Hi I really hope this hasn't been posted anywhere. I did read through but I'm in a hurry so I may have missed something so forgive me if I have.

Basically I backed up my files a few weeks ago because my laptop was going for repair. I had to do this to CD because my external doesn't work at the moment.
I got the laptop back all fixed and went to put my folders back onto the laptop (somehow they got deleted) but when I did and played the game none of my CC was working. I have no idea why and I removed the folders and put them back into the Documents/Electronic Arts/Sims 3/Mods/Packages folder and it still didn't work. I made sure the Resource.cfg file was in the right place in the root folder and that still didn't work.

I don't remember doing anything else but now my Sims just won't open. I double click the icon, eject and re-insert the disc, click run as administrator and nothing will open the launcher. I can't access my game at all!
I'd really appreciate any help I can get.
I am running the game on a HP laptop with Windows Vista and haven't had problems before. I don't want to uninstall just yet because I can't find all of my discs/serial numbers.

I have Ambitions and Late Night installed. Please can someone help me?

Thanks in advance

Last edited by VixenKitty : 16th Feb 2012 at 9:56 AM. Reason: no one has replied and mentioning expansion packs

• Sims 3 - Game Problems
  Please go through this FAQ and follow the instructions, doing each step in order and not skipping anything:
  • Game Help:Sims 3 Game Problem^wiki
  Most issues with the game can be resolved by following those steps.
  
  

Go back to the default vanilla settings without using your backup files - above FAQ step#3.
And bypass Launcher - Game Help:TS3 Bypassing the Launcher^wiki - does the game start then?

Are you back at the same patch level as before sending the laptop for repairs? What patch version was the base game at then?

Or, have you patched up to 1.29 since getting the laptop back? or has been at 1.29 before sending it in for repairs?

I patched before sending it for repair because I had a problem with Pets before being told that Pets wouldn't run because I don't have enough dedicated memory to run it on my laptop. When I got the laptop back and the launcher did open it kept asking me to update my game and when I did it said there had been an error although unfortunately I can't recall what the error was and I can't find out now because the launcher won't open.
Basically all my custom content disappeared once I got the laptop back because I backed up the folders and stupidly removed the folder from the Documents>Electronic Arts>Sims 3>Mods>Packages folder I'd created but I've moved this folder before and put it back and never had any problems. I installed all the CC I could again and it said it was in the game but when it loaded it just wasn't visible there at all. Things like hair was gone and default styles were on my sims instead.
Once I put the CC back (I've removed it again since too) that's when the game stopped working. I know its me just doing something stupid but I don't understand the game telling me there was an update available and then having errors with that. I'll follow the steps and see what happens. Just thought I'd give a bit more info. Sorry for the wall of text.
Was thinking of restoring the laptop to an earlier date when the game worked properly because I've been told by a friend that that would undo any folder moves I made that could have messed it up. Could this actually work?

VixenKitty,

Have you tried using CC Magic? Also, are you using .package files or .sim3packs? I would highly recommend you switch over to .package files and use the Multi Extractor to turn .sim3packs to .package files. If you have already done this, CC magic is the best option as well.
Not only will it merge your files to make the game faster, it will help you sort through the CC to see what is causing your CC to act up. (I'm assuming this is a case of bad CC). Alternatively, you can use the Dashboard Tool as well.

If you're still having issues, try using this tutorial here: http://simpedia.sims2cri.com/Resource.cfg_eng
You can download their resource.cfg (something I had to do myself) and it makes the game work again.

This might also help: http://simpedia.sims2cri.com/Catego...ion_instruction

Well I decided to restore my system to when the game was working correctly and it now runs perfectly fine and I've just checked all the CC and discovered it is literally just my XM SIms hair downloads that are not displaying despite being in the correct folder (the same folder they've always been in!). Any suggestions on why this could be? Would removing and re-downloading fix this do you think?
And yes those hairs are .package files already and the folder is: Documents>Electronic Arts>Sims 3>Mods>Packages and the Resource.cfg file is still in place in the Program Files folder for the game as it says in the XM Sims readme file.

Thanks for the advice so far.

Hi everyone, just wanted to say thanks very much for all the suggestions. My game now works properly and so does all my CC! :D
I think it may have been an error with XM Sims' files and the 1.29 patch but after following one of your CC installation tutorials, I used the framework folders included and re-downloaded the XM Sims files I wanted and now they all work.
I really appreciate the help and info and it's also helped me find my way around this site a little more! <3