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Original Poster
#1 Old 2nd Jan 2010 at 3:04 PM Last edited by justay : 2nd Jan 2010 at 3:27 PM.

This user has the following games installed:

Sims 3
Game unable to start, Service Initialization failure 0x039e8474
I recently bought the Sims 3 and installed it, which took 2 and a half hours on my macbook. Everything seemed fine but when I launch the game i get a message that reads "unable to start game service initialization failed 0x039e8474". I read that its a registry problem but I don't know what that means or how to fix it. Please help, I'd rather not spend another 3 hours uninstalling and installing the game.
PS I KNOW that i don't meet the suggested RAM GB but I know that other people don't who are successfully using the Sims

I have also seen it might be because of a previously downloaded pirated copy. I did download a version of Sims3 through a torrent to see if it would work on my computer. The same day i bought the CD. I thought I had erased anything from it before the download.

Please help EA customer support did nothing but direct me to a page about a different issue.

I have a Macbook, with Mac OSx leopard, not windows.

I've also tried everything suggested in the FAQ. I don't have a Mods folder, and theres only two things in the cache, sunset valley and TCCVersion.txt

I have a cache folder in unrelated to sims, though. Is this what theyre talking about?

Edit: I did find two of the caches mentioned in the Wiki, deleted them and tried to start the game. Same thing happened as before. I still can't find a mods file
In the Arena
retired moderator
#2 Old 2nd Jan 2010 at 3:32 PM
I think on a Mac, equivalent of clearing registry is to delete the user preferences?

And you're looking at the wrong Cache folder.
It should be in Windows OS's equivalent of the Documents path? I don't know where it is in a Mac, sorry!

Moving to Mac Help...more stickies and players more knowledgeable on Mac
Test Subject
Original Poster
#3 Old 2nd Jan 2010 at 3:34 PM Last edited by justay : 2nd Jan 2010 at 3:39 PM. Reason: more
Thanks, I found the right Cache folder, and deleted the caches. It made no difference
In the Arena
retired moderator
#4 Old 3rd Jan 2010 at 5:10 AM
Found! Mac OS document path, in readme.txt, wiki and archived threads: /Users/<Username>/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3/

You didn't mention if you had cleared this: /Users/<Username>/Library/Preferences/The Sims 3 Preferences/

If you hadn't installed custom content or the CC framework before, you wouldn't have a Mods folder to delete.

I still think you need to do a full uninstall, just to ensure the torrent copy is totally wiped. I don't think an install should have taken that long? Anyway, some pointers that might help in this https://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=381457 has uninstall and other instructions.

You're sure the machine meets the system spec to run the game?
Quote: Originally posted by plasticbox
To post the rest of your specs, open "About This Mac" (top left corner of your screen), then "More Info", and copy + paste what it says there in Hardware Overview.
Pettifogging Legalist!
retired moderator
#5 Old 3rd Jan 2010 at 8:20 AM
Please post your complete specs – not only Hardware Overview, but also what it says in the Graphics tab.

Also, uninstall the game completely (delete your game files, user files, and preferences) before reinstalling.

The fact that the game took 2.5 hours(!) to install is a very bad sign. Installation under OS X should normally take less than 10 minutes.

Stuff for TS2 · TS3 · TS4 | Please do not PM me with technical questions – we have Create forums for that.

In the kingdom of the blind, do as the Romans do.
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