new patch and securom

[kittielickie_SC]

okay, i know i'll probably get smacked upside my head for asking this, but can anyone help me with securom? I've never had a problem with it until i install the stupid new patch. I've searched about it, but the only thing i found was the tool on the sims official site that removes securom, but also removes your game???? I don't want to do that. I want to play my game.

[mangaroo]

Are you trying to start the game with a legit disk/download license, or with a crack? Does this need to be reported to EA as a genuine problem with the patch, or is it something you'll need to go to less reputable corners of the internet to resolve?

[kittielickie_SC]

Nope. my game is an original bought from the store legit disk.

[treeag]

I'd say it's legit. If she's using a crack she wouldn't have the SecuROM in the first place. (And would've known better than installing the patch ;))


EDIT : Too late :p

[kittielickie_SC]

okay. I'm so upset. my husband thinks i'm being a big baby. I just want to play my game. I NEED HELP!!! LOL

[mangaroo]

kittielickie, can you do a system restore to a point before you installed the patch?

[Daisie]

Just back up your game (copy-paste the "Sims 2" folder), use EA's fix, and then reinstall TS2 and your EPs.

[kittielickie_SC]

no, i don't think so. My question is, if i uninstall all the games and reinstall, with this problem happen anyway?? how do i get around this so i can play my game? there had to be some way everyone that had the problem can play the game.

[Daisie]

If you could run the game before the patch, then the problem wouldn't happen again unless you installed it again.

[kittielickie_SC]

well, i think that's the route i'll go. I already copied my downloads folder, so that's not a problem. I'll just reinstall my game. I could use a new start after all. lol.

[LongTallSally]

Wait, what problems have you been having? If you weren't having problems before the patch, then it's not SecuROM's fault.

[kittielickie_SC]

well, from the sims2 website, it says that if you get the 'Conflict with emulation software detected' message, then it's a secuRom problem.

My game will not start.

[mangaroo]

Wait, what problems have you been having? If you weren't having problems before the patch, then it's not SecuROM's fault.

Apparently the patch includes a hidden SecuRom update, which aggravates me on principle, but is really kicking people who have perfectly legit burners on their system.

[kittielickie_SC]

I guess there is nothing I can do expect uninstall my game and reinstall.

[LongTallSally]

Apparently the patch includes a hidden SecuRom update, which aggravates me on principle, but is really kicking people who have perfectly legit burners on their system.
Aaah, I see. That's unfortunate.

[Misty_SC]

I posted this in the other thread about the patch before seeing your thread here. It's a real bugger, isn't it? Another 'boot to the head' award for EA on this one.

Kittielickie, I also read on the BBS how many have managed to fix the problem for the time being, although unfortunately it means sans patch. Move your EA Games folder out of My Documents and put it someplace like on your Desktop or in a temp folder (I also suggest backing it up to a secondary HD or such). Next, un-install FreeTime, which will also uninstall the patch. Next, re-install Freetime, this time without the patch. Start your game and make sure it's running properly (this will generate a new EA Games folder in your My Documents folder). Once everything checks out, delete the new EA Games folder, put your old one back in and re-start the game and see if it's functioning properly.

This problem is caused by the update to SecuROM. It is conflicting with even more software than ever, which is completely ridiculous considering I don't think there's a computer made today that doesn't have either a CD-burner or a DVD-burner.

I'm still trying to work up the nerve to download it. I really want the bug fixes, but at the same time I don't want the problems that could crop up.

ETA: I'm not even sure why this works, considering uninstalling the patch doesn't uninstall SecuROM, but it seems that it does at least remove the conflict.

[dlisted]

I posted this in the other thread about the patch before seeing your thread here. It's a real bugger, isn't it? Another 'boot to the head' award for EA on this one.


which EP actually started with the securom nonsense? Does it effect direct download at all that doesn't actually use discs? I get that they don't want to get ripped off and all, but most sims user who have bought all the EPs have spent more than I really want to add up to still feel good about myself so it's kind of ridiculous. I've heard heard two different claims about it too, one that you will only be able to install the games a max of three times and the other was that you could only install the game on a max of three computers...does anyone know if either is true?

[Proxian_girl]

which EP actually started with the securom nonsense?

Bon Voyage, I believe. Unfortunately that's the only question I can answer...

[treeag]

It started with H&M, IIRC. People just didn't notice that until BV since H&M didn't run on its own executables...

[leenetje]

wow jeez, i'm pretty lucky i couyld install the lastest patch ad didn't had problems with the patch from hell, cause no securom updates for me.

[kittielickie_SC]

thanks everyone for the advice. I'll try to uninstall freetime. It's ssoooooo much work, but i think my simmies are worth it. I'll try to do it tomorrow.

[crocobaura]

I think the previous patch is available at MATY, so you can still patch your game if you want to. :) If you can't find it at MATY I can send it to you. :)

[mangaroo]

I've heard heard two different claims about it too, one that you will only be able to install the games a max of three times and the other was that you could only install the game on a max of three computers...does anyone know if either is true?

It not true for The Sims 2. You can re-install your EPs as many times as you can tolerate typing in the serial numbers.

Those are rumors circulating about a different form of SecuROM that uses online validation, discussed in depth in this thread (http://forums.sims2community.com/showthread.php?t=57116). This is not the version of SecuROM in use on The Sims 2 disks, although some have hypothesized that EA might use it for S3 if they're using it for Spore.

[kittielickie_SC]

I really hope they don't do this for the sims 3. I don't know what i'll do if i can't play the sims 3. I've been playing sims since the first year the sims 1 came out. That would truely upset me, and i'm sure upset a lot of other hardcore fans that won't be able to play b/c of secuRom.

[Misty_SC]

which EP actually started with the securom nonsense? Does it effect direct download at all that doesn't actually use discs? I get that they don't want to get ripped off and all, but most sims user who have bought all the EPs have spent more than I really want to add up to still feel good about myself so it's kind of ridiculous. I've heard heard two different claims about it too, one that you will only be able to install the games a max of three times and the other was that you could only install the game on a max of three computers...does anyone know if either is true?

I understood what I read about the three installations to mean that the licensing agreement would allow installation on three different computers. I didn't read anything that should have led people to believe the game could only be installed a maximum of three times. If everyone could install the game legally on three different computers, in the long run that's a great thing. Here, we have the game and all expansions installed on two computers, so that means buying the entire game twice to be in compliance with the licensing agreement. Under the proposed licensing agreement for TS3 that wouldn't be necessary.

Even so, I still don't have any intention of upgrading to TS3 when it comes out. EA has pulled way too many shenanigans to deserve any more of my shopping dollars and I really don't like the sounds of changes that are being made in TS3. Since I already have EPs with SecuROM, I may buy Apartment Life as well, but only if I find I can install the FT patch with no problems, because if it has problems, AL will also.

I have a single DVD burner for which I use the OEM software on the rare occasion I want to burn something to disk, but even though I only use it rarely (and never for anything illegal or unethical), I'll be darned if I'll let EA bully me into giving up something for which I paid good money and have every right to use.