Problems with custom content making original maxis objects invisible I have a lot of custom content and it was causing problems so I downloaded Sims2Pack Clean Installer to help. I disabled all my custom content, but the objects that had become invisible (not just invisible - you can place them but a sim cannot use them or see them) are still invisible - I'm now worried I've ruined these forever. The main objects that have disappeared are most of the gym equipment bar one or two. Any clues as to what is causing the problems? Thanks x
Sims2Pack Clean Installer is not, and never can be, infallible. Assuming that you haven't downloaded an executable hack that has modified files in the Program Files folder you can easily restore your game to pristine condition by dragging the folder called Downloads out of My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\ That's the easy way to put things right. If you want to keep all of your downloads, bar the bad one(s) then there is no substitute for a tedious search If it were me I would drag the folder onto the the desktop. Next I would make a new folder on the folder on the desktop and name it something like Downloads_Clean-up Then I would drag the aforementioned downloads folder into Downloads_Clean-up (D_C for short) Now create some more new folders in D_C and name them knownsafe (in here you will drag all downloads that have a name you recognize and know it to be harmless. This will be mostly clothing) unknown (in here you will plop all the files with names that make no sense - might be a lot depends where you've been downloading from) hacks (for anything that changes gameplay - hacks acquired deliberately usually have names like coffeecuphack.package) misc (for all the stuff that you recognize as furniture and objects and recolors and so on) Now to test your game. First try it without the downloads at all. Aim to play a family you haven't played before as lots that need downloaded items that are no longer available are going to play odd anyway. Then add in the clothing and see how that works. Try making a few sims in CAS to see if the clothing is all present. If so far, so good. Your next step is to add back the files from the unknown folder 5 at a time (making a note of their names ... so you can get them out again when you find the one(s) that are causing the trouble. Downloading houses is dangerous because they may contain hacks that will ruin your game. The official exchange will at least tell you if a house contains non-Maxis content. If you download from anywhere else you will need either to trust the source (look for words like "Hack-Free" -- it's no guarantee but it might help convince you) failing that you need the ability to spot a hack.
