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?

Are you able to get past the loading screen, to where you choose which neighborhood you would like to load?

No: I click the icon and nothing ever happens.
No: The game crashes while loading, before getting to the neighborhood chooser.
No: I get an error that says something about DirectX.
Yes: Go to next question...

Does the game crash or freeze once loaded?

If you are able to get the game loaded and choose a neighborhood, are you experiencing crashes after that?

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...

Are you getting an error message?

Are you experiencing popup errors when playing, with options for Cancel, Reset, and Delete?

Yes: I have the testingcheats on and I'm getting error messages.
No: Go to next question...

Is the problem with downloads or custom content?

Yes: I have a problem with installing custom content.
Yes: Custom content doesn't show up in my game.
Yes: Custom content shows up incorrectly.
Yes: Custom content flashes blue.
Yes: I need to find a piece of problem content.
Yes: I want to organize or clean up my content.
No: Go to next question...

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

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