Something I figured out after solving my Sims 4 crashing issue..

This might be common knowledge, but nevertheless, I'll share my experience in the hopes that it might help someone.

I've been using GFTW's ultimate fix for a good few years now (finally got around to making an account today). With that, I've gotten pretty good at understanding how to install the fixes properly, how the game works, and how to fix the common issues it has (especially the sims 3). That said, I haven't had any issues at all with the Sims 4, that is until I installed GFTW's entire sims 4 set. I'm not blaming GFTW for my issue; hear me out:

After downloading and **carefully** installing the GFTW versions of the sims 4 and all its DLC, my game was completely shutting down my computer upon loading my previously saved game. Not crashing to the desktop, not freezing, but completely shutting my computer down. Right away I knew it was either something I installed into my game or it was a hardware issue. After making sure my computer wasn't overheating and my graphics drivers were up to date, turning on v-sync, completely disabling windows defender, and running the sims 4 in windowed mode (with the graphics setting turned way down), the game kept turning my computer off upon loading my save. At that point, I was sure it wasn't any hardware problem I was having (remember my game was working fine until I installed the all the sims 4 GFTW content). 

Basically what happened was my save from the non-GFTW version of the sims 4, which was a single lot in the tray folder that I made myself (spencer mansion, it was pretty awesome) was what did it. Also, I've noticed that I can't load any newer homes (made by maxis in the gallery) without the game turning my computer off. I think it has something to do with the latest updates, I don't know. 

Is this making sense? Is it helpful? Has this happened to anyone else?

sweeteizus wrote:This might be common knowledge, but nevertheless, I'll share my experience in the hopes that it might help someone.

I've been using GFTW's ultimate fix for a good few years now (finally got around to making an account today). With that, I've gotten pretty good at understanding how to install the fixes properly, how the game works, and how to fix the common issues it has (especially the sims 3). That said, I haven't had any issues at all with the Sims 4, that is until I installed GFTW's entire sims 4 set. I'm not blaming GFTW for my issue; hear me out:

After downloading and **carefully** installing the GFTW versions of the sims 4 and all its DLC, my game was completely shutting down my computer upon loading my previously saved game. Not crashing to the desktop, not freezing, but completely shutting my computer down. Right away I knew it was either something I installed into my game or it was a hardware issue. After making sure my computer wasn't overheating and my graphics drivers were up to date, turning on v-sync, completely disabling windows defender, and running the sims 4 in windowed mode (with the graphics setting turned way down), the game kept turning my computer off upon loading my save. At that point, I was sure it wasn't any hardware problem I was having (remember my game was working fine until I installed the all the sims 4 GFTW content). 

Basically what happened was my save from the non-GFTW version of the sims 4, which was a single lot in the tray folder that I made myself (spencer mansion, it was pretty awesome) was what did it. Also, I've noticed that I can't load any newer homes (made by maxis in the gallery) without the game turning my computer off. I think it has something to do with the latest updates, I don't know. 

Is this making sense? Is it helpful? Has this happened to anyone else?

Hello @sweeteizus and welcome to the Forum,

Do you mean you had a lot in your G4TW-version of The Sims 4, that came from a legit copy of the game (Origin), and this lot caused the shutdowns? If so, that is the first time I am hearing about such a thing. 

I had a lot from a different pirated version of the Sims 4 that I loaded into my freshly installed GFTW version of the Sims 4, and *it* made my computer shut down. Also, when I load any houses from the latest patch (made by maxis in the gallery) it causes the same crash as well.

I hope I'm making sense, let me know if you need more clarification and I'll do my best.

Also, thanks for the welcome!!

I think it's probably important to add that the lot was created before the latest patch. I created it in August '16 so I'm pretty sure that was either before or right after the get-together crack. Either way, the torrent/crack I got wasn't from GFTW.

Maybe it was the fact that I moved the files from a previous save of the sims 4 (not from GFTW) that didn't match the latest patch that I installed with the GFTW version..? Maybe somehow the files were incompatible and caused that crash? I have no idea.

Could it be that your previous Sims-4 DLC;s were in 3DM-format ?
G4TW uses the Reloaded crack and that is not compatibel with 3DM.
We cannot comment on downloads from other sources as we haven't tested these.

Tarac wrote:Could it be that your previous Sims-4 DLC;s were in 3DM-format ?
G4TW uses the Reloaded crack and that is not compatibel with 3DM.
We cannot comment on downloads from other sources as we haven't tested these.

Okay, now we *might* be getting somewhere. I don't know anything about 3DM format. Could you explain? Maybe that is my issue.

sweeteizus wrote:
Okay, now we *might* be getting somewhere. I don't know anything about 3DM format. Could you explain? Maybe that is my issue.

3DM is a 'scene group' also known for cracking various games; they used to crack TS4 back then before RELOADED did. These 3DM-versions required that Origin was running in Offline-mode, in order to play that cracked TS4. If you look at the Game\Bin install directory of such a release, look for something that says "3DM", among the files.

But apart from that, I think they stopped cracking the game once RELOADED started doing so, in late 2014.

I bookmarked the thread and will update the existing guide about game crashings, with this.

Okay, forget I said anything. The same crash happened when I loaded a completely different game just now. 

sweeteizus wrote:Okay, forget I said anything. The same crash happened when I loaded a completely different game just now. 

