My Big Problem

[Searcher64]

Main Problem: Installing custom content

I have read your wiki multiple times. I tried installing TS3 Install Helper Monkey program, and I received an error.
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Error opening file for writing:

\Game\bin\d3dx9_31.dll

Click Abort to stop the installation,
Retry to try again, or
Ignore to skip this file.
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I downloaded that exact file from a website called www.dll-files.com, and pasted it in my Sims 3 root folder. I then tried re-installing TS3 Install Helper Monkey program, and same error popped up.

I have Windows 7 64-bit. I tried looking at the FAQ for the solution to this error, but there was none. I tried looking for threads, and I only found one and that one was dead, and had no solution.
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Another problem was that resource file I got from your downloads forum section. I pasted it into my Sims 3 root folder, made the Mod/Packages folder and pasted my store items in there, and started Sims 3. It had a black screen for 6 seconds and then closed automatically with no error. I then tried pasting back my original resources file and it worked, but with no store items.
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Another thing I tried was trying to put my store items in my Documents and Settings etc., even though you said not to do it 3 times in the wiki. I then opened my Sims 3 launcher and tried downloading there, and of course, an error showed up saying critical system failure. AKA not working, as mentioned in the wiki.

Additional Information:

My store item formats are .Sims3Pack.

OFF TOPIC: Your forum is unbelievably confusing, and it literally took me 15 minutes finding this help forum, until I realized I could use google to find it. lol. :blink:

[Delphy]

Okay, a couple of things.

Firstly, if you get errors installing the dll file as part of the framework, it usually means you have UAC enabled and aren't using the UAC version of the Helper Monkey (there are two), and in fact there is an entire section of the thread dedicated to Access Denied error messages.

Secondly, downloading that file from an external website that is not Sims related achieves nothing - the particular version of that DLL file that is used for TS3 is specifically tailored to work only with TS3 - thus, downloading it externally wont work.

Thirdly, there is a link directly in the "Installing .package files" page (which is gotten to directly from the Help -> Sims 3 menu) that allows you to download the .dll file - and in fact explains the entire process of how to get your SIms 3 game setup manually quickly.

Fourthly, you obviously missed the entire bit at the bottom of the Help -> Sims 3 -> Main page that is allow about the Game Help Support Forums.

Everything you actually needed is accessed within (at most) 4 clicks, from any page of the site. In fact, had you actually read the game help FAQs, you could have quite easily fixed your own problem very easily. If you had actually "read the wiki multiple times" then you would have seen all the information on how to get that DLL file without having to google.

Fact is, this website is setup so that people fine the information quickly and easily, and I really don't think we can make it easier than 4 clicks, do you?

Fifthly, Sims3Pack files get installed via the Launcher - you can just double click the files to install them. Thats it.

[ellacharmed]

I have read your wiki multiple times. Hmm. maybe one more time might do the trick... ;) Game_Help:Installing_Sims_3_Package_Files That is the wiki page you meant, correct?

I tried installing TS3 Install Helper Monkey program, and I received an error.That is a UAC-related error and is explained in the HelperMonkey's thread Description which outlined fixes for it. All the issues you described below could have been prevented if you had followed steps mentioned there. All the pertinent information has also been added to the above-linked wiki page.

I downloaded that exact file from a website called ...Why do you need to go offsite when the file is linked in the Wiki you claimed to have read? Any other file provided by a non-Sims-related site will not work as the .dll file has been modified to specifically work with the game.

I have Windows 7 64-bit. I tried looking at the FAQ for the solution to this error, but there was none. I tried looking for threads, and I only found one and that one was dead, and had no solution.The solution is in the HelperMonkey download thread itself and the comments from other users and the Wiki page.

Another problem was that resource file I got from your downloads forum section. I pasted it into my Sims 3 root folder, made the Mod/Packages folder and pasted my store items in there, and started Sims 3. It had a black screen for 6 seconds and then closed automatically with no error. I then tried pasting back my original resources file and it worked, but with no store items.There's no mention at all in that Wiki page that .Sims3Packs go into /Mod/Packages folder? Only .packages go into /Mod/Packages folder (thus the folder name, see?)

Another thing I tried was trying to put my store items in my Documents and Settings etc., even though you said not to do it 3 times in the wiki. I then opened my Sims 3 launcher and tried downloading there, and of course, an error showed up saying critical system failure. AKA not working, as mentioned in the wiki.

Additional Information:

My store item formats are .Sims3Pack.
It was mentioned 4 times in the Wiki that .package files DO NOT go in Documents.
ALL store items are .Sims3Pack format and are meant to be installed via Launcher (or the .package extractors (http://www.simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Tutorials:TS3_Installation_Tutorials)). However, patch 1.8 broke Launcher and can no longer install Sims3Packs properly, unless you're one of a lucky few. Now, this is a genuine problem, if you had patched your game to 1.8. Read the sticky on the forum's first page, please, for a workaround to this.

Your forum is unbelievably confusing, and it literally took me 15 minutes finding this help forum, until I realized I could use google to find it. lol. :blink:It was deliberately designed this way so people read the Wikis first. :giggler: (Hmmm..maybe I could ask Delphy to hide it deeper or design check boxes so people will need to tick "yes, I have read and comprehend the wiki pages and tried all the steps" clause :lol: ).

[Searcher64]

Well, I read some new stuff I hadn't read in the wiki. I downloaded some sims 3 store content download managers, and it worked. But that had some problems too. I then started up my sims 3, and an error popped up.
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Unable to start game

Service initialization failed (0x02957b48)
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I tried replacing my files with my original ones that the installations patched, but that didn't help..

Also, I don't see any threads/FAQ/wikis on HelperMonkey..link please? This forum is extraordinarily confusing...(no offence :P)

[Canoodle]

The answer to that is in the stickies you didn't read. The CC missing one has information on the broken launcher after patching. You will need to bypass it.

[Searcher64]

Well, here's the thing, my game isn't version 1.8/2.3.

I'll just reinstall the game, see if that solves anything.

[ellacharmed]

What versions *do* you have?
The Launcher issues are spreading? It is no longer confined to the 1.8/2.3 versions?
The HelperMonkey link is in the Wiki link in post#3.