the TS3.exe, not from the launcher.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: simsdesperado on 2009 June 05, 23:53:37
I had the Reloaded version on my computer. It ran beautifully. Went out today and bought the original game from the shop. I unistalled the reloaded game and prepared to installed the retail one only the drive won't see there's a disk in it. I have now reinstalled the Reloaded version. It still works beautifully. I suppose the 50$ I paid for the retail game were actually for access to the EA forums.  :(


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: MaNuSa on 2009 June 06, 10:44:27
I have a horrible problem with The Sims 3. The trees are seem to be like images. I have taken some photos:

(http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8020/screenshotklp.th.jpg) (http://img189.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshotklp.jpg)
(http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/6901/screenshot2avx.th.jpg) (http://img7.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot2avx.jpg)
(http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/8930/screenshot4pdm.th.jpg) (http://img190.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot4pdm.jpg)
(http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1553/screenshot7t.th.jpg) (http://img13.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot7t.jpg)

I think it's a bug because when I approaching the camera, one or two trees appear.

Also, I have a problem with my own sims. Their hair doesn't appear. It seems to be like a wig.

(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6176/screenshot9p.th.jpg) (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot9p.jpg)

Can you help me, please? I have updated my drivers. My graphics card is ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450. Should I reinstall the game?

Thank you :D.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Ichigo on 2009 June 06, 13:35:01
M'kay. I know I'll be shot down as a n00b, but I can only play for 20 minutes or less in a clip before a crash to desktop. This normally happens during normal play, but happened once in CAS when I tried to change root hair color. I just bought a new ASUS AH3450, ATI. I tworked some settings in-games down, with absolutely no effect. Any suggestions?

EDIT: I neglected to mention I have the retail copy.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LadyVatrovia on 2009 June 06, 14:43:11
Ehya,

I'm LadyVatrovia's hubby, I do the grunt work for her to play.

I have a question about the launcher, please excuse if this is not the appropriate place to ask, I've never been here, but I see talk about the launcher in this thread.
If someone directs me out of this thread to one more appropriate, that will be fine

If this launcher is the protocol that will connect to the EA store and download stuff, what does one do when the Sims is installed to a platform of its own? No network, no connection, not even so much as a NIC installed.

Thanks,

D


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Simsample on 2009 June 06, 15:00:42
I have a horrible problem with The Sims 3. The trees are seem to be like images. I have taken some photos:

I think it's a bug because when I approaching the camera, one or two trees appear.

Also, I have a problem with my own sims. Their hair doesn't appear. It seems to be like a wig.

Can you help me, please? I have updated my drivers. My graphics card is ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450. Should I reinstall the game?

Thank you :D.
Look in your graphics card (ATI) options to see if you have adaptive antialiasing turned on; if so then try it turned off.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Clampdairyola on 2009 June 06, 16:08:04
I have a horrible problem with The Sims 3. The trees are seem to be like images. I have taken some photos:

I think it's a bug because when I approaching the camera, one or two trees appear.

Also, I have a problem with my own sims. Their hair doesn't appear. It seems to be like a wig.

Can you help me, please? I have updated my drivers. My graphics card is ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450. Should I reinstall the game?

Thank you :D.
Look in your graphics card (ATI) options to see if you have adaptive antialiasing turned on; if so then try it turned off.




Same thing happened to me! I turned it off and everything is fine.

Thanks for the help everyone! So glad I can play my game now. I'm finding extremely fun.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Indiasong on 2009 June 06, 21:36:07
Everything was working fine, and today I tried to install the nomosaic package instead of the old censor pack. So I deleted the shaders precomp in bin and replaced it by the old one, and now everything green, the neighborhood screen, the gardens, is either red, or black. Inside is fine. Cas is fine.
I reinstalled my game, reloaded patched razor patched, keeping my households, and it is the same, even entering Riverview for the first time.
I'd be grateful for any ideas.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Aracelis on 2009 June 06, 22:16:51
All right, I've been trying to get the Razor version downloaded/extracted/working all day (not being that sophisticated, arr-wise), and now I can't seem to install. Couldn't find anyone else having this problem, but hopefully someone smarter than me can figure it out.
A minute or so after setup starts, I get this error:
"CRC Error: The file C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Caches\Sunset Valley.objectcache doesn't match the file in the setup's .cab file. The medium from which you are running the setup may be corrupted; contact your software vendor."
While I commend grammar-challenged EA's attempt at a punctuation with that semicolon, there, I still have no clue what they're talking about.

Cyclic redundancy check. It's trying to verify that the file is correct. I had the same issue. I never fixed it, I just kept pressing retry until I finally just hit "ignore" on the error. It will finish the install. However, I believe that my hood file was corrupted because of that. I had crashing on certain lots and panning across the hood. That was with the reloaded version. I downloaded the Razor version and the new ISO did not have that problem. Replacing the Sunset Valley.objectcache in program files, after you get it installed that is, with another working one that someone supplies you would probably work without you having to re download all over again.

Don't know if this is the right place to post, but I'm also having problem with the installation. Only that my game is the official one: I got it yesterday. Tried to install it and it poped up a message of "cyclic redundancy check". I hited ignore button several times. It took hours but never installed. So I thought the problem was the disc. I went to the store today to change it. Tried again to install, but the same message oped up again. So any ideas of what may be causing this?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 06, 22:31:37
I think it's a bug because when I approaching the camera, one or two trees appear.
Also, I have a problem with my own sims. Their hair doesn't appear. It seems to be like a wig.
Thank you :D.
Look in your graphics card (ATI) options to see if you have adaptive antialiasing turned on; if so then try it turned off.
Antialiasing being off didn't help that issue for me. I had to adjust screen resolution size in game. Only two of the settings work without giving me mosaic tress. The hair issue was Adaptive Antialiasing being on. I adjusted antialiasing manualy and used the edge detect option. Hair is now fine.


