Sims 4 Base game installation error. [SOLVED]

I've read the installation guide several times in advance, but my problem doesn't seem to be covered there, so i made this account hoping i might find some help... FYI, i don't have any experience with forums, so i hope i put this post in the right category.

First: A big thank to everyone working on the G4TW team! You guys are real life savers.

Second, some context: I first got S4 (from he G4TW downloads page) when City Living was fairly new. The base game and first two expansions worked perfectly, and the only problems i had came from my very old, very busted laptop causing some lag. No biggie, i'm used to laggy games and it doesn't bother me that much. But after installing City Living, the game just wouldn't work. It would crash 10 minutes into the game. But only the actual game: i could leave it running for hours in CAH and it wouldn't even freeze (i tried it). I ended up uninstalling the game after a while, and in a fit of compulsive file deletion i got rid of the install files. Oops.

But since there's more content/updates now i was hoping that by having a more recent version of the game, the CL errors would stop. So i recently downloaded the base game from your download's page, but now i'm having problems installing it.

I can't get past the installation, actually. The installer gets stuck on a "updating components registry" screen, or something like that (mine is in spanish, so i'm trying my best to translate it here...), just like this:

Then, after about 30-40 minutes of that, it just tells me that the installer "is not responding", and gives me the options to either try again or shut it down. Even shutting it down causes problems (it doesn't shut down properly, so i can't open the installer again), and i end up rebooting my laptop. Does anyone know what's causing this, and how i can fix it? I've tried at least three times just today.


In case it's relevant: I don't have internet at home, so my laptop's completely offline as the game tries to install. I downloaded it at someone else's place, picked it up in a usb stick when it was done, and copied it to my computer. Also, i tried installing it to my D drive, since it never gave me the out-of-disk-space error this or any other time i've installed G4TW games. I'm going to try it on my C drive now.

Thanks in advance!

[EDIT] Tried to install to C drive, but the same error.

Hello @G-Rabbit and welcome to the Forum,

At this point I'm afraid I cannot say much, other than asking you whether you made sure to use WinRAR for extracting the downloads. But since you said you used those downloads in the past already, I guess you did.

The reason this basegame was packed the way it looks, is because back then we did not know what the DLC would look like. So we came up with this custom installer that should normally work.

Please try installing the C++ runtimes (from the game), which I uploaded separately here:
https://goo.gl/kDSDPa

If you have a 32-bit Windows system, only run the vcredist_x86.exe. If you have a 64-bit Windows, use both files. Then try installing the base game again.

Installation should be simple, and you just need to extract the folder from the .rar to wherever you want the game. Preferably C:\Program files or C:\Program files (x86). Note, if you want the other DLC, you still have to install them in order according to the TS4 Must-Read.
https://games4theworld.forumotion.com/t21806-must-read-how-to-install-the-sims-4-correctly

Good luck!

The_gh0stm4n wrote:Please try installing the C++ runtimes (from the game), which I uploaded separately here:

I will try that,thank you! If it doesnt work i'll let you know. I'll also try copying the .rar file again, in case i got a bad file somehow. If not i'll just try redownloading, though i hope it won't come to that.

I'm imagining that the error could be due to some leftover registry entries and/or files.

One other thing that could be considered is going in the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Wow6432Node -> Maxis -> The Sims 4. Delete that registry key "The Sims 4". In case you did not know already, you can press the Windows key + R, type "regedit" and hit enter - which will open the registry.

Other than that, good luck!

I will give that a try. I ended up re-downloading the game anyway, since installing the C++ runtimes didn't change anything.

G-rabbit wrote:I will give that a try. I ended up re-downloading the game anyway, since installing the C++ runtimes didn't change anything.

*sigh*

So far i've tried every suggestion save for the "fixed base game", and i keep having the exact same error I even deleted the Sims 4 folder with my saved games and stuff from My Documents, rebooted the laptop, tried installing again, and it's still stuck on the same thing. Even after downloading the install files again.

I might try the fixed one after all. Would i still be able to install the updates/expansions?

