Recipe issue

[FreezerBunny]

Hello! So I have this sim. She is about level 7 or 8 in cooking. But, she dosen't get any new recipes! For breakfast, she can only make cereal and instant meal. I don't know about dinner or lunch though.

She lives in an apartment in Desiderta Valley (or whatever the freetime town is called). Should I move her in and out of her apartment? I don't want to do it unless I know it might help, because I spent over three hours decorating her apartment.

Help?

[Mootilda]

Try this:
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Game_Problem

[FreezerBunny]

Try this:
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Game_Problem

Oh, looks like I'll have to delete my files after all. I was literally staring at them for an hour yesterday, willing myself to delete them. But I was too scared.

So yeah. Backing up and deleting files now. Wish me luck :cry:

[sushigal007]

Why delete them? You can just move them.
Also, does she have a proper over and a big fridge? Is the fridge fully stocked? Those can affect what recipes you can cook.

[Darby]

Oh, looks like I'll have to delete my files after all.

Delete what files? And as sushigal asked, why not simply move them? Unless you're talking about cache files, there's absolutely no reason to delete any files (Downloads, the whole The Sims 2 folder, whatever) when you can simply pull them to your desktop temporarily while you conduct whatever tests you need to conduct.

[FreezerBunny]

Why delete them? You can just move them.
Also, does she have a proper over and a big fridge? Is the fridge fully stocked? Those can affect what recipes you can cook.

Yup, she has a top notch fridge and oven. I also tried restocking the fridge. And I'm most likely deleting them because I have another problem that I'm pretty sure can't be fixed (I have a thread about them here: http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=475771).

[FreezerBunny]

Delete what files? And as sushigal asked, why not simply move them? Unless you're talking about cache files, there's absolutely no reason to delete any files (Downloads, the whole The Sims 2 folder, whatever) when you can simply pull them to your desktop temporarily while you conduct whatever tests you need to conduct.

I probably need to delete my files because my neighborhoods have vanished (more info here: http://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=475771), and I'm not sure if that can be fixed. I got Freetime + Uni about a week or two ago, which was when all my neighborhoods disappeared except the freetime one. So all the families that are important to me were in the disappeared neighborhoods.

[sushigal007]

Well I'm still not seeing how your custom content could make your neighbourhoods disappear and I personally would stick it all on an external hard drive to be added back once the game was functioning properly because so many creators and their sites have vanished, taking their downloads with them. But if you really want to delete it all and start afresh, go for it.

[Darby]

If it is indeed your Downloads folder you're talking about deleting, that's waaaaay overkill.

First of all, you don't seem to have tested enough to confirm that you have a CC problem. http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Game_Problem-Test_Without_Custom_Content

Second, even if you do, finding the problem file and removing it is the thing to do, not toss the whole batch. http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Finding_Problem_Custom_Content

You can delete everything and start over if you really want to, of course, but as sushigal points out, you may find it difficult or impossible to find certain favorite items with so many Sims 2 sites having been taken down these last couple years.

Personally, I could no more delete my Downloads folder than I could throw away a bag of gems. Even when I someday stop playing, I'll probably keep at least one copy of all my Downloads in case my future grandkids want to play that crazy old PC game Grandma used to be obsessed with. ;)

[FreezerBunny]

Well I'm still not seeing how your custom content could make your neighbourhoods disappear and I personally would stick it all on an external hard drive to be added back once the game was functioning properly because so many creators and their sites have vanished, taking their downloads with them. But if you really want to delete it all and start afresh, go for it.

I don't have any CC right now. My computer refuses to download a file extracter. I'll have to sit down and figure out how to install one, but until now I'm CC free, sadly.

[FreezerBunny]

If it is indeed your Downloads folder you're talking about deleting, that's waaaaay overkill.