Everything was working fine, and today I tried to install the nomosaic package instead of the old censor pack. So I deleted the shaders precomp in bin and replaced it by the old one, and now everything green, the neighborhood screen, the gardens, is either red, or black. Inside is fine. Cas is fine.
I reinstalled my game, reloaded patched razor patched, keeping my households, and it is the same, even entering Riverview for the first time.
I'd be grateful for any ideas.


I've seen someone with this issue already. It happened when they had a hack in the wrong folder. Specifically, they put AwesomeMod into the wrong folder.

Don't know if this is the right place to post, but I'm also having problem with the installation. Only that my game is the official one: I got it yesterday. Tried to install it and it poped up a message of "cyclic redundancy check". I hited ignore button several times. It took hours but never installed. So I thought the problem was the disc. I went to the store today to change it. Tried again to install, but the same message oped up again. So any ideas of what may be causing this?
I have no idea about what to do if it won't even finish the install. Have you tried a Manual install of the game?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Aracelis on 2009 June 06, 23:39:36
Sorrym but what do you mean by manual install?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 07, 00:20:29
Sorrym but what do you mean by manual install?
It is pulling all of the files to your hard drive and then installing your game from there as opposed to letting the fines run from the disk. The link I'm giving is for The Sims 2, but it works for any game. Just ignore the steps for multiple disks, the original Sims 2 base game had 4 cds.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2003545_sims2-manual-install.html


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ZiggyDoodle on 2009 June 07, 00:23:56
The cycle redundancy problem is one of the hot technical topics at EAxis:  http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/947.page (http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/947.page)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Indiasong on 2009 June 07, 00:24:41
No, I can't put the mod in the game or it won't load. And the others are in the Mod folder. nozzz nointro and nomosaic.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 07, 00:27:31
No, I can't put the mod in the game or it won't load. And the others are in the Mod folder. nozzz nointro and nomosaic.


So try removing them. When something goes wrong with the game, remove custom to ensure that it is not custom, thus narrowing down what exactly your problem could be.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Indiasong on 2009 June 07, 00:40:23
Did that too.
Edit: it's the framework.
I'm cursed!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Aracelis on 2009 June 07, 00:50:04
The cycle redundancy problem is one of the hot technical topics at EAxis:  http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/947.page (http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/947.page)

Thanks for the link. But when I try to access it it says I don't have enough priviledges to visualize it. I was not suppose to be out of bed today :rolleyes


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ZiggyDoodle on 2009 June 07, 01:09:36
Typical of EAxis - here's the first page of 12. 

Quote
If you are experiencing a cyclic redundancy check error, we'd like you to do the following so we can keep the number of threads on that issue to a minimum:

*Run the Windows Defragmenter software on your system. Fragmented hard disk space can cause this error.

*CRC errors may also be caused by a hard disk or DVD drive failing or being unable to write consistent data.

If you have run the Defragmenter software and are continuing to experience this error, please contact your system's manufacturer for further diagnostics.

Update:
It appears that in some cases, users that are using the EA download Manager version of The Sims 3 may experience this error if their download is paused. To resolve this issue, perform the following steps:

*Log in to the EADM.
*Click on the red x in the upper right part of the Sims 3 download to clear the EADM cache.
*Re-download The Sims 3; do not pause the download.

Update 2 (6/4/09):
There is a new FAQ addressing this issue:
https://easims.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easims.cfg/php...user/std_adp.php?p_faqid=22234

We understand that this has become a very frustrating issue for many simmers that are eager to play the game, and as more information or solutions become available, we will post them here in the Support forum. Thank you all for your patience!
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 06/04/09 11:00 PM

I'll be installing TS3 Monday.  Am debating whether to first buy a bottle of aspirin or a bottle of booze.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Aracelis on 2009 June 07, 02:16:01
Thank you, ZiggyDoodle! I don't think my DVD drive is causing this, because I've already tested it with another game and it installed just fine. Somebody at N99 told me this could be caused by an un compatibility between my DVD drive and dye on disc (dows this make any sense to you, because it's chinese to me, I'm far from being a computer wizard (lol). And that I should update the firmware of the drive. So now, my question is: where do I find the model of the DVD drive, since I have this PC for 4 years now, and can't remember?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: ZiggyDoodle on 2009 June 07, 02:40:34
Aracelis, I'm presuming you're running Windoze.   Go into your control panel, click "system," then "hardware," then "device manager."  You should see a listing for  DVD/CD-ROM drives  - open that icon and you'll see the brand(s) you have installed.

I don't know why you couldn't access the TS3 site - not sure if you have to register to read the babbling, but you might try that as there were 11 other pages on the issue you're having.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Aracelis on 2009 June 07, 02:58:50
Aracelis, I'm presuming you're running Windoze.   Go into your control panel, click "system," then "hardware," then "device manager."  You should see a listing for  DVD/CD-ROM drives  - open that icon and you'll see the brand(s) you have installed.

