Can't uninstall sims3packs via Launcher

I haven’t done anything unusual but my game got incredibly slow. I’m playing on a late 2009 MacBook Pro, which runs Sims 3 just fine. I’m using OS X Mavericks 10.9.2.

However, the last two times I was playing it was like I used some ancient computer:
- It took more than an hour for the game to load up (from the launcher to a household)
- instead of a few seconds, it took several minutes to get in into CAS
- and once I got there, every time I changed anything (even if I moved a slider just the slightest bit!), I had to wait for like half a minute, so creating a sim was a pain in the ass
- it took several minutes to load up the CAS sections, even if they were loaded before (like I chose a hair first, then went to the eyebrows then back to the hairs – it was just as slow as the first time I opened hairs)
- when I could finally move my new family to a house, it was a tiny bit better. I haven’t played in live mode, just build/buy. The items came up fairly quickly but scrolling or moving the camera angle was horribly slow

What I did prior to start the game (note that none of these is unusual, I do these almost every time I start playing):
- put some new .package files to the Mods/Packages folder (no new mods or hacks, just objects/CAS items. Though, some of these files were unpacked from .sims3packs by s3su or Sims3Pack Multi Installer to .package files)
- therefore clear the cache files (excluding world caches because deleting them causes a problem on Macs but including Thumbnails/CASThumbnails.package),
- use CleanMyMac to clear the caches of every application, including Sims 3 (what it does is to delete the content of the User/Library/Caches/com.transgaming.thesims3 and com.transgaming.thesims3ep09 folders)
- I installed Wine (it did cause some problems before)
- compressed some large .package files using Compressorizer 1.0 via Wine
- merged some .package files (not all of them, and only buy/build items) using s3pe via Wine
- deleted the contents of the FeaturedItems folder and made it read only
- deleted the contents of the DCBackup folder, excluding ccmerged.package
- I haven’t installed any new EPs or SPs
- I haven’t installed (or uninstalled) any new CC thru the launcher
- I quit all the other applications, so only the game was running (I even disconnected from the internet!)

My guesses:
- I only have about 47 gigs of free space – is it too little?
- first I thought regenerating cache files may slow down the game and CAS lags because I deleted CASThumbnails, so the game have to regenerate them when I’m in CAS. This was the first time I deleted CASThumbnails, I somewhat understand that after that CAS loading slowly but once it has loaded it shouldn’t stay that slow.

- I haven’t checked the .packages for corruption. I did a few days ago, everything was fine but I didn’t run a new check after downloading those few new files. Could corruption cause this big lag? (There might be some bug because on male sims, the pupils are white – I replaced my default eyes a few days ago.) I just checked, my default skintone was corrupt, so I replaced the file. I also fixed the eyes, at least I hope so.


Mod edit: Topic moved to "Mac support".

- Carlos

Hello,

My personal experiences about game performance is always the same. The Sims 3 is a problematic game. When you play a save file for some time, it gets slower and slower to opne CAS or travel around etc. However, there are tiny steps which you can try and can help a little over your game performance. 

My own tips are: 

Don't keep lots of stuff in your Sims' inventories.

Use a mod for disabling memories, it'll help to keep your save files in small size. You 
can use velocitygrass' awesome mod: http://measmusings.blogspot.com.tr/2013/05/three-different-ways-you-can-make-your.html
Also always use different save files, like saving your game seperate every time "Save1", "Save2" etc.

Also there are other tips to help you: http://measmusings.blogspot.com.tr/2013/05/three-different-ways-you-can-make-your.html

Also, try to use a few mods and packages. It's the main reason for a game to start working so slow. 

I hope it'll work for your game. Good luck!  

I can't uninstall any sims3packs because when I go to the Installed Content tab on the launcher and scroll a little bit, the game quits with the following error code:

Code:

Unhandled page fault on read access to 0x00000014 at address 0x1029760b.

I tried removing my Mods folder or creating a brand new Sims folder and putting back on the DCCache folder but neither of these helped.

Hello,

Did you delete the files in your "Downloads" folder as well?

Documents> Electronic Arts> The Sims 3> Downloads

Yes, I did. Though, there are two files there, nav.bin and FSIViewCountTracking (strangely, without extension).

I think I have a corrupt file but I just don't want to delete all my installed downloads. I followed the instructions I read on Nraas industries regarding uninstalling files. When I was working with only one .dbc file, I was able to uninstall items until I hit the corrupted one, which was dcdb5.dbc I think. When I put back that file, the launcher quit. Well, I could delete that file but that would mean I'll loose all the other downloads stored there.

//EDIT

Thanks, last time I tried to use different save files. I have loads of CC, I did merged most of the package files. Now it loads much faster (but still really slow) but gameplay is sill very laggy. I tried the tips from Mea's blog before but I'll have a look at that memory mod. The link is not working (or well, it does, but it's the same as the second one), could you find a link to this mod? Will it disable all the memories or just some of them? I like having memories of important things but I could really live without those stupid 'late from work' and other silly ones.

I see. Unfortunately, I can't give you much suggestions right now since I'm not too familiar with sims3packs.

I would personally rename my Electronic Arts folder and allow the game to create fresh data. After which I would transfer my saves over.

By the way, I have merged both your topics. Please do not create a new topic for each problem.  I hope you understand! As for your issue with lags, here are some solutions you may try too:

Solution 1: Reducing Game Memory Usage
- Lower your game resolution.
- Use the "Save As" option instead of "Save" to generate new "healthy" files.
- Keep your Sim's inventory as empty as possible.
- Disable "Memories" from your in-game options.
- Delete existing "Memories" with the Nraas MasterController. [NRAAS/Master Controller/Sim/Intermediate/Remove memories>Homeworld]
- Read this link that Phoebe has posted before. It has many suggestions on how you can reduce memory usage which are quite often the causes of crashes.


Solution 2: Defragment your Mac
- Yes, you read me right. Macs actually do need to be defragmented, especially if you have large files. The Sims 3 files usually get very fragmented during installation, which means it takes a long time for the Mac to read the files, causing lags and eventually crashes.
- I personally use iDefrag. It is a little pricey, but definitely a great investment if you intend to keep your Mac healthy for a long time. Otherwise, you can look for any other alternative you wish. 


Solution 3: Free-up Space in your Mac
- Clean up your files regularly and keep enough space in your Mac. It helps a lot!

Sorry, I thought they were two totally different issues.

If I have a new EA folder generated, can I move back not only the save files but also my CC? Or that wouldn't make sense because I'm putting everything (including the wrong stuff) back?

I'm using the save as option quite often now, disabled memories, deleted the existing ones (most of them). I read somewhere (maybe on Nraas?) that it's better to play in windowed mode because it's easier to force quite the game if needed and I have the ability to free up memory using a terminal command or a third-party app. I've been using Memory Clean for this but freeing up some RAM during gameplay wasn't that much of a relief.

Save files can be easily moved back.

However, I would not move the CCs back all at once since they might be causing the problems. It would take some trial and error for you to figure out if one of the CCs is giving you any problems.