Can my Library be a problem?

[tomatohead1]

Sorry this is probably a silly question but I did a clean reinstall but added back my library as I didn't want to start my family again - I'm still crashing to desktop or getting error code 12. Is it likely that my family from the library are causing this? God I hope not I will grieve for them if I have to start a new family :cry:

[whiterider]

Try removing the Library temporarily. Do you still get crashes?

[tomatohead1]

Hi yes still crashes, I am getting so sick of this - just want to play! I am thinking about just installing the base game - does anyone know if I should patch it or just play it without patching please?

[werismyki]

Do you just have the base game? Not World Adventures or High End Loft Stuff?
What is your current game version? Do you have any Custom Content installed?
Did you have any installed before you did the "Clean Install"?

[tomatohead1]

Hi Werismyki, I did have WA, HELS and CC. I took out CC and followed the manual patching instructions but still ran into the same issues. I have tonight done the millionth reinstall but only base game and latest patch. I have added CC back in and been able to save so far (hooray!). Do you think it would be a risk to try and retrieve my family from the previous library?

I might actually sleep tonight seeing as the last two weeks I've been sitting up all night searching for solutions - silly really for something that is for fun and relaxation but has caused huge stress lol!

[werismyki]

the problem with pulling a family from the library is depending on what version you were playing when you saved them, I think.
You may run into problems if the family was saved with version 3.1 and you are now only at 1.11 or something along that line.

[whiterider]

Can you describe the crashes? When do they happen? Are there ever any error messages? Do things look weird after the crash? When did they start?

How, exactly, did you uninstall?

[tomatohead1]

Hi Whiterider. I was getting error code 12, occasionally 13 and other times it would be a crash to desktop with no dialogue.

I unistalled using the game unistaller and manually did the registry.

I had noticed that my save files had got massive (144mb) and that they were extra saves of egypt, China and France(package and nhd) even if I had not been there.

I started playing at the end of March and things were ok up untill about 2 weeks ago. I didn't notice things looking any different after the crashes. I did have awesome mod but didn't put it back after the first reinstall. I also have CC so thought this could be the problem but still experienced it without the CC.

Werismyki - yes my family would have been saved on a later version. Gutted - is there no magic I can perform to get them back!!!

Thanks for your replies

[ellacharmed]

The crashes only occur during saving?
You don't get crashing otherwise in regular gameplay, while in CAS, or during loading, etc?

What value is the "High Detail Lot" in options set to?

[tomatohead1]

I have had some crashes during gameplay but the majority were during saving. I have played with settings on default but did turn them down when I started crashing - it didn't make any difference.

[ellacharmed]

In order to better solve your problem, please go through the following as listed below:

General - Post System Specs
We need more information before we can help with your issue. Please post your system specs - instructions on finding them are here: Game Help:System Specs.

If it is not specifically asked, please provide the Quick summary only.

It may be that the file has gotten too big for the amount of RAM you have to handle it cleanly, so lets look at hardware.

What patch version are you running at the moment?
And are you currently running base game vanilla ie no CC at all (in both .package and .sims3pack format)?
And the saving crashes always happen, regardless if WA or HELS is installed or not?
After you uninstalled WA and HELS, the file you tried to save that crashed was a game that you started with WA + HELS installed?
Have you tested saving a new game after few hours of gameplay with CC in?


On occasion you might be asked to do a long FAQ - please make sure you do all the steps and don't just skip over them. You'll often find that these long FAQs have all the details you need. If nothing in the above FAQs fixes your problem you may post again detailing exactly which you have done and which steps failed.

[tomatohead1]

==System==

* Operating System: Microsoft xp Professional (5.1, build 2600)Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100216-1514)
* System Manufacturer Supermicro
* System Model X7DWA
* Processor: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5420 @ 2.50GHz (8 CPUs)
* Memory: 3070MB RAM
* Page File: 1032MB used, 3922MB available
* DirectX Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode


==Display==

* Name: NVIDIA Quadro FX 1700
* Manufacturer: NVIDIA
* Chip Type: Quadro FX 1700
* Approx. Total Memory: 512.0 MB

* Main Driver: nv4_disp.dll
* Version: 6.14.0011.8250 (English)
* Driver Date: 3/28/2009 00:03:00, 6186880 bytes


==Sound==

* Description: C-Media USB Audio
* Driver Name: usbaudio.sys
* Driver Version: 5.01.2600.5512 (English)
* Date: 4/14/2008 00:15:14, 60032 bytes


==Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives==

* Drive: C:
* Free Space: 117.6 GB
* Total Space: 239.4 GB
* File System: NTFS
* Model: WDC WD2500YS-01SHB1


I was running base,hels and WA on all the latest patches tried with and without cc same issues whether with or without

Now have installed base game only(latest patch) and CC and not had any issues (yet)
Haven't had crashes or error codes yet with the above but haven't run for few hours without saving.

Not really enjoying playing it at the moment without my family or earlier saves!

[ellacharmed]

I see the OS has constrained RAM options to 3GB, but from this supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon1333/5400/X7DWA-N (http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon1333/5400/X7DWA-N.cfm) product page, it states Memory must be populated in pairsIt's not stated which revision of the motherboard version you have and if the above is applicable to yours.
So, if new games still crash upon saving, I would suggest removing one RAM stick if your RAM combo is 3x1GB (I don't think there is a 2x1.5GB, is there?), and test with 2GB to see if there's any difference?

While, we're talking hardware, the graphics driver is over a year old. Nvidia has released version 197.59 just recently - you might want to update.

From posts in various forums, I read that saving crashes are expected once the main neighborhood file (eg Sunset Valley_*.nhd) grows beyond 50MB (on average), so you might want to get mods/hacks to periodically prune off townies, the homeless, derelict vehicles, etc, if you don't already play with such.

You may also want to read this (http://www.the-isz.com/theisz/index.php?showtopic=5502&pid=108798&st=0&#entry108798) and Twallan's thread on the mod itself regarding using the Porter to export your Lots and Households safely.

[tomatohead1]

Thanks ellacharm, I have updated my driver now.

I am quite hopeful that I can restore my family with the porter (if the errors are related to file size). I have downloaded it but now what do I do? Sorry for being ignorant but before starting this game I didn't have knowledge of all this- I thought I was just starting a game but now it seems I have begun a crash course in programming lol!! I wonder do EA give you some sort of computer qualification if you get the game running??!

[ellacharmed]

Your questions are most likely already asked and answered on the forum where you download it from. ;)
Questions on how to use the mod has to be posted on the modder's website as creators support their own work.
In any case, Twallan always include a text file manual of sorts.

Oh yeah! we're all now holding Doctorates in Simming technology. :lol:

[tomatohead1]

LOL

I couldn't see the info - I'll just go and have another look. My test with just base game and CC added back in has been fine - I was trying to see if it behaved the same and was therefore some item that I'd placed in but apparently not.

I hope I can get it working with your solution as I miss my familiy! Thanks again :)