Thanks, I did that, and found updates: http://tdb.rpc1.org/#GSA4163B

Can you tell me if it's safe to run? Tks.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Chezzie on 2009 June 07, 03:01:50
Can someone help me please? I pretty new to the whole torrent thing.  
I downloaded the razor1911 version but there is no crack file, there is only a razor1911 folder that has the keygen in it but that's it.  
The .nfo says 1. install 2. run keygen 3. play  there is no mention of a crack file.  I thought I needed one, and if i do can someone tell me where to get it.  The game installed fine but i haven't tried to run it yet w/o the crack

I'm such noob  :-[


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kiki on 2009 June 07, 03:17:27
Am debating whether to first buy a bottle of aspirin or a bottle of booze.

Double your fun Ziggy: buy both. ;)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 07, 03:21:07
Can someone help me please? I pretty new to the whole torrent thing.  
I downloaded the razor1911 version but there is no crack file, there is only a razor1911 folder that has the keygen in it but that's it.  
The .nfo says 1. install 2. run keygen 3. play  there is no mention of a crack file.  I thought I needed one, and if i do can someone tell me where to get it.  The game installed fine but i haven't tried to run it yet w/o the crack

I'm such noob  :-[

Try they link in my Sig. There is a no-cd crack and a keygen that I uploaded for someone.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Budgie on 2009 June 08, 13:50:32
Does anyone else have a problem with the launcher saying the wrong game version? I have the razor version, which I patched up to 1.632, but whenever I want to install the downloads I got, the launcher tells me I have version 1.631, and to update my game. I ran the patch thing over again, and it tells me that the game is already updated. Is there any way to fix it?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 08, 22:43:14
Does anyone else have a problem with the launcher saying the wrong game version? I have the razor version, which I patched up to 1.632, but whenever I want to install the downloads I got, the launcher tells me I have version 1.631, and to update my game. I ran the patch thing over again, and it tells me that the game is already updated. Is there any way to fix it?

Yeah, don't let the thing dial out. Firewall it in.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: eaglezero on 2009 June 09, 09:19:13
My game only runs for 10 - 20 minutes before my computer shuts down. I thiiiink it might be an overheating problem but I have no idea how I would tell if that's actually the case, or fix it if it were. My computer has never done this before, so I'm a bit confused about it. The game runs perfectly fine up until the computer turns off. I have the Razor copy, patched, running from a no-cd crack, and my computer exceeds minimum specifications. It's died all five times I've tried playing since install (my poor sim has only managed to live one sim day so far). Any suggestions?

eta: Just tried it again and this time it lasted less than five minutes. Argh annoying.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: kennyinbmore on 2009 June 09, 11:57:35
My game only runs for 10 - 20 minutes before my computer shuts down. I thiiiink it might be an overheating problem but I have no idea how I would tell if that's actually the case, or fix it if it were. My computer has never done this before, so I'm a bit confused about it. The game runs perfectly fine up until the computer turns off. I have the Razor copy, patched, running from a no-cd crack, and my computer exceeds minimum specifications. It's died all five times I've tried playing since install (my poor sim has only managed to live one sim day so far). Any suggestions?

eta: Just tried it again and this time it lasted less than five minutes. Argh annoying.

If you're comfortable going inside your computer, open the case. Check and make sure your fans are running. If they are leave the cover off and see how long it runs. If it runs without shutting down then you most likey have a overheating problem and need to buy a case fan


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: eaglezero on 2009 June 09, 12:43:20
If you're comfortable going inside your computer, open the case. Check and make sure your fans are running. If they are leave the cover off and see how long it runs. If it runs without shutting down then you most likey have a overheating problem and need to buy a case fan

I tried that before, but I tried it again (and had been REALLY cranking the air conditioner so the room was ~15F less than it had been before, in case that would make a difference), but it lasted around the same amount of time. I'm wondering if it's a power supply issue, but I don't understand why it would ONLY come up when I play TS3, not TS2 or when I'm video editing or any other supposedly intensive task.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jeedai on 2009 June 09, 20:19:06
My game only runs for 10 - 20 minutes before my computer shuts down. I thiiiink it might be an overheating problem but I have no idea how I would tell if that's actually the case, or fix it if it were. My computer has never done this before, so I'm a bit confused about it. The game runs perfectly fine up until the computer turns off. I have the Razor copy, patched, running from a no-cd crack, and my computer exceeds minimum specifications. It's died all five times I've tried playing since install (my poor sim has only managed to live one sim day so far). Any suggestions?

eta: Just tried it again and this time it lasted less than five minutes. Argh annoying.

I'm having the same problem. I started off with Reloaded, and it would overheat after about an hour... applied the framerate limiter from this thread (http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,15092.0.html) and overheating issues stopped. Upgraded to Razor and installed Store crap, and now my game goes less than five minutes before exploding.

CanYouRunIt says I'm way above min. specs and I was able to run Reloaded just fine, after dealing with FPS. I've tried running the FPS limiter again and pulling graphics down to their very lowest, but apparently it's not having any effect. I'm able to play games like Fallout 3 and Oblivion without my computer going nuts, so I really don't know what the deal is here. I don't have any mods, and I've tried deleting caches on the off chance that something would work, but nothing has. Would the retail copy act less stupid, do you think? I'd planned on buying it this week, but after the game started to act up I didn't want to waste $50 on something I wouldn't be able to play.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Aracelis on 2009 June 09, 22:26:39
Just to let you know that the only way I got the game installed was buying a new DVD player  :'(

Now, please, can I count on you once more to explain how I could play without the DVD in the drive?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 09, 23:20:27
Just to let you know that the only way I got the game installed was buying a new DVD player  :'(

Now, please, can I count on you once more to explain how I could play without the DVD in the drive?

