Game Help:TS3 Patching/Invalid File Error

I am getting an "Invalid File Error" when I try to install the patch!

Read before proceeding! The fix method below of replacing the files from the DVD may not be applicable anymore, as the file(s) may have been modified by earlier patches. However, if you had done a backup of the whole "Electronic Arts" in Program Files before patching, you may try replacing with this backup version instead of the one from the DVD. From patch 1.22 onwards, using the individual incremental patches instead of the SuperPatcher may also result in this error message. Solution is to use the SuperPatcher.

• Choosing an Incremental from the wrong Region or the wrong "_from_xx.xx.xx" file is also how most "Invalid File" errors occur.
• This error is most likely caused by one of the "core" game files being overwritten or changed by a mod or yourself.
• Examples of such changed files are:
  • Ini files (custom weather and lighting)
  • Custom music
  • Changed EXE files (see last section below)

To fix this, you'll need to know which file is incorrect.

• The following programs will be able to find exactly which file is producing the error(s) and you will be able to restore it from your back-ups (which you should have handy) or from your game itself. Download the programs here:
  • Patch 1.7/2.2 and below
    • Sims_3_Patch_Log_Viewer (.NET 2.0)
    • Sims_3_Patch_Log_Viewer (.NET 3.5)
  • Patch 1.8/2.3
    • Sims_3_Patch_Log_Viewer (.NET 3.5)

• Don't worry, the program is made by Delphy and tested by Qbuilderz. The program will find your patch log and tell you, in a red font color at the bottom, your errors.

After restoring whichever files that were flagged, open that TEMP path in Windows Explorer and delete the folders containing the rtpatch.log file.

Locating the "rtpatch.log" manually

• In Windows Explorer's address bar: enter "%temp%", without the quotes.
• Sort the files by date, and locate a folder with some cryptic name within braces. Eg: "{C59CB896-40E2-4004-AE7B-AD29EF181E25}". The folder names will be different everytime you run the patch.
• Drill down twice (there's another folder within this one), until you see "rtpatch.log".
• Open that in Notepad or any text editor.
• Scroll (or Press CTRL+END) to go to the end of the file.
• The last few lines will tell you the file that is causing this error.

How to restore files the patcher complains about

• Open 2 windows, and go to the "\Game\Bin\ path from each location" -
  • C: and
  • your DVD drive.
• Then just copy+paste replace the file(s) like this (if you have to do other files, just adapt the filenames as appropriate). Some files do not need renaming.
  • in the "C:\Program Files(x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\" window:
    • right-click on "Sims3Launcher.exe", select Cut
  • on your Desktop
    • right-click in an empty area on your Desktop and select Paste
    • right-click on Sims3Launcher.exe, select Rename
    • append ".orig" at the end so the filename becomes "Sims3Launcher.exe.orig"
  • in the "<DVD drive:>\Game\Bin" window:
    • select the "Sims3Launcher.ex_" file in DVD path
    • right-click, select Copy
  • back on your Desktop
    • right-click in an empty area on your Desktop and select Paste
    • right-click on "Sims3Launcher.ex_", select Rename
    • change ".ex_" at the end to ".exe"
    • select the newly renamed "Sims3Launcher.exe" file
    • right-click, select Copy
  • back in the "C:\Program Files(x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\" window
    • right-click in an empty area and select Paste

Pirated Copies and No-CD Cracks

• This error can also be caused by using pirated copies, especially the pre-release version, as well as those using no-CD cracks. There is no fix for people using these illegal options, and you will need to purchase a legal copy and use the discs if you wish to patch your game.