Big Problem. Please help. Ok, so after not playing this game for a while, I realized that I needed to reinstall this game. It started to install without a hitch, but didn't ask me for a CD key. I didn't think much of it, but now when I try to play the game it won't load. When I attempt to uninstall it, the system automatically starts to install a new copy. When I attempt to install an expansion, it says "Invalid version, aborting installation." Do I need to do a total wipe of my system leading back a week (when I attempted the install) or is there another way? Many thanks, and remember, the truth is out there.
Heya Mulder: Go bug Scully next time!! Jk! hhehe..sorry Anyhow, please follow these steps for a manual uninstall and try reinstalling thereafter. An improper installation or corruption of the game data can not only prevent the game from loading, but can cause the game to crash at seemingly random but very specific points in the game. When such an occurrence happens, it’s best to manually remove all of the components to make sure that next installation does not run into the same issues. To do a manual uninstall for The Sims and expansion follow these steps (instructions referencing an expansion you do not own should be ignored): Delete the game folders. Click on the Start button. Click on the Run button. Type C:\Program Files\Maxis into the text field, and press OK. Note : If you changed the install path for the game during the initial installation, you will need to type that into the text field in lieu of the previous path. Right-click on the The Sims folder and select Delete. When prompted if you are sure, select Yes. Once deleted, click on the Start button. Click on All Programs. Click on the Maxis folder. Right-click on the The Sims folder and select Delete. When prompted if you are sure, select Yes. Delete the game registry keys.(Warning: Changes to the registry can cause your computer to operate improperly, so please follow these instructions exactly as they are written.) Follow these steps to back-up the registry so that should something go wrong, you can restore your system back to a working state: Click on the Start button. Click on Run. Type regedit into the available text field, and press OK. If you are using Windows 2000/XP, click on File on the tool bar, and select Export. If you are using Windows 95/98/ME, click on Registry on the tool bar, and select Export Registry File Check All under Export Range. Type registry_archive into the File name field, and click Save. Close the Registry Editor by clicking on the X in the top right corner of the window. Follow these steps to remove the game registry keys from your system. (instructions referencing an expansion you do not own should be ignored Click on the Start button. Click on Run. Type regedit into the available text field, and press OK. Double-click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Double-click on SOFTWARE. Double-click on Electronic Arts. Double-click on Maxis. Right-click on the folders listed below and select Delete: The Sims The Sims Livin’ Large The Sims House Party The Sims Hot Date The Sims Vacation The Sims Unleashed The Sims Superstar The Sims Makin’ Magic When prompted if you are sure, select Yes. Click on the minus sign next to Maxis. Double-click on Microsoft. Double-click on Windows. Double-click on CurrentVersion. Double-click on Uninstall. Right-click on the following folders, and select Delete to remove them: The Sims – The Original Sims {2727FBEF-3155-11D4-8F73-0050DA0F6297} – The Sims Livin’ Large {10798AE3-DCBB-43C3-9C93-C23512427E25 } – The Sims Deluxe {7D268154-7A31-40F2-9779-7A250914BB39} – The Sims House Party {017E65B1-7484-461A-B16F-7C931166083B} – The Sims Hot Date {3D9231F6-A287-4222-9EBC-519BB206F590} – The Sims Vacation {7C32C567-DC0F-4C80-B06C-7873850A2E06} – The Sims Unleashed {1A7F8DF6-5A3E-4CDF-BC82-BE26B407E21B } – The Sims Superstar {9A00D1BA-D03A-44E5-AF28-86A1F377DF61} – The Sims Makin’ Magic When prompted if you are sure, select Yes. Close the Registry Editor by clicking on the X in the top right corner of the window. Follow these steps to restore your registry, should you notice any issues after removing the previous keys. Click on the Start button. Click on Run. Type regedit into the available text field, and press OK. If you are using Windows 2000/XP do the following: Click on File on the tool bar, and select Import. Select the file registry_archive.reg and click Open. If you are using Windows 95/98/ME do the following: Click on Registry on the tool bar, and select Import Registry File… Select the file registry_archive.reg and click Open. Your registry is now successfully restored; close the Registry Editor by clicking on the X in the top right corner of the window.