You didn't have any other computers that you could have networked to? You could have installed it from their pc to yours through their drive ....assuming that theirs read it of course.
You get a no-cd crack. There is one in my sig, or you can use the AwesomeMod which will also remove the cd necessity.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: McCrea on 2009 June 09, 23:41:34
Wow, the fear.  Just a gripe.  I played several days. Reinstalled after release and enjoyed awesomeless mods for a couple days.  Very peachy.

Tried awesome.  Left / right / up / down, failed.  Failed to revert, so reinstalled.

Would not run after reinstall, black screen with windows hourglass for 10 seconds, then desktop.  Didn't bother to troubleshoot much, since I didn't do clean uninstall, but then again, my first reinstall was flawless while quick and dirty. Cleaned now, I hope.  Now reinstalling.    

Never had so much trouble installing a game that I didn't have any trouble installing.  *sigh*

-----  [Morri already answered, nonetheless...]

Now, please, can I count on you once more to explain how I could play without the DVD in the drive?

A) run a NoCD crack (fixed exe)
or
B) mount a fixed image

I believe both are at gamecopyworld and everywhere.  
Most people do A, probably because B requires tool.  


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: eaglezero on 2009 June 10, 01:38:05
I'm having the same problem. I started off with Reloaded, and it would overheat after about an hour... applied the framerate limiter from this thread (http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php/topic,15092.0.html) and overheating issues stopped. Upgraded to Razor and installed Store crap, and now my game goes less than five minutes before exploding.

Thanks for pointing me to that thread. I hadn't considered that it could be a framerate issue. I'm still not sure that's the only thing that's going on, but after limiting the framerates I was able to play for a whole two hours, which seems like an epic amount of time after only being able to go five minutes. But then it shut down, right when I had stopped saving every few minutes. Huh.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: spookymuffin on 2009 June 10, 18:09:48
I'm running with a pair of Nvidia 8800 GTS cards (1.4gb of memory between them) and I've been having crashes that freeze up my whole computer. The screen freezes (or sometimes flashes like a fucking strobe-light) and the mouse/keyboard become totally non-responsive leaving me with no other option that to turn off my computer manually. I've been looking around on the internet and found a few other people who have been having the same problem, they're all using Nvidia 8 series cards.

Basically, I'm wondering if this could be fixed in a future patch for the game or by a future driver update by Nvidia? Otherwise I'll just have to give up on TS3 or get myself a new pair of video cards.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Aracelis on 2009 June 11, 00:16:55
You didn't have any other computers that you could have networked to? You could have installed it from their pc to yours through their drive ....assuming that theirs read it of course.
You get a no-cd crack. There is one in my sig, or you can use the AwesomeMod which will also remove the cd necessity.

I only have one PC at home. I tested the disc in my sister's computer and it was ok, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to play in my computer afterwards, if I had just installed manually. No big deal, it was not that expensive and I was so frustrated at the time that I just wanted to put an end to it. :).

And tks for the info on the no-cd thing! :D


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Argon on 2009 June 11, 01:28:59
The installer screwed my file system, the same folder shows up twice (TS3 installed in folder on the right, with references to everything else that's there but everything else can only be accessed by the "Electronic Arts" on the left). I've tried the stupid microsoft check disk thing and it doesn't correct it. Any ideas?
(http://i44.tinypic.com/wiq6w0.jpg)


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: moondance on 2009 June 11, 06:27:17
The installer screwed my file system, the same folder shows up twice (TS3 installed in folder on the right, with references to everything else that's there but everything else can only be accessed by the "Electronic Arts" on the left). I've tried the stupid microsoft check disk thing and it doesn't correct it. Any ideas?

I had a similar problem a while back (on Vista) and doing a system restore fixed it. I'm not sure why it fixed it, but it did.  Registry thing, maybe.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LMahesa on 2009 June 11, 06:57:02
I've tried the stupid microsoft check disk thing and it doesn't correct it. Any ideas?

Try renaming them both, then merge the contents.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Argon on 2009 June 11, 19:51:00
I had a similar problem a while back (on Vista) and doing a system restore fixed it. I'm not sure why it fixed it, but it did.  Registry thing, maybe.

System Restore only covers system files or extra folders you define, so that wouldn't help in this case.

Try renaming them both, then merge the contents.

I get a file could not be found error when trying to rename the duplicate. I did manage to move the TS3 files out of there so I can at least get the game to load now, but now I'm left with a folder that says it's zero bytes but can't be deleted because it's "not empty".


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jsader on 2009 June 11, 20:10:12
Teels posted this back on page 14:

Quote
I downloaded the Razor version (from seedgames) , and followed intructions I gathered from this thread. The program started up and loaded, but when it got to the neighborhood window, it said EA didn't recognize the disk as valid (something along those lines).

I'm having the same issue.  Does this have anything to do with modifying the TS3.exe, aka no-cd crack?  I've tried using morriganrant's crack, but obviously just pasting over the old .exe file doesn't work.

I know I'm missing something somewhere, just don't know what, exactly.



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Chain_Reaction on 2009 June 11, 23:33:55

I'm having the same issue.  Does this have anything to do with modifying the TS3.exe, aka no-cd crack?  I've tried using morriganrant's crack, but obviously just pasting over the old .exe file doesn't work.


It should, worked fine for me... though I didn't use morriganrant's crack. Try installing Awesome mod with the no cd enabled if you can't get the new exe to work.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LMahesa on 2009 June 12, 04:27:26
I had a similar problem a while back (on Vista) and doing a system restore fixed it. I'm not sure why it fixed it, but it did.  Registry thing, maybe.