First of all, you don't seem to have tested enough to confirm that you have a CC problem. http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Game_Problem-Test_Without_Custom_Content

Second, even if you do, finding the problem file and removing it is the thing to do, not toss the whole batch. http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Finding_Problem_Custom_Content

You can delete everything and start over if you really want to, of course, but as sushigal points out, you may find it difficult or impossible to find certain favorite items with so many Sims 2 sites having been taken down these last couple years.

Personally, I could no more delete my Downloads folder than I could throw away a bag of gems. Even when I someday stop playing, I'll probably keep at least one copy of all my Downloads in case my future grandkids want to play that crazy old PC game Grandma used to be obsessed with. ;)


I don't have any CC right now. My computer refuses to download a file extracter. I'll have to sit down and figure out how to install one, but until now I'm CC free, sadly.

BTW, do you think you could email me some of your downloads? I am having a hard time finding TS2 CC for when I get an extracter to work.

[Darby]

So I'm back to wondering what files you're talking about deleting, and why it's so hard to do so if you made a backup first? I figure you must be talking about your The Sims 2 folder, but again, if it's backed up, what's to worry about?

Anyway, doesn't matter. If you're following all the directions in the Game Problem FAQ, you're almost certain to learn something about why your game is acting wonky.

Although, if the only issue you're having is that one sim isn't accessing certain recipes, have you tried simply resetting that one sim? Easy procedure. Delete her with the hand tool while in Buy Mode, SAVE, exit the lot, then re-enter the lot. She'll be standing near the mailbox, and if the problem was that she was glitched, that will likely have fixed her. Moving her out, which you're understandably not wanting to do, is another way to reset a sim, but deleting is less drastic and often all that's needed.

It would be a waste of your time to pick through all my downloads without knowing whether or not our taste in CC runs along the same lines. Better to find out why your computer won't let you download and install at least one of the many file extractors available like WinRAR or 7UP.

As for not being able to find CC, that's just plain ridiculous. Have you seen the Downloads section here at MTS? There's more here alone than you could possibly use, and tons more on many many other sites. Our caution to you about deleting CC is that finding specific items you've had before and want to re-find could be quite difficult due to the large number of CC sites that are no longer around. But if you're starting fresh, there are still copious amounts of excellent Sims 2 CC still available, with new stuff being made all the time.

[Mootilda]

FreezerBunny does mention that she intends to backup before deleting, so it should be OK (assuming that the entire save game is backed up).

[FreezerBunny]

So I'm back to wondering what files you're talking about deleting, and why it's so hard to do so if you made a backup first? I figure you must be talking about your The Sims 2 folder, but again, if it's backed up, what's to worry about?

Anyway, doesn't matter. If you're following all the directions in the Game Problem FAQ, you're almost certain to learn something about why your game is acting wonky.

Although, if the only issue you're having is that one sim isn't accessing certain recipes, have you tried simply resetting that one sim? Easy procedure. Delete her with the hand tool while in Buy Mode, SAVE, exit the lot, then re-enter the lot. She'll be standing near the mailbox, and if the problem was that she was glitched, that will likely have fixed her. Moving her out, which you're understandably not wanting to do, is another way to reset a sim, but deleting is less drastic and often all that's needed.

It would be a waste of your time to pick through all my downloads without knowing whether or not our taste in CC runs along the same lines. Better to find out why your computer won't let you download and install at least one of the many file extractors available like WinRAR or 7UP.

As for not being able to find CC, that's just plain ridiculous. Have you seen the Downloads section here at MTS? There's more here alone than you could possibly use, and tons more on many many other sites. Our caution to you about deleting CC is that finding specific items you've had before and want to re-find could be quite difficult due to the large number of CC sites that are no longer around. But if you're starting fresh, there are still copious amounts of excellent Sims 2 CC still available, with new stuff being made all the time.

Yes, I am talking about my whole TS2 folder. The hard part (for me) is that I'm terrible at all tech stuff and am scared that I will mess things up.

And it's not that one sim, it's with all sims. I was just using her as an example because she pretty much maxed her cooking skill. I already tried deleting her.