The_gh0stm4n wrote:I'm imagining that the error could be due to some leftover registry entries and/or files.

One other thing that could be considered is going in the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> Software -> Wow6432Node -> Maxis -> The Sims 4. Delete that registry key "The Sims 4". In case you did not know already, you can press the Windows key + R, type "regedit" and hit enter - which will open the registry.

Other than that, good luck!

In addition to above:
In the registry go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE ->Maxis and delete the folder The Sims 4  (so not in Wow6432Node).
Delete the folder on your computer where you installed the Sims 4 in (C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 4)
Delete the folder you moved the Sims 4 to after installation, f.e. C:\Program Files\The Sims 4
Re-install Base Game and once installed, MOVE (not copy) the folder The Sims 4 out of C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts to any other location on your computer or even external disk.
Don't move it to a directory called Origin, Origin Games or Electronic Arts. That location is from now on your install directory.
Re-install the other DLC's in the correct order to this install directory. (Get to Work, Get Together, City Living, Toddlers)

When you have installed Toddlers, delete the folder Game from your install directory and recopy the folder Game again from your Toddlers download to the install directory.
Then continue with the Parenthood, Fitness, Toddlers Stuff, Cats & Dogs, Laundry Day Stuff.

I'll do that now. This is really bizarre, because I've deleted literally every trace of the game from my computer from past installs, and still can't get past the installer.


//EDIT


Did all of the above and opened the setup, and it's still stuck on the same "updating components registration" screen. I'll wait a while and see if it crashes again. How long is this step supposed to take, generally? Or does it vary from machine to machine? 
If it still doesn't work, i'll try the "fixed base game".

G-rabbit wrote:Did all of the above and opened the setup, and it's still stuck on the same "updating components registration" screen. I'll wait a while and see if it crashes again. How long is this step supposed to take, generally? Or does it vary from machine to machine?
If it still doesn't work, i'll try the "fixed base game".

It's a pity we can no longer communicate via private mail on this forum.
Your problem can easily be solved by downloading an "all-in" version of the Sims 4 whereby registration is not required.

Am I right in presuming that you have the Sims 4 installed on another computer and working fine ?
Copy the Sims 4 - install folder - from that computer to the computer you have problems with.

I haven't tried installing it elsewhere yet, no. Was going to, but never got around to it. There's another laptop here I can try it on, though.
What's this "all in" version? If it's too heavy it would be a little troublesome to download, but a few days of waiting would be worth it.

//EDIT

Hello again and sorry to make so many posts. I'm installing it on the other laptop and so far it's going without a hitch. After I copy the folder to my own laptop, should I run the installer again?

G-rabbit wrote:Hello again and sorry to make so many posts. I'm installing it on the other laptop and so far it's going without a hitch. After I copy the folder to my own laptop, should I run the installer again?

So did you end up using now the "fixed" base game, or are you still using the regular base game release from G4TW? If you plan on installing expansions, then don't run the installer again, after you copy the install folder "The Sims 4" back. I would recommend installing up to City Living at least. That way you don't need to install those registry entries anymore, as they will be created by the game itself.

I'm using the regular one, actually. I don't have the expansions yet, so would I be able to pay the base game alone after I copy the folder?

I actually am not 100% sure, but feel free to grab the registry entries that I uploaded here:
https://goo.gl/iidX5R

Double-click on the file, ignore the warning(s) and import the entries.

The "fixed" base game that we uploaded actually has similar file(s) included in the downloaded, but you should be able to do it that way here, as well. Witht hese entries the game will be in English though.

Finally some good news! Copying the install folder and importing the registry entries did the trick. I've been playing for a few hours now without a hitch. Thank you so much for your help and patience.

G-rabbit wrote:Finally some good news! Copying the install folder and importing the registry entries did the trick. I've been playing for a few hours now without a hitch. Thank you so much for your help and patience.

Alright, it seems your original problem has been resolved now. If you want additional DLC, go from there, and copy/paste those files over your base game installation. Have fun with the game, and don't hesitate to get back in touch with us again, anytime. Problem solved, topic closed.