System Restore only covers system files or extra folders you define, so that wouldn't help in this case.

Horrible thing. Don't trust it.

Quote
Try renaming them both, then merge the contents.

I get a file could not be found error when trying to rename the duplicate. I did manage to move the TS3 files out of there so I can at least get the game to load now, but now I'm left with a folder that says it's zero bytes but can't be deleted because it's "not empty".

Try doing it via DOS/CMD.

CD C:\Program Files .... etc.
REN borked_folder die
RMDIR /S   die

If that fails, CD die, rinse and repeat.

There'll be a file in there somewhere with a dodgy character in the filename probably.

If deleting a file still fails, try ECHO FUCKING>die

Oh, and check the permissions if you're on an NTFS partition.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Argon on 2009 June 12, 06:52:52
Try doing it via DOS/CMD.

CD C:\Program Files .... etc.
REN borked_folder die
RMDIR /S   die

If that fails, CD die, rinse and repeat.

There'll be a file in there somewhere with a dodgy character in the filename probably.

If deleting a file still fails, try ECHO FUCKING>die

Oh, and check the permissions if you're on an NTFS partition.

"CD /D G:\Program Files\Electronic Arts" brings me to the real directory, not the invalid copy. You can't CD into the broken one, not because of an dodgy character but because the folder doesn't contain the "*" file (google testing if a folder exists using batch scripts if you don't know what I'm talking about).

I can rename the real one (Changed it to Electronic Arts2) but renaming (or trying to CD into) the second Electronic Arts that shows up in DIR says it can't find the path. RMDIR /S, same error. NTFS permissions can't be set because it's not a real file/folder, it's an invalid entry in the filesystem, Vista throws an error if you try. If you rename the real folder, the contents of the screwed one disappears.

Redirection doesn't work on folders, if you actually ran that you'd get a file called die.

I tried booting from an Ubuntu 9.04 livecd and was able to remove it that way.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: LMahesa on 2009 June 12, 07:31:01
Redirection doesn't work on folders, if you actually ran that you'd get a file called die.

I tried booting from an Ubuntu 9.04 livecd and was able to remove it that way.

Yeah, but sometimes folders get converted into files by rogue filesystem doctors and I was unsure of your level of commandline-fu. Anyway, nice one. Still, it would be nice to have a windows-only solution for future reference.

I've had this before, my solution was similar - I dropped into actual DOS and nuked it that way. My gentoo install was borked at the time.   :p


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: morriganrant on 2009 June 12, 14:37:16
Teels posted this back on page 14:

Quote
I downloaded the Razor version (from seedgames) , and followed intructions I gathered from this thread. The program started up and loaded, but when it got to the neighborhood window, it said EA didn't recognize the disk as valid (something along those lines).
I'm having the same issue.  Does this have anything to do with modifying the TS3.exe, aka no-cd crack?  I've tried using morriganrant's crack, but obviously just pasting over the old .exe file doesn't work.
I know I'm missing something somewhere, just don't know what, exactly.

Worked for me when I used it, but I'm using the AwesomeMod now. The Launcher does not work with the NO-cd. After backing up your original .exe, you have to overwrite it with the no-cd.exe, and then bypass the launcher by making a shortcut that goes straight to the TS3.exe.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Lonesome Dove on 2009 June 12, 18:40:22
I've been running fine until just recently when an option popped up for one of my Sims (user-created, not one of the premade Sims) to move in with someone she'd made friends with.  A married man, no less, the hussy! Anyway, I decided to go for it and see what happened. A screen came up asking if I wanted her to move out with furniture or without. I opted for the "with furniture" option.

Here's where it got weird. Only a few items went with her, like a painting she'd done and hung on the wall, and two of the bewitched gnomes she picked up in the mausoleum, and her bicycle (which she was out riding at the time). I think that's all. Everything else stayed, including her nice little garden.

I decided to play around with one of the premade families and I moved them into my Sim's old place. The wife has the gardening trait so she immediately gets to talk to the plants. Stupid, she should have to work for it at least a little while. Anyhow, they moved in and can interact with everything, but when they go to sleep the bed option says "Sleep in Lupe's bed" (Lupe is my old moved out Sim), as if they're guests. The toddler autonomously went to the dresser to plan her outfits. And twice now, when I've tried to plan outfits for the adults, on saving the game freezes and the "Saving" icon just keeps circling and circling. I left it for 20 minutes the last time and it never completed the save.

Is anyone else experiencing this kind of thing? Not just the saving freeze, but the move out with or without furniture bork?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 June 12, 18:51:28
The wife has the gardening trait so she immediately gets to talk to the plants. Stupid, she should have to work for it at least a little while.

Sounds fine to me.  If I move out of my house IRL, I will have to leave my garden behind for the use of the new residents.  So they inherit a garden?  Good for them.

Anyhow, they moved in and can interact with everything, but when they go to sleep the bed option says "Sleep in Lupe's bed" (Lupe is my old moved out Sim), as if they're guests. The toddler autonomously went to the dresser to plan her outfits. And twice now, when I've tried to plan outfits for the adults, on saving the game freezes and the "Saving" icon just keeps circling and circling. I left it for 20 minutes the last time and it never completed the save.

This sounds a bit weirder.  Almost like residual rubbish code left in some lots in TS2.  Could be a borked lot, or borked furniture.  What happens if you delete/sell the bed and buy a new one?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 June 12, 19:05:15

Here's where it got weird. Only a few items went with her, like a painting she'd done and hung on the wall, and two of the bewitched gnomes she picked up in the mausoleum, and her bicycle (which she was out riding at the time). I think that's all. Everything else stayed, including her nice little garden.


