I was fortunate not to reinstall the whole game, all of the mods and all of the store stuff after I patched the game.
But I did have crashing problems and traced the problems to
one mod that hasn't been updated since Sims 3 was either released as a legal game or as a leaked game. It's Rick's "
enablescripterror" file that Pescado uploaded ages ago in the AM thread.
If you have crashing issues and have Rick's "[/b]enablescripterror[/b]" file in the Mods/Packages folder, take that one out.
I don't think it's necessary at this point to have it installed unless it's verified the file needs to be updated for this latest patch or not.
What it does? Basically to allow players to debug the glitches and generate error logs if any when the game encounters a problem. I don't know if it is necessary at this point to have it installed or updated since there is now a tool to run for mod compatibility, lessening the crashes and mod conflicts. Word hasn't been out whether it will be updated or needed after this patch.
Steps To A Reasonably Safe Patching:
1. Download the patch from wherever you get your patches from for your region.
2. Remove the Mods folder from your game:
Usually for XP:
C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Mods
For Vista:
Similar to the location above
For Mac:
Someone with a Mac should provide the exact location for those of you who have Sims 3 on Mac.
3. Patch the game.
4. Go into the following location and delete all of the .cache files:
C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3
Or wherever the location is for your OS.
5. Start up the game and then start a new town.
*This way, the game will re-create the .cache files.
6. Exit the game without saving.
7. Put the Mods folder back where you had it in the first place.
8. If you have Rick's "
enablescripterror" file, leave it out of the Mods/Packages folder.
9. Start up the game and then start a new town.
10. Exit the game without saving.
11. Check to make sure the files are in order and check to make sure you have the latest updates for any mod that may be affected by the new patch for Sims 3.
Hope these instructions will help a lot. Thanks to Sharpener from MATY for providing one of the few solutions. This solution worked for me.
**Updated**
Rick released a new version of the
enablescripterror file for Sims 3 patched with 1.3x (latest patch).