View source for Game Help:Finding Problem Custom Content

=The 50% Method=

If you have done all of the above and the problem still persists, even after removing recently-added files, removing careers, majors, hacks, and hacked objects, and taking out the unlikely files to make sure they're not the problem, then you need to follow the below instructions to find where your problem file(s) may be located and remove it/them to fix your problem.

This is tedious, yes, and it does take quite a bit of time, but it's a lot better method than deleting your whole Downloads folder.

Read through the flow chart a few times before you begin - there is a very specific logic to the way you do this, and if you can wrap your mind around it and understand why it's done this way before you start, you'll find it a lot easier.

[[Image:50pFlowv2.jpg|right]]
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==Testing Tips==

* Create temporary folders on your Desktop to hold files while you are moving them around according to the guide above.  When you name them, call them something other than A, B, C or 1, 2, 3, etc. - we suggest silly names like Mongoose, Antelope, Badger, etc., as this makes it easier to remember which folder has which files.

* Make sure you follow the above chart exactly - if you skip a step or do it differently you may not catch all problem files or all conflicting files.

* When you're done, do the Final Tests listed below to ensure you have identified the correct files as problems.
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==Final Tests==

Once you have divided and divided and tested and tested, you should have one or more files which you suspect are bad.

You should put ONLY those files you suspect into your Downloads folder to ensure that they are indeed the problem.  If they are, the problem will persist even with no other downloads.

Then, put back everything ELSE and test again, to make sure you didn't perhaps miss something.  If all is well, then you know you have found the problem file(s).

==Final Steps==
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===Those Problem Files===

Once you know you have the problem file(s) identified, you can delete it/them to remove the problem from your game and continue playing without issue.

*If it's a file you can identify, you could Private Message (PM) or or e-mail the creator and tell them about it.  

*Please note that files which don't work in your game may work just fine in other people’s games - you may have another file which conflicts with it, the file got corrupted when you downloaded it, or it may not be compatible with the Expansion Packs you have. 

*Don't post or send accusing messages, such as "This file broke my game! Don't use it, everyone!!!" as that's just inflammatory and doesn't help the creator identify what the problem might be.  

*Give the creator as much information as you can: which expansion packs you have, what other hacks, mods and downloads, and what the problem was.  Most creators are grateful for bug reports, and you may be highlighting a problem they were unaware of.
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===If You Saved===
If, at any point, you had to save while sorting through your downloads, you should now restore the Neighborhoods folder that you backed up before you began this process, so all of the sims/lot contents that have reverted to defaults will go back to using your custom content...  You did back up like we told you to, didn't you?
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===Sort Your Downloads===

Also, you can sort out your downloads folder, so that you'll never have to do this again!  If you haven't already (though you should have if you actually followed this guide!), get [[Delphy's Download Organiser]] to categorize and sort your downloads.  You'll want to keep any Hacks, Hacked Objects, Majors, and Careers separate from your main downloads.  You may also want to keep any Default Replacements separate, so you can easily switch those out if you decide you'd like to use a different one.

===More Problems?===

If you find you keep getting problems, you may want to keep a separate folder in your Downloads for new downloads - call it something like "Quarantine" - then when you install new files, if you begin experiencing problems after installing new content, you can be reasonably sure the problem files are in the Quarantine folder.

If you seem to have problems that do not occur when your files are split into half it is possible that you have a GUID conflict. See [[Game Help:GUID Conflicts]] for more information.

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