Did you look in the family inventory? (The third tab in Buy Mode).  I haven't tried it moving with furniture yet, but it was my understanding that the big stuff was to go to family inventory.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SnootCB on 2009 June 12, 19:34:23
I finally broke down and decided to try it.  I'm not sure how well it will work since my CPU speed is only 1.8GHz (with XP, and all other requirements are met).  Anyway, I got it all installed with daemon into its own virtual drive and I'm at the point of overwriting the TSLHost.dll and TS3.exe in the \Game\Bin folder.  Problem: it says it is "read only".  I tried unchecking "read only" under general properties on the Bin and Game folders but that didn't do a damn thing.  Have I done something wrong?  Is there a way to get the files overwritable?  Any help would be appreciated greatly.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: phyllis_p on 2009 June 12, 19:38:04
I finally broke down and decided to try it.  I'm not sure how well it will work since my CPU speed is only 1.8GHz (with XP, and all other requirements are met).  Anyway, I got it all installed with daemon into its own virtual drive and I'm at the point of overwriting the TSLHost.dll and TS3.exe in the \Game\Bin folder.  Problem: it says it is "read only".  I tried unchecking "read only" under general properties on the Bin and Game folders but that didn't do a damn thing.  Have I done something wrong?  Is there a way to get the files overwritable?  Any help would be appreciated greatly.

Me, I don't overwrite the exe.  I rename it and leave it there (in case I ever need it), and just copy in the new exe.  The dll, I've never messed with -- maybe that's something one only does when using daemon? -- but I can't imagine why you would need to overwrite instead of just delete/rename/move the old one and insert the new one.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SnootCB on 2009 June 12, 19:52:43
I finally broke down and decided to try it.  I'm not sure how well it will work since my CPU speed is only 1.8GHz (with XP, and all other requirements are met).  Anyway, I got it all installed with daemon into its own virtual drive and I'm at the point of overwriting the TSLHost.dll and TS3.exe in the \Game\Bin folder.  Problem: it says it is "read only".  I tried unchecking "read only" under general properties on the Bin and Game folders but that didn't do a damn thing.  Have I done something wrong?  Is there a way to get the files overwritable?  Any help would be appreciated greatly.

Me, I don't overwrite the exe.  I rename it and leave it there (in case I ever need it), and just copy in the new exe.  The dll, I've never messed with -- maybe that's something one only does when using daemon? -- but I can't imagine why you would need to overwrite instead of just delete/rename/move the old one and insert the new one.

Just following the instructions that came with the crack: "copy TS3.exe and TSLHost.dll from crack dir to install folder\Game\Bin (overwrite-replace)".  Anyway, I did try just adding the new files to the appropriate folder, and still no go-- I simply can't change anything about it.  I suspect it has something to do with daemon having mounted the ISO to a new drive (I think the entire drive is read-only), but I've only done this once before so I'm a bit lost now that the basic instruction have failed me.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Budgie on 2009 June 12, 19:55:02

Just following the instructions that came with the crack: "copy TS3.exe and TSLHost.dll from crack dir to install folder\Game\Bin (overwrite-replace)".  Anyway, I did try just adding the new files to the appropriate folder, and still no go-- I simply can't change anything about it.  I suspect it has something to do with daemon having mounted the ISO to a new drive (I think the entire drive is read-only), but I've only done this once before so I'm a bit lost now that the basic instruction have failed me.

I had the same problem, and I had to copy the folders to my desktop, then copy those to the program file....


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SnootCB on 2009 June 12, 20:11:57

Just following the instructions that came with the crack: "copy TS3.exe and TSLHost.dll from crack dir to install folder\Game\Bin (overwrite-replace)".  Anyway, I did try just adding the new files to the appropriate folder, and still no go-- I simply can't change anything about it.  I suspect it has something to do with daemon having mounted the ISO to a new drive (I think the entire drive is read-only), but I've only done this once before so I'm a bit lost now that the basic instruction have failed me.

I had the same problem, and I had to copy the folders to my desktop, then copy those to the program file....

I've tried copying the Bin folder to the desktop, adding the cracked files to it, and then adding it back to the Game folder, but still I get the message that it's read-only.  Is that what you mean?  Or perhaps I am missing something?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Roflganger on 2009 June 12, 20:24:37
I've tried copying the Bin folder to the desktop, adding the cracked files to it, and then adding it back to the Game folder, but still I get the message that it's read-only.  Is that what you mean?  Or perhaps I am missing something?

This may sound horribly obvious, but you are adding the cracked files to C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 etc., right?  Not the drive you have mounted with the image?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SnootCB on 2009 June 13, 00:09:54
I've tried copying the Bin folder to the desktop, adding the cracked files to it, and then adding it back to the Game folder, but still I get the message that it's read-only.  Is that what you mean?  Or perhaps I am missing something?

This may sound horribly obvious, but you are adding the cracked files to C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 etc., right?  Not the drive you have mounted with the image?

I am a fucking idiot.

Thank you.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Aracelis on 2009 June 13, 01:49:44
When using the awesome mod are we supposed to do anything with the .exe file to run the game with no cd, or the mod do the trick all by itself?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: SnootCB on 2009 June 13, 23:44:48
I finally broke down and decided to try it.  I'm not sure how well it will work since my CPU speed is only 1.8GHz (with XP, and all other requirements are met).