On to the file extracter. Whenever I click install, it says "This program may harm your computer". So um yeah. Does this come up on all downloads? Tech n00b here, remember.

And that asking for downloads comment was rather stupid, I agree, I was tired and had a headache when I wrote that. And I found lots of CC, my tired self wasn't very clear about the CC I couldn't find. I can't find noses. I hate the maxis noses, but I can't seem to find any CC noses.

And my download folder at the moment is nonexistant, because I installed TS2 a month or two ago and could never install a file extracter.

EDIT: I also am having trouble finding skintones for all ages and morphstates.

[FreezerBunny]

FreezerBunny does mention that she intends to backup before deleting, so it should be OK (assuming that the entire save game is backed up).

Yes, I'm about to give that a try, but should I backup and delete the whole EA Games folder(I only have TS2 stuff in it)? Or should I backup and delete the The Sims 2 Store Edition, The Sims 2 Double Deluxe, and The Sims 2 seperatly? Will this affect bodyshop at all? I don't have anything saved in bodyshop at the moment, I just want to make sure that this won't make bodyshop unusable for future use.

[Darby]

Okay, I hope you haven't done anything yet, because it sounds like you're looking at the wrong set of files to delete.

When we talk about deleting or shifting files around, we're talking about the user files, as opposed to the installation files. Installation files are in My Computer\Local Disk (C)\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2. These are NOT the files you want to mess with. They are the unchanging files that are created when you install the game.

Your user files are in My Documents\EA GAMES\The Sims 2. These files change as you play the game, and it's in these files that game problems are usually located. These are the files you backup before doing any testing, and once you have the backup, these files are perfectly safe to delete.

Regarding downloading an extractor, getting a "this may harm your computer" message is not quite the same thing as "my computer won't let me". ;) I understand your caution, but it really is okay to override that message as long as you've done a reasonable amount of research on a program to have a feel for whether or not it's generally considered to be a safe program, and is compatible with your computer. I can tell you with great confidence that WinRAR is a safe, easy-to-use program that's not going to harm your computer. Google some reviews and read up on it, or other programs you've heard of, for your own peace of mind, then go for it.

ETA: Please forgive my prickliness from yesterday. Mootilda is right: I missed the part where you said you had backed your game up. I probably should not be allowed on the forums when I've got a migraine.

[FreezerBunny]

Okay, I hope you haven't done anything yet, because it sounds like you're looking at the wrong set of files to delete.

When we talk about deleting or shifting files around, we're talking about the user files, as opposed to the installation files. Installation files are in My Computer\Local Disk (C)\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2. These are NOT the files you want to mess with. They are the unchanging files that are created when you install the game.

Your user files are in My Documents\EA GAMES\The Sims 2. These files change as you play the game, and it's in these files that game problems are usually located. These are the files you backup before doing any testing, and once you have the backup, these files are perfectly safe to delete.

Regarding downloading an extractor, getting a "this may harm your computer" message is not quite the same thing as "my computer won't let me". ;) I understand your caution, but it really is okay to override that message as long as you've done a reasonable amount of research on a program to have a feel for whether or not it's generally considered to be a safe program, and is compatible with your computer. I can tell you with great confidence that WinRAR is a safe, easy-to-use program that's not going to harm your computer. Google some reviews and read up on it, or other programs you've heard of, for your own peace of mind, then go for it.

ETA: Please forgive my prickliness from yesterday. Mootilda is right: I missed the part where you said you had backed your game up. I probably should not be allowed on the forums when I've got a migraine.

I have not done anything yet, and I know it is the documents. I get screenshots from there all the time;)

Ohhh, okay. I'm rather stupid with computers. I'll install it after I do the file thing.

EDIT: And I have "The Sims 2 Double Deluxe", "The SIms 2 Store Edition", and "The Sims 2". What folders "exactly" do I backup and delete? I don't want to mess up.

[Darby]

You're not "stupid with computer"; you're simply learning something new. Thinking of yourself as stupid when learning anything new makes it harder to do so, so stop that!

