Zima
5th Mar 2012, 11:47 AM
I decided to share with you problems I had with the game and how I solved it. It is pretty much specific, but I know how frustrating it can be not knowing what causes "serious error" messages and being unable to load saves! So if anyone encounters this problem, I hope this thread helps.
So I had all of the EPs and SPs except for Fast Lane Stuff installed. The game was good until it started crashing upon loading. I decided to take steps to prevent this from happening (DEP exceptions and Compatibility Mode changes).
Now the game would not create any .backup folders which normally appear in the Saves folder for Sims 3. And I suppose it was linked to another major problem, which was the message "Serious error has occurred while loading..." popping up upon loading a save. So I could create a game but never load.
I decided to do a clean reinstall (uninstalling, removing leftover files and folders manually, using CCleaner to clean registry, removing installation information; then checking my hard discs, scanning with antivirus, doing defragment; turning off my internet and antivirus while installing the game and patching (according to release dates). I did all this 3 times in a row and still I would get the "Serious error" message upon loading saves, and still no .backup files were to be found.
Then I tried replacing the Meta.daa file in my current save with the same file from a fresh new game, deleting the 4 cache files, and took all other steps recommended for problems connected to being unable to load saves, but nothing helped.
I even tried playing the game with antivirus and background programs off, but still no difference.
Then I remembered I changed the compatibility mode for the Sims 3 game (did this on every Sims 3 .exe I had), because I read changing compatibility could prevent game from crashing, and some source on the internet(not on this site) recommended using Windows 95 compatibility mode! (I have 32-bit version of Win7 installed). So the solution to problem was to change the compatibility mode to Windows XP service pack 2 on every .exe file and the game works normally now.
The problem is I'm really no computer wiz, so all I could do is rely on sources on the internet, but apparently what works for some, can and will cause others' games to stop working properly. I'm still not sure what is the best Compatibility Mode for The Sims 3 game, but for now game appears to work fine while I run it as administrator in Win XP Service Pack 2.
I hope this thread helps those who encounter similar problems, and I would also like to know if there is some compatibility mode for this game that is supposed to be the best?
So I had all of the EPs and SPs except for Fast Lane Stuff installed. The game was good until it started crashing upon loading. I decided to take steps to prevent this from happening (DEP exceptions and Compatibility Mode changes).
Now the game would not create any .backup folders which normally appear in the Saves folder for Sims 3. And I suppose it was linked to another major problem, which was the message "Serious error has occurred while loading..." popping up upon loading a save. So I could create a game but never load.
I decided to do a clean reinstall (uninstalling, removing leftover files and folders manually, using CCleaner to clean registry, removing installation information; then checking my hard discs, scanning with antivirus, doing defragment; turning off my internet and antivirus while installing the game and patching (according to release dates). I did all this 3 times in a row and still I would get the "Serious error" message upon loading saves, and still no .backup files were to be found.
Then I tried replacing the Meta.daa file in my current save with the same file from a fresh new game, deleting the 4 cache files, and took all other steps recommended for problems connected to being unable to load saves, but nothing helped.
I even tried playing the game with antivirus and background programs off, but still no difference.
Then I remembered I changed the compatibility mode for the Sims 3 game (did this on every Sims 3 .exe I had), because I read changing compatibility could prevent game from crashing, and some source on the internet(not on this site) recommended using Windows 95 compatibility mode! (I have 32-bit version of Win7 installed). So the solution to problem was to change the compatibility mode to Windows XP service pack 2 on every .exe file and the game works normally now.
The problem is I'm really no computer wiz, so all I could do is rely on sources on the internet, but apparently what works for some, can and will cause others' games to stop working properly. I'm still not sure what is the best Compatibility Mode for The Sims 3 game, but for now game appears to work fine while I run it as administrator in Win XP Service Pack 2.
I hope this thread helps those who encounter similar problems, and I would also like to know if there is some compatibility mode for this game that is supposed to be the best?