Just wanted to put it out there for anyone who might be wondering the same thing:

Meeting or beating all of the other system requirements seems to make up for the slightly lower than recommended CPU speed.  The game doesn't run incredibly fast (I do get a lot of lag sometimes, especially moving from close-up to far-out views), but I haven't had any crashing issues and the graphics are set to medium/high.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Alex on 2009 June 14, 00:04:36
Is anyone else finding that saving the game takes about 5-10 actual minutes?

I swear it didn't take this long yesterday, when I fired up the game after installed it. But then again, that was when Sunset Valley in my game actually appeared normal; before it mysteriously split into two separate planes of existence making it practically unplayable.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: hidethe_cutlery on 2009 June 14, 01:21:13
Sims3_1.0.632.00002_from_1.0.631.00002.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/ls99bh28ij)

Sims3_1.0.632.00107_from_1.0.631.00107.exe (http://www.box.net/shared/mvx0kfdm8z)

The rar files are named slightly differently to that above, in case The Box is looking for any specific files. I'm probably just being paranoid, but hey.

I only saw the two patch files mentioned on MATY, not sure if there were more.

ETA: 1.0.631.00002 is for the DVD/RZR release.
1.0.631.00107 is for the Digital Download release of the game.
Cheers Kralore.
So, I'm a moron and a noob (beat you to it); these are to patch the reloaded version to a more recent one? 1.0.631.00002 for razor and 1.0.631.00107 digital download?
'Cause I was looking for the reloaded to razor patch on piratebay but there were a lot of crashing//failure issues but I would quite like to be able to use store things.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 June 14, 01:27:20
So, I'm a moron and a noob (beat you to it)

We actually prefer making our own judgements in these matters.  We are perfectly capable of judging your idiocy without your help.  It is also unnecessary, gratuitous, and idiotic to declare yourself an idiot when you may not be one.

Oh, look, a conundrum!


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: hidethe_cutlery on 2009 June 14, 01:31:49
So, I'm a moron and a noob (beat you to it)

We actually prefer making our own judgements in these matters.  We are perfectly capable of judging your idiocy without your help.  It is also unnecessary, gratuitous, and idiotic to declare yourself an idiot when you may not be one.

Oh, look, a conundrum!
Ok great.
Any input on my crack question?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Chain_Reaction on 2009 June 15, 10:55:55
Is anyone else finding that saving the game takes about 5-10 actual minutes?


No mine saves in about 30 seconds, though if I make extensive changes to the town, about a minute.


So, I'm a moron and a noob (beat you to it); these are to patch the reloaded version to a more recent one? 1.0.631.00002 for razor and 1.0.631.00107 digital download?
'Cause I was looking for the reloaded to razor patch on piratebay but there were a lot of crashing//failure issues but I would quite like to be able to use store things.

Those are EA patches that seem to have no real purpose, not what you are looking for. You can use store items with the reloaded release by the way.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: hidethe_cutlery on 2009 June 15, 12:31:46
Oh thanks, I installed the store stuff anyway, but I'd like to be able to use Awesomemod and whatnot with my game.
I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet when temptation proves too much and cross all my appendages hoping my game doesn't implode.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: jolrei on 2009 June 15, 13:26:02
Oh thanks, I installed the store stuff anyway, but I'd like to be able to use Awesomemod and whatnot with my game.
I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet when temptation proves too much and cross all my appendages hoping my game doesn't implode.

Were you to read the thread, you would find that there is a reloaded-Razor patch around somewhere.  This would upgrade your game to the final version (Razor).  There is also a Razor crackfix that would provide you with the no-cd crack for the final version.  The Awesomemod also includes a no-cd option.

Torrents of these things have been reported to be somewhat slow.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: hidethe_cutlery on 2009 June 15, 14:35:29
Were you to read my original post, you would find that I am fully aware of this patch, seeing as that's what my question was regarding.
Were you to read my second post, you would find that I am hesitant in downloading the patch due to reported implosion.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Georgette on 2009 June 15, 16:58:23
I hope I'm posting this in the right place, and I've checked the thread and I don't think anyone else has raised this issue.

I've installed the game on my Mac (yeah I've got Leopard and all that) and the game just freezes when I attempt to open it.

So, I've tried to install it on my PC but I've got an I/O Device error. Is this fixable?  ???


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Marhis on 2009 June 15, 17:53:47
No idea about the PC, but on Mac... first, it's an Intel-based Mac, right?
Second; it could be a difficulty to read from the drive (securomwhatever check, etc.) You could try with a no-dvd crack and see if it starts.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Georgette on 2009 June 15, 18:06:02
No idea about the PC, but on Mac... first, it's an Intel-based Mac, right?
Second; it could be a difficulty to read from the drive (securomwhatever check, etc.) You could try with a no-dvd crack and see if it starts.

2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. I have no idea what that means...I'm awful with computers.




Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: anemiclampshade on 2009 June 20, 20:08:03
Hey guys, nooblet here. So every time I go to use the Sims 3, my laptop bluescreens. I did just max out the graphics settings right before the bluescreening started, and so I figure that has something to do with it, but now that it bluescreens while loading the Sims 3, there's no way for me to change the graphics settings back. So, what's the best way to go about this? Should I just abandon hope and reinstall it, or is there something else I can do?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: reese on 2009 June 20, 20:38:01
Edit: I'm a moron who somehow managed to delete her SunsetValley.objectCache file. I didn't even realize I'd gone into that folder, but hey. I guess I'll leave this up for anyone else who is a dumdum.

I've skimmed through this thread a few times and I haven't seen this yet, but forgive me if I've missed something.