I have "The Sims 2 Double Deluxe", "The SIms 2 Store Edition", and "The Sims 2". What folders "exactly" do I backup and delete? I don't want to mess up.

Okay, this is why I had the impression you might be looking at the wrong set of files, because when you're looking in My Documents\EA GAMES, there should only be a The Sims 2 folder, and not separate folders for The Sims 2 Store Edition and The Sims 2 Double Deluxe as well. But then, I don't have either of those, so I could be wrong. I'm afraid you'll have to wait on someone else to help you with that part, although I imagine if you copied (backed up) ALL of them, deleting all of them would be the thing to do.

Don't worry about downloading an extractor just yet. Let's get your game functioning properly first, THEN worry about downloading and installing CC.

[FreezerBunny]

I have another question. Are the downloads on MTS virus (and problem) checked before accepted? I'm a little worried about downloading from creators I've never heard of before.

[Darby]

I don't know, but getting actual viruses from CC is virtually unheard of with the possible exception of some at TSR (The Sims Resource). The thing to do to ease your mind on that would be to have your anti-virus program scan downloaded zip files as you obtain them.

[FreezerBunny]

You're not "stupid with computer"; you're simply learning something new. Thinking of yourself as stupid when learning anything new makes it harder to do so, so stop that!



Okay, this is why I had the impression you might be looking at the wrong set of files, because when you're looking in My Documents\EA GAMES, there should only be a The Sims 2 folder, and not separate folders for The Sims 2 Store Edition and The Sims 2 Double Deluxe as well. But then, I don't have either of those, so I could be wrong. I'm afraid you'll have to wait on someone else to help you with that part, although I imagine if you copied (backed up) ALL of them, deleting all of them would be the thing to do.

Don't worry about downloading an extractor just yet. Let's get your game functioning properly first, THEN worry about downloading and installing CC.

I'm pretty sure I'm looking in the right files. I'll tell you exactly what I do to find the files: I'm on a windows 7, so I click "Windows Explorer". Then I click "My Documents", then "EA Games". And the folders that appear are "The Sims 2 Store Edition", "The Sims 2 Double Deluxe", and "The Sims 2".

I'm not on the computer with TS2 installed right now, but when I'm on it I can give you a screenshot?

[FreezerBunny]

I don't know, but getting actual viruses from CC is virtually unheard of with the possible exception of some at TSR (The Sims Resource). The thing to do to ease your mind on that would be to have your anti-virus program scan downloaded zip files as you obtain them.

So I scan the zip/rar before I extract?

And I would never download from TSR, I'm scared of it. I know there is a few completely trustworthy creators on it, but I've heard of the ads giving viruses so I just stay away from TSR.

[FreezerBunny]

Hehe, one more question.

Do I backup and delete the EA Games folder itself, or the "The Sims 2 Store Edition", the "The Sims 2 Double Deluxe", and "The Sims 2" folders seperatly?

[Darby]

Yes, scan the .zip or .rar before extracting. I think that's all that's necessary, and trust that if anyone knows better, they'll correct me.

Good call, avoiding TSR. It's probably not as dangerous a site to visit as some (myself included) make it out to be sometimes, but I just can't stand that site and its owner.

I have zero experience with Windows 7, so I can't verify that the path you're describing is correct. Better to wait on someone who knows Windows 7 to answer that.

Double and triple posting is frowned upon here, by the way. There's an edit button at the bottom right of your posts that should be used instead of making two or three posts in a row. ;)

ETA: You can definitely back up the entire EA GAMES folder. Not necessary, but not a problem either.

[FreezerBunny]

Yes, scan the .zip or .rar before extracting. I think that's all that's necessary, and trust that if anyone knows better, they'll correct me.

Good call, avoiding TSR. It's probably not as dangerous a site to visit as some (myself included) make it out to be sometimes, but I just can't stand that site and its owner.

