"Error During Startup". Game Won't Start. Nothing Works. Please Help!

I used to play this game all the time. I have installed this game on multiple computers over a number of years multiple times, but this is a first for me. 

I downloaded and installed the entire "The Sims 3 The Complete Collection" package from G4TW, like I always do. Followed every instruction to the letter. tried to start the game with the desktop shortcut, then got this pop up....



I looked all up and down the forums here and found a few topics similar to this, but they mentioned stuff I don't know how to do, and would flat out refuse to do because I'm afraid I might hurt my computer as a whole. I downloaded and attempted to install the "Ultimate Fix" that is supposed to work with version 1.67, but I still get the same pop up whenever I tried to run from the desktop shortcut. I don't know what else to do, because this has never happened to me before, and I am not normally on this website participating in the forums because I have never once had a problem with any game from you guys before. So can you please help me with this?

Thanx in advance

Hello,

EthanX wrote:I downloaded and installed the entire "The Sims 3 The Complete Collection" package from G4TW, like I always do.

This embedded clause that I highlighted in bold red font, above ("like I always do"). What does that mean? Did you imply that you installed the game earlier on this computer? If yes, then it could be part of the problem.

Some ideas: did you install all of the DLC (expansions, stuffpacks), or only a few of them? Did you apply the 1.67 manual patch, before applying the Ultimate Fix (these items are included in the #Crack folder)? Or did you maybe download that newer "all-in-one"; with that automated installer?

Another issue is this here:

EthanX wrote:I looked all up and down the forums here and found a few topics similar to this, but they mentioned stuff I don't know how to do, and would flat out refuse to do because I'm afraid I might hurt my computer as a whole.

And in principle that is fine. I am also careful about stuff that I do not know much about, not just in the area of computers. But regardless of that, you are implying that you did not try these possible solutions that are mentioned in some topics. On the one hand you say you are in need of help, but then you cannot or do not want to try these solutions yourself. Again, I can understand this may be daunting for some people to do. But there really isn't much else to say. In fact, I would not know of another solution, besides what can be found already on these Forums.

You know, you're absolutely right. I apologize for not being clear enough.

Okay, I downloaded the complete collection from this website (I have no idea what this "All in one" version is, unfortunately). Here's the thing.....yes, it was installed previously on this computer. Worked fine. But then I recently bought a new hard drive, and I'm installing all of my games on there. I uninstalled the entire package and then re-installed it on my new hard drive (not my usual C drive). I didn't install the store or anything else. Just the entire complete collection that comes with the download from here. And yes, I installed the patch to make it version 1.67. I just today tried to use the Ultimate Fix, but only got the same error message. But again, I don't even know what the all in one pack is, so I never touched it.

Secondly, I'm not too knowledgeable about the inner workings of computers, so I try to keep everything as simple as possible, so if there are ever any problems, I usually know ow to handle them. It's definitely not a case of me not trying to take any help that was already mapped out. Not in the least. I'm just SCARED to do what I saw. One person did something to his registry. I never, and I mean EVER go into my registry, because I don't know anything about it, what it does, or what could happen if I touch anything in there. So I didn't follow that method that person spoke about. I hope that clears that up.

I don't think i missed anything. If I did, please let me know. Do you have any solutions for what the problem might be?

Hello again,

I was going to respond yesterday, but got sidetracked by other stuff. 

So, the disc-based versions of the game (essentially all the official G4TW repacks) install a bunch of registry entries, plus some other hidden folders under C:\Program Files (x86)\InstallShield Installation Information.

It's possible that due to some hiccup not everything was removed/un-installed.

If you can't get this particular version working, and you really want to play a DRM-free TS3 game, there may be something else you can try. But first off, you'll have to try and do this here:
https://www.games4theworld.club/t19018-un-installing-the-sims-3-a-reference-guide

I know this is tedious to read, but doing all of that will make sure to properly remove all stuff related to the game. Don't forget to re-boot the PC (!), after completing the manual un-install.

There is, then, a newer repack here, from @anadius. It appears to be based on the Steam version of the game, which I believe does not use any special registry entries. Assuming it works the same way as all other Steam games do. What this means is, that it should greatly reduce or even make it impossible for  these registry errors to occur. Again, I am not familiar with the Steam version of TS3, since I myself only used these disc-based versions all the time.

It's an avenue to consider, nonetheless. Good luck for now, and if anything else comes up, just post a follow-up reply here. We'll then try our best, as (almost) always. 



//EDIT


Sorry, I forgot to post the link to anadius' newer TS3 repack:
https://www.games4theworld.club/t34984-the-sims-3-v1-67-2-024037-all-dlcs-selectable-21-languages-anadius-repack

Okay, I clicked on the link for the uninstall method you mentioned. I'm using Revo Uninstaller. I'm uninstalling each expansion pack one by one and gonna uninstall the base game last. I'm doing this right now as I type this, and I'm also doing a bunch of other computer stuff,, so I'm gonna have to give an update when I'm done.

Alright, I went through all the steps. Some stuff didn't show up at all after the initial uninstall with Revo. But I went through everything. About to reboot. Gonna give another update when I finally get everything re-installed again on my new hard drive and NOT my original C drive. It's gonna take me a while to re-install all those expansion packs, so you're gonna have to give me some time.

Take your time.

I'm still here...just keep getting caught up with stuff. I'm about to start installing in a few since I need to leave the house in a little bit.

Okay, my update....I installed everything EXCEPT Island Paradise, because of some weird glitch that comes with it that makes the game freeze. Found that out the hard way a while back, so I didn't include it. I double clicked on the desktop icon and the game launcher is up on the screen right now. Seems fine. So right now I'm trying to install "The Complete Store" that I got from G4TW" one by one. The only weird thing that has happened thus far is an error popup that said something about my graphics card is not recognized and it recommends that I lower my settings so that I don't have any problems. I haven't played the game yet, so I don't know if this is gonna be an issue or not. I will try to start the game after I get all the Complete Store items installed and the Future Shock Set installed.

So far, so good

EthanX wrote:Okay, my update....I installed everything EXCEPT Island Paradise, because of some weird glitch that comes with it that makes the game freeze. 

If your computer is powerful enough (it fulfills more than the recommended system requirements), then I believe it's possible to roll with it. There was something though...feel free to google for "Ellecharmed fixed worlds". Or I think there was also a topic on the Forum here:
https://www.games4theworld.club/t29256-the-sims-3-reduce-lag-with-fixed-worlds-by-ellacharmed

These worlds' have been improved compared to the default ones, in that their routing paths are better, which in turn should reduce the lag.

Also note that because I mentioned system requirements at the beginning: putting in all the store items will put an additional load on your computer, which WILL be felt. My own PC is more than powerful enough for The Sims 3, but in case it's not powerful for you, maybe you'll have to make some compromises.

Okay...sorry about the long delay. Things got really crazy on my side, so i had to shut everything down and handle a few things.

After going through all the instructions and everything, the game is fully installed and seems to be working fine. the "complete store" collection seems to be cooperating. All I have left to add in is the Future Shock set, because I absolutely cannot live without some of those items.....lol. My computer is definitely powerful enough to run this game at the highest settings. That pop up just caught me off guard. 

Thank you so much for all your help....and patience...lol. If anything else pops up, I'll just update this topic.

Much appreciated!