Try this: if your Windows is a 64-bit, move your installation folder of "The Sims 4" away from Program files (x86). Personally I would suggest the location C:\Program files instead, but you can have it on the desktop as well for example. Or maybe an external hard-drive too.

Either way, try running the game from both the TS4.exe and the TS4_x64.exe. And make sure to run the game as Administrator every time (right-click -> run as Administrator).

See if you notice any differences.

No, it wasn't the Sims 4 that crashed my computer this time, it was a different game altogether, but the same crash that shut down my computer. Sorry for not being more clear about that in my last update. Ugh. I think my graphics card is giving out; it stopped crashing after I turned the graphics way down. It's weird because it used to run that game just fine on high settings before. My computer is 5 years old. Time for a new one I guess.

sweeteizus wrote:No, it wasn't the Sims 4 that crashed my computer this time, it was a different game altogether, but the same crash that shut down my computer. 

Did you get a "bluescreen"?

Edit: in your previous post, I indeed thought you were talking about "loading a different [save]game (in TS4)"...

Nope, as soon as I hit the "load game" button on this other PC game (dead island ) the computer shut down. No blue screen, just an immediate shut off. Like I literally have to push the power button on the tower and turn it back on.

sweeteizus wrote:Nope, as soon as I hit the "load game" button on this other PC game (dead island  ) the computer shut down. No blue screen, just an immediate shut off. Like I literally have to push the power button on the tower and turn it back on.

Yes, at this point you should probably have your hardware checked thoroughly. If you like, keep us posted about your progress here! 

sweeteizus wrote:Nope, as soon as I hit the "load game" button on this other PC game (dead island ) the computer shut down. No blue screen, just an immediate shut off. Like I literally have to push the power button on the tower and turn it back on.

I don't know this game but do you have any custom content (mods) in that game ?

Did you checked your thermal paste lately?

Maybe your PC shut down every time your processor or your grafic card  raises temperature.Im sorry for my **** english i hope you understand what i try to say

Renesis wrote:Did you checked your thermal paste lately?

Isn't that a bit too technical ?
I don't know many people checking this, unless they've custom-build a PC
In a normal PC bought in a shop this won't be neccessary.

Yes, one should always check the ventilationslots in a PC or laptop for dust clogging up.
Don't place a PC in a cramped cupboard with no ventilation
Don't use a laptop on a soft underground such as blankets, rugs, beds or even your lap.

Tarac wrote:Isn't that a bit too technical ?
I don't know many people checking this, unless they've custom-build a PC
In a normal PC bought in a shop this won't be neccessary.

Yes, one should always check the ventilationslots in a PC or laptop for dust clogging up.

My current (old) PC is also a 'normal' one, yet I replace thermal paste on the graphics card in somewhat regular intervals as well. You could also use a more solid connection between the graphics chip and the heatsink: e.g. some graphics cards have a small copper plate instead of thermal paste.

Heck, I even tried using toothpaste for a while as a thermal paste substitute, and although it doesn't last as long as real paste, it is a decent-enough temporary fix. 

The_gh0stm4n wrote:My current (old) PC is also a 'normal' one, yet I replace thermal paste on the graphics card in somewhat regular intervals as well. You could also use a more solid connection between the graphics chip and the heatsink: e.g. some graphics cards have a small copper plate instead of thermal paste.

Heck, I even tried using toothpaste for a while as a thermal paste substitute, and although it doesn't last as long as real paste, it is a decent-enough temporary fix. 

I have several PC's running 24/7, only rebooting from time to time as Windows seem to collect a lot of garbage, and I never ever felt the need to check the thermal paste.
One of these PC's is over 8 years old. Never had any problems and it's still going strong.

its not technical at all if you have some basic knowledge of hardware,i mean where is every part of your tower,grafic card,prossesor,ram,hard disk blablabla.If you cant  do it your self maybe a friend or someone else can do it for you.Its very easy and its very important to change the paste every few months if you use your computer a lot.

I just thought that this could help you cus i had almost the same problem in the past.Suddenly shut down every time i was tring to open a game.Maybe its smthing else i dont know,but maybe it can be a solution to your problem

Renesis wrote:its not technical at all if you have some basic knowledge of hardware,i mean where is every part of your tower,grafic card,prossesor,ram,hard disk blablabla.If you cant  do it your self maybe a friend or someone else can do it for you.Its very easy and its very important to change the paste every few months if you use your computer a lot.

I am familiar with these things, but I fear that most visitors of G4TW-forum are not.
And as I stated before, I have a PC running already for over 8 years 24/7 and never changed the paste.
Make sure there is enough ventilation and that you regulary clean the inlet and outlet slots.

In the 80's of last century I had a computer that sometimes wouldn't even start up on hot days, so I used a ventilator to blow extra air into the computer.
Nevertheless, that PC (running on CCPM) lasted for more than 20 years. It never broke down but i ditched it because of being completely outdated.

Yes, checking for paste is important when you are overclocking, but again, not many G4TW visitors are doing that

Well i had this idea when i saw your post and i thought that maybe i could help somehow.I hope you will find a solution to your problem soon my friend 

Renesis wrote:Well i had this idea when i saw your post and i thought that maybe i could help somehow.I hope you will find a solution to your problem soon my friend 

I appreciate your comments, and maybe it was the cause for the problems, but in my opinion the chance that paste would be the culprit will be very remote.