I have zero experience with Windows 7, so I can't verify that the path you're describing is correct. Better to wait on someone who knows Windows 7 to answer that.

Double and triple posting is frowned upon here, by the way. There's an edit button at the bottom right of your posts that should be used instead of making two or three posts in a row. ;)

ETA: You can definitely back up the entire EA GAMES folder. Not necessary, but not a problem either.

Okay, backing up the EA GAMES folder. So I can delete the EA Games folder itself right? Just confirming here.

[Darby]

No, open the EA GAMES folder and delete The Sims 2. It's that file that regenerates when you next run the game - not the EA GAMES folder.

[FreezerBunny]

No, open the EA GAMES folder and delete The Sims 2. It's that file that regenerates when you next run the game - not the EA GAMES folder.

I'm confused again. There is also "The Sims 2 Double Deluxe" and "The Sims 2 Store Edition" folders inside "EA GAMES". Do I delete those too? I just looked inside of them and theres neighorhood data inside them.

[Mootilda]

Yes, back those up too and delete them.

Okay, this is why I had the impression you might be looking at the wrong set of files, because when you're looking in My Documents\EA GAMES, there should only be a The Sims 2 folder, and not separate folders for The Sims 2 Store Edition and The Sims 2 Double Deluxe as well. But then, I don't have either of those, so I could be wrong.Yes, you're wrong. Double Deluxe and the Store Edition are incredibly annoying and create their own folders under My Documents. What's more, EA sometimes puts the save game into the Double Deluxe folder, rather than into the normal The Sims 2 folder. This means that sometimes CC must be installed into the Double Deluxe folder.

The concern with deleting the entire EA Games folder is that you may have other games installed which also use that folder. I believe that the EA Games folder would regenerate if you delete it, but I'd prefer that you wait until I test this before I recommend it.

[Darby]

Thanks for clearing up the confusion, Mootilda. I continue to find reasons to be grateful all parts of my game are standalone editions.

[Josepina]

I have double deluxe and I've never seen a double deluxe folder in documents. Maybe it's the downloaded version that does this?

[FreezerBunny]

Yes, back those up too and delete them.

Yes, you're wrong. Double Deluxe and the Store Edition are incredibly annoying and create their own folders under My Documents. What's more, EA sometimes puts the save game into the Double Deluxe folder, rather than into the normal The Sims 2 folder. This means that sometimes CC must be installed into the Double Deluxe folder.

The concern with deleting the entire EA Games folder is that you may have other games installed which also use that folder. I believe that the EA Games folder would regenerate if you delete it, but I'd prefer that you wait until I test this before I recommend it.

Okay. I'll backup and delete those three folders then.

[FreezerBunny]

I have double deluxe and I've never seen a double deluxe folder in documents. Maybe it's the downloaded version that does this?

That's strange. Because I've saw a few how-to video of installing CC on youtube, and a lot of them had the Double Deluxe folders. And I have the disk version, not the downloaded version.

[Mootilda]

FreezerBunny, please stop double and triple posting. It's against the site rules. If you need to add more information, use the Edit button to add to your existing post.

You might want to re-read the rules:
http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=289713

I have double deluxe and I've never seen a double deluxe folder in documents. Maybe it's the downloaded version that does this?It's not clear what weird and wonderful rules EA uses to decide which folders to create. You just need to be aware that you may or may not have such folders and that the game may or may not use one of the extra folders for the save game.

[Mootilda]

The concern with deleting the entire EA Games folder is that you may have other games installed which also use that folder. I believe that the EA Games folder would regenerate if you delete it, but I'd prefer that you wait until I test this before I recommend it.I have verified that if you delete the entire Documents\EA Games folder, then the Documents\EA Games (including The Sims 2 subfolder) will regenerate when you run the game.

If The Sims 2 is your only EA game which uses that folder, then it should be safe to move or delete Documents\EA Games, rather than Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2 and it's associated folders.

Has anyone yet verified that The Sims 2 Double Deluxe and The Sims 2 Store Edition will also regenerate?