Game Help:Halp!

Halp! Sims 2 doesn't work right!

The purpose of this guide is to resolve almost any problem related to The Sims 2. This guide does not cover general informative issues, but if you're having a real problem, this should lead you to a solution.

Go through in order. If you find the solution, you can stop there.

Is the game installed?

Have you gotten the game to install sucessfully?

• No: The problem is with installing. Game Help: Install
• Yes: Go to next question...

Does the problem relate to the game itself?

Is the problem related to running, playing, or otherwise using the game itself?

• No: The problem is with Body Shop. Game Help: Body Shop
• No: The problem is with uninstalling the game or expansions. Game Help: Uninstall
• Yes: Go to next question...

Does the game load?

• No: I click the icon and nothing ever happens.
• No: The game crashes while loading, before getting to the neighborhood chooser.
• Yes: Go to next question...

Does the game crash or freeze once loaded?

• Yes: The game crashes or freezes when loading a lot.
• Yes: The game crashes or freezes when loading Create-a-Family
• Yes: The game crashes or freezes when clicking on a lot in the lot bin
• Yes: The game crashes or freezes when viewing the buy or build mode catalog
• Yes: "The application has crashed. The application will now terminate."
• No: Go to next question...

Is the problem with custom content?

• Game crashes or freezes when loading or playing
• Game crashes or freezes when loading a lot
• Game crashes or freezes when clicking on a lot in the lot bin
• Game crashes or freezes when viewing buy or build mode catalog
• "The application has crashed. The application will now terminate."

Is the problem with Body Shop?

Is your issue related to Body Shop, used for creating sim-related content like eyes, skintones, clothing recolours, etc.? If NO, go to the next step. If YES:

• Body Shop won't run
• Body Shop crashes when loading
• Creations made in Body Shop are blurry or pixellated
• D3DERR_INVALIDCALL! Error
• Thumbnails are "shredded" or otherwise incorrect
• Body Shop tells me I don't have enough disk space, but I do.
• Body Shop takes forever to close
• Sims' hair cannot be changed in Body Shop
• Sims package but do not include any content
• Custom meshes package with sims

Is the problem with uninstalling the game?

Is your issue related to uninstalling the game or its expansion packs? If YES:

• Uninstalling deleted my downloads/sims/neighborhoods!
• Stops, freezes, or errors when trying to uninstall

Is the problem with Body Shop?

If you are having trouble with Body Shop:

• Body Shop

Installing/Uninstalling

• Stops or freezes when trying to install
• Errors in transferring when installing

Downloads and Custom Content

Installing Custom Content

• Don't know how to install custom content
• "This content requires Expansion Pack data that is not installed"

Doesn't show up

• All custom content doesn't show up
• Some custom content doesn't show up
• Custom content did show up, but doesn't now
• Custom content stopped showing up after installing a new expansion or stuff pack

Shows up Incorrectly

• Custom content looks like Maxis original content, blank heads, or bunny heads
• Custom content showing under the wrong category
• Naked sim bodies showing up in hair, accessories, etc.
• Custom content replaces Maxis content

Flashing Blue

• Blue flashing custom objects
• Blue flashing custom accessories

Crashing or Freezing

• Game crashes or freezes when loading or playing
• Game crashes or freezes when loading a lot
• Game crashes or freezes when clicking on a lot in the lot bin
• Game crashes or freezes when viewing buy or build mode catalog
• "The application has crashed. The application will now terminate."

Lag or Slowness

• Game takes forever to load with custom content in
• #4 (makeup, eyebrows, accessories) in CAS is really really slow
• Community lots take forever to load
• Community lots are really laggy
• Big lots are really laggy
• Takes forever to package a lot.
• Slow framerate, slow scrolling on lots, general lag and slow gameplay issues...

Sim-Related

• Sim is frozen or stuck in one position
• Sim is emitting bubbles, stink, or Zzzzs
• Sims' skin has "black gloves", is white with writing, or head and face don't match
• Installed sims don't show up
• Baby has another face on its forehead - freaky cyclops infants!
• Sims faces revert to defaults once moved onto a lot

Pet/Pets Expansion-Related

• Pets don't age...
• Pets sink into the floor.
• Pets pee microwaves
• Pet is stuck
• Pet is emitting bubbles, stink, or Zzzs
• Installed pets don't show up
• Werewolves don't get hairy

Open for Business-Related

• Cannot create a car dealership/sell cars on community lots.
• Cannot place custom objects on store shelves
• Misplaced restock signs appearing in the far corner of the lot

Lots

• Game crashes when clicking on a lot in the lot bin
• Installed lots won't show up
• Community lots take forever to load
• Community lots are really laggy
• Big lots are really laggy
• Takes forever to package a lot.
• Lot costs 1,156,498,467 Simoleans
• Lots won't load or crash when loading.

Buy Mode

• Cannot purchase an item in the catalogue (red background)
• Can't delete object recolours

Build Mode

• Doors and windows won't snap onto walls
• "Must place in center of tile" error when placing doors and windows
• Cannot place any walls whatsoever
• Can place tons of walls, but then it stops allowing placement of new walls
• Floor tiles are jumbled

Graphical

• Textures become blurred after a while of play
• Mirrors/thumbnails are blurry
• Red flashing walls and foundations after installing an expansion or stuff pack

Other

• Control panel disappeared
• The cheat box won't come up
• Plates disappear from sims hands
• Actions are disappearing from the queue
• Game is in 24 hour/military time
• No fish in the fishtank