My game crashes whenever I try to open it.

[mauvikinz]

I tried using Numenor's AnyGame Installer so I could have a basegame version of the Sims 2, but the anygame kept saying I needed different disks. I ended up uninstalling Anygame, but then when I tried to launch my game normally, it crashed after the cutscene. I tried uninstalling the Sims 2, but it kept saying that I had one or more expansion packs, and to please uninstall those before uninstalling the Sims 2. So I tried uninstalling the only expansion pack I had on my computer, but it gave me the same message. I deleted all the files that had anything to do with the sims 2 except for my back-up. Then I tried installing the Sims 2 again. then I tried installing OFB, but it said it was already installed. I tried launching the game and had the same problems, and I don't know how to fix it.

[Mootilda]

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

[mauvikinz]

I tried the first three things, but it wouldn't let me uninstall things, I went through the delete such-and-such steps and that's how I was able to uninstall The Sims 2. I did the same for OFB, but it still says it's installed.

[Mootilda]

Are you using DVD versions of the game, or downloaded versions? If DVD, the most likely explanation for your problem is one or more unwanted registry entries. If you can't find them all, you could try using an automated registry cleaner, such as CCCleaner.

[mauvikinz]

Euh, are there any free programs?

[whiterider]

CCleaner is free: http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

[mauvikinz]

Still didn't work.

[Mootilda]

Which operating system are you using?

[mauvikinz]

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium.

[ellacharmed]

but it wouldn't let me uninstall things Still didn't work. Elaborate, please.
Don't work in what manner. Wouldn't let you how?
The System stuck out its tongue, say "nyeh nyeh nyeh"? It put up a STOP sign? It won't accept the "Delete" this folder command? The Control Panel Uninstall Programs' Uninstall button didn't uninstall it? Then what happens? What error message does it give you?

And it puzzles me how one can enter a forum section, see all the threads getting locked for being in the wrong place and still post in here. Thread moved.
* I should be locking this to be fair to others, but I'll be lenient this time *

[mauvikinz]

I'm sorry, really. I was panicing when I posted this I know I should've kept calm, but it was hard.

I tried to elaborate as much as I could in the first post-- I guess I didn't elaborate enough.

Okay, so I downloaded AnyGameInstaller by Numenor. I created a base-game empty Sims 2 game, and I tried launching it. It said that I needed the OFB disc. I didn't know why, but I put it in anyway. Then it said I needed the base game disc. So, I out that back in. Then it said it needed the OFB disc, and I deleted the AnyGame and uninstalled AnygameInstaller. I then tried to open my normal Sims 2 game. It open the launcher just fine, and then went through the beginning cutscene. However, it crashed when it tried to get to the main menu. I tried again twice, same result. I tried uninstalling Open For Business, but a little window popped up that read "One or more expansion packs are installed. Please uninstall those before trying to uninstall Open For Business." I only had Open For Business installed on my computer, so I tried to uninstall The Sims 2. An almost identical window popped up saying that "One or more expansions are installed. Please uninstall those before trying to uninstall The Sims 2." I went to the Help: Installtion page and did everything there I possibly could (The Control Panel thing didn't work, nor did using the "Uninstall" program for either game, both coming up with the "One or more expansion packs are installed. Please uninstall those before trying to uninstall..." messages. I ended up searching "Sim" and deleted any files that came up. then I searched "business" and got nothing, so I thought it had worked. I reinstalled The Sims 2 without trouble, then tried installing Open For Business. However, the window that came up said it was already installed. I tried runing The Sims 2, and once again, it crashed upon finishing the cutscene. I tried using CCleaner to get rid of the orphan Open For Business files. Then I tried opening the game. Go through the cutscene... "The application has crashed. The application will now terminate".

Edit:

Also worth of note, Body Shop still works.

[ellacharmed]

Well, then, first if I may suggest: update your profile to show what games you do have. It is confusing when you keep referring to games and then they are not listed. So did the error message pop-up in error because you do not have the add-on installed or is it installed but you still get the "<add-on> is missing" error?

Sims 2 is very order-specific in which gets installed or uninstalled first. So to uninstall, you need to work backward from the last-released add-on until you reach base game. ie follow the Uninstall Guide's order. If the Uninstall in Control Panel gives some error during UN-installation, means the process has been messed up and you need to do everything manually now as shown in the Remove Leftover Program Data section, like the first step states.If this uninstaller will not work for some reason or left some files behind, you can manually delete the program data files.And once you've started the UN-installation process, you cannot RE-Install until the UN-installation is a thorough & clean process that gets rid of anything Sims 2-related. Is your Windows 7 64bit? Then I understand now where the confusion is.

[eta]
I've added the additional info for the Program Files (x86) path, if one has 64bit Windows. If you want to delete everything under EA Games, you can delete that EA Games folder instead of the individual "Sims 2 <game name>" folders one-by-one.

We need to make sure the game works As-Is without introducing other tools. So, when you're ready to reinstall, just reinstall the base game only and then load it to make sure it works, before installing other add-ons or the AnyGameStarter.

[mauvikinz]

SimPE doesn't count as an add-on, does it? I mean, I can see how I might have to uninstall it if I want to get my game back to normal, but it took a while to find and download. And I apologize for the settings being wrong on my EPs and SPs owned thing-- I guess I forgot to change that.

Edit: I have deleted everything that came up when I tried searching "sim" except for SimPE. I tried reinstalling then launching the game, but it said that "Open for Business is not installed or not installed properly. Please install or reinstall and try again." Would I need to uninstall SimPE?

[Ghost sdoj]

No, SimPe is a stand-alone program. It doesn't qualify as an add-on. Do you have the base game only, or the collection pack that included OFB?


Edit: What I meant to ask was do you have each pack separately, including the base game? Or do you have collection packs?

[mauvikinz]

I was able to restore my computer to a back-up that was made eight days before the problem. I didn't even know I had it; however, my issue has been resolved. I have collection packs, but AGS seemed to work fine on my test PC (Whic his old and breaking down anyway,) even though I had University Life, so I thought it might work with Best of Business. I guess I was wrong...