Freetime Installation

[ella_in_wonderland]

Freetime is the only EP that I don't have and when I get it, it will complete my collection (except for SPs) :D

Anyway, I've heard that when you install new EP's it can mess up your game and downloads folder and stuff? Can someone pleasee explain what happens/what I should do before installing? Should I just back up my game foldes?

(PS I saw another thread like this but I wasn't sure if it's the same for every EP or just some, so I made a new one)

[maxon]

When you install a new EP, all the files in your neighbourhoods folder get updated to work with the new EP. It means you can't go back to a state before the EP was installed. If you decide to uninstall FT, the files will no longer work with your game. BUT - there's more. If you uninstall, BE WARNED, the uninstall process will wipe the entirety of the TS2 folder in My Documents (all your downloads and neighbourhoods and anything else you've stuck in there). This is not usually an issue when you install a new EP BUT sometimes there are errors on installation and the install process will automatically uninstall itself (removing all your files in the process). Soooooo - yeah, backing up is a good idea. So much so, in fact, that EAxis tells you to do it before you agree to go ahead and let the new EP install itself. And yeah, it's the same for every EP.

[ella_in_wonderland]

So the risk isn't in the installation, it's in the uninstallation?

[Darby]

Things can go wonky during installation as well, so backing your current game up is important either way.
http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:Preparing_for_the_Next_Expansion

[Peni Griffin]

Basically, back up your game right before you do anything major, and right after you've accomplished something in it that you feel strongly about. It's not like backing it up is difficult, time-consuming, or eve particularly hard on disk space (especially if you back up to an external source). There's no need to wait till you're in a situation in which an accident is statistically likely to buckle your seatbelt.

[maxon]

So the risk isn't in the installation, it's in the uninstallation?
Yes, but as Darby reminded you, installation isn't without its risks. Backing up is a good idea.

[Saturnfly]

Always back-up your game before making any major changes to it, ie: installing a new EP or hack/ mod.
Even the smallest thing as a scratch on a game disc (unless it's a digital download) can leave files unreadable and make it unable to install properly, leaving you with messed up game files.
Of course the chances of installation going wonky and probably far lower than it going without a hitch, but it's always best to be prepared if you care enough about your game/ families.

[ella_in_wonderland]

Okay, thanks everyone!