Problem with Expansion packs

[michellebe597]

I have no trouble with downloadning and Install sims 3 base game, but when i install an expansion pack i cannot play sims 3 at all. It sats unknown error everytime i try to launch it... So freaking annonying. And i cant uninstall sims 3, so i have to delete it direct, and redo the installation, but it still doesnt help...

[puzzlezaddict · Accepted solution]

@michellebe597  The unknown error is inevitable if you're installing certain packs.  There are workarounds that help in almost all cases, but first, start with a clean uninstall of the entire game.  Since you've already installed packs, there will be some leftover hidden library files that TS3's built-in uninstaller didn't remove.  Here's how to clean them out:

https://bluebellflora.com/how-to-do-a-clean-uninstall-and-reinstall-on-a-mac/

Next, reinstall the base game only and run the Super Patch (digital download version) to manually patch the game to 1.67.  The launcher doesn't do a good job of patching on its own.

https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-manual-super-patch-for-mac-1-67/

Now, try to launch the base game.  If you still get an unknown error, let me know.  In that case, I'd also like to know the specs of your computer.  Here's how to find them:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-Mac/READ-FIRST-Sims-3-Mac-Help-Guides-and-Troubleshooting/m-p/475...

Otherwise, you can start adding your packs.  Four of them (Ambitions, Late Night, Fast Lane, and Outdoor Living) don't install correctly, so you'll have to apply two separate workarounds.  The first is easy: create an alias for each pack that doesn't already have one in Applications, alongside the alias for the base game.

https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-packs-not-showing-as-installed/

The second step is to copy a folder from each affected pack into the folder for your newest pack by the date EA released it.  This video shows you exactly how to do it:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-Mac/CURRENT-ISSUE-Sims-3-Unknown-Error-in-El-Capitan-Sierra-High/...

If you have any questions, or want more details, please don't hesitate to ask.  It would be helpful though to know your specs, as well as the packs you've installed already (at the point when you get stuck) and those you'd like to install going forward.

[puzzlezaddict · Accepted solution]

@michellebe597  The unknown error is inevitable if you're installing certain packs.  There are workarounds that help in almost all cases, but first, start with a clean uninstall of the entire game.  Since you've already installed packs, there will be some leftover hidden library files that TS3's built-in uninstaller didn't remove.  Here's how to clean them out:

https://bluebellflora.com/how-to-do-a-clean-uninstall-and-reinstall-on-a-mac/

Next, reinstall the base game only and run the Super Patch (digital download version) to manually patch the game to 1.67.  The launcher doesn't do a good job of patching on its own.

https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-manual-super-patch-for-mac-1-67/

Now, try to launch the base game.  If you still get an unknown error, let me know.  In that case, I'd also like to know the specs of your computer.  Here's how to find them:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-Mac/READ-FIRST-Sims-3-Mac-Help-Guides-and-Troubleshooting/m-p/475...

Otherwise, you can start adding your packs.  Four of them (Ambitions, Late Night, Fast Lane, and Outdoor Living) don't install correctly, so you'll have to apply two separate workarounds.  The first is easy: create an alias for each pack that doesn't already have one in Applications, alongside the alias for the base game.

https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-packs-not-showing-as-installed/

The second step is to copy a folder from each affected pack into the folder for your newest pack by the date EA released it.  This video shows you exactly how to do it:

https://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-Mac/CURRENT-ISSUE-Sims-3-Unknown-Error-in-El-Capitan-Sierra-High/...

If you have any questions, or want more details, please don't hesitate to ask.  It would be helpful though to know your specs, as well as the packs you've installed already (at the point when you get stuck) and those you'd like to install going forward.

[michellebe597]

THANK YOU! But if i get more packs than the packs i already have, can i then download and install them, even tho its not in the order they were released?

[puzzlezaddict]

@michellebe597  It should probably be fine to install the packs in any order.  You'll still have to apply one or both of the workarounds for the unknown error.  The first one (creating an alias for any pack that doesn't have one already) is only necessary if your new packs include one of the ones that don't install correctly.  The second workaround is necessary if you install a pack that's newer than your current newest one, again by the date EA released it.  Since the folders for the problem packs need to go into the folder for your newest pack, when what the newest pack is changes, you'll need to repeat the process.

If you do run into trouble, you can always manually uninstall your newest pack and reinstall it through Origin.  That should fix any issues related to installing out of order.  You'd need to apply the second workaround yet again, but it shouldn't be too much trouble.

https://bluebellflora.com/manually-uninstalling-an-expansion-or-stuff-pack-in-the-sims-3-for-mac/