I've been playing with no problems for quite some time, and today I installed a bunch of custom content using delphy's installer. Things were fine. Then, I tried to install Riverview, using the damned Launcher, and it just never installed. I wanted to check, even though I couldn't find the files anywhere on my computer, so I loaded the game up. Riverview is definitely -not- installed, but I got a nice gift -  I have two games, and both of them look like this now:

(http://raeokay.com/Screenshot-19.jpg)

My neighbourhood seems to be underneath its own terrain. Whether it's at a house or the map view. I'm also having problems with rendering furniture and sims (as in, they either just don't render or they take a long time to do so). I'm awfully confused, does anyone have any ideas?


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: T-man on 2009 June 21, 01:54:47
I obtained the pre-Razor version, installed, cracked, and loaded. It loaded fine, but I tried to go into CAS. Froze computer, needed reboot. Tried again. BOOM. Third time crashed on trying to load a pre-made. Is it a problem with my version, or computer?

Specs:
Windows XP
AMD Anthlon 64 Processor 3500+ 2.2GHz
1GB ram

I am getting the Razor version now. Please let it be a pre-build error


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: hidethe_cutlery on 2009 June 21, 03:10:25
I obtained the pre-Razor version, installed, cracked, and loaded. It loaded fine, but I tried to go into CAS. Froze computer, needed reboot. Tried again. BOOM. Third time crashed on trying to load a pre-made. Is it a problem with my version, or computer?

Specs:
Windows XP
AMD Anthlon 64 Processor 3500+ 2.2GHz
1GB ram

I am getting the Razor version now. Please let it be a pre-build error


http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/bonus/t/analysis2.tmpl?registration_option_id=8077 go there, see if you can run it. Your specs seem too low to me, but I'm not interested enough to look into it more.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: T-man on 2009 June 21, 03:58:20
Here's a picture of the results. I ran System Labs before I obtained it. http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3384/75055627.png (http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3384/75055627.png)



Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: McCrea on 2009 June 21, 20:38:19
Is it a problem with my version, or computer?
...
I ran System Labs ...

I not trying to brush you off, I'm just... tactless.

So what do you want?  Your specs are fine, any game version is fine.  Do you want the list of what the probablem might be?  Drivers, check all your drivers.  Anal retentive people like me will tell you to update your bios.  Don't forget the chipset.  Some components may have firmware you can update.  Cautious people will tell you not to update your BIOS, since, hey, if that goes wrong your computer won't start at all.  Of course, some updates can cause problems, so don't update unless you have a problem.  You do have a problem, right?  Have you spent a couple hours at WindowsUpdate recently?  Shut off all those unneeded services.  How's the CPU / GPU / XYZ temperature?  Voltages? Some would tell you to defrag, and I would tell them to shove it.  Scandisk actually fixes things though.  ET CETERA, ET ALIA, and SOWAN.

You probably get my drift; I just wanted to reply to your rather insubstantial last post.

P.S. Try turning each graphic setting to minimum (at the main menu)
P.P.S And most of us would try reinstalling at least once before any hard work as I suggested above.  After uninstalling, dont forget to manually delete the game directories (program files and my documents) for completeness's sake.
P.P.P.S. Just guessing at what you actually want to know.  You asked about your game version, so I'll clarify:  If you went and bought the retail version, I would fully expect that to crash on you too.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Nimrod on 2009 June 25, 00:23:08
Is anyone else finding that saving the game takes about 5-10 actual minutes?

I have this problem as well.  It started roughly two weeks ago, around week 90 in a town where I was doing lots of house hopping with no aging or storymode, at least to the best of awesomemodZ ability at the time.  Now, at 187 weeks or so, saving takes 8-12 minutes, as does switching to the main menu or even exiting the game.  Very frustrating.  I was at the point of saving, then ending the process rather than quit through the game.  This caused problems so I deleted the cache files at each start-up.  Now that awesomemodZ is so elaborate and deeply woven into the game, simply deleting the cache files won't do the trick and CTDs are all I get until I remove awesomemodZ, start-up, quit, reinstall awesomemodZ.  This is not an issue with fresher testing games, everything is back to normal with those.

Apparently that particular town and all its saves are borked, or perhaps this is an issue when the town reaches a certain number of weeks?  What I'd also like to know is if there are any tools in the works that will go through and fix whatever is wrong within the save file itself?  I sure as heck can't fix it manually.    

Update for anyone experiencing this problem, or otherwise might actually give a shit:

The game update helps with the save--return to main menu--game exit times, cutting the time in half, plus, the 50/50 chance of getting an error 12 on save is gone, as this hasn't happened in six saves thus far.  Before, the ratio was consistent; one good save, one bad and getting worse.  However the other problem, that wasn't mentioned in efforts to keep short, has been made worse.  My system has no 12 nor 1AM issues, but with these borked saves, there exists a constant lag throughout the sim day that was fairly bearable.  With the update, the lag has made those files nearly unusable.


Title: Re: Technical problems with THE HORROR: downloading, installing, and running it
Post by: Lonesome Dove on 2009 June 28, 00:25:45
All of a sudden, the friggin' launcher has stopped working. Connected, not connected, every time I try to install something from the EA store I just get a message saying the launcher has encountered a problem and needs to close. Back when I first installed the game I was able to get Riverview and the four furniture sets installed, but no hair or clothing.

I've already uninstalled and reinstalled the game to try to fix the launcher problem, but it's still the same. This is a full copy of the retail game I dl'd from Demonoid. I'm using the rzr1911 crack.

Thanks for help.