Game not recognizing EP?

[krazzed]

I have University, Nightlife, Open for Business, and Family Fun Stuff. I had University, Open for Business and Family fun stuff installed and working fine. But then i just got Nightlife and i installed it and the game wouldnt read it. So i uninstalled all of my EPs and now its all working fine, but my University isnt working now! I have no clue what is going on. Can anybody help me?

[BeosBoxBoy]

Krazzed:

The installers are a notorous pain in the nethers.  "False positives" of the install happen to me about 1/3 tries.  I suspect it has to do with EA's emphasis on copyright protection rather than ease of use here.

Generally what I do and recommend is this:

• Install the base game
• Patch the game with the base game patch from http://thesims2.ea.com/update/
  
• Play the game a few minutes to make sure it is installed properly
• Exit the game
• Reboot the computer
• Install the University EP
• Patch the game with the University patch from http://thesims2.ea.com/update/
  
• Play the game a few minutes to make sure it is installed properly, create a university campus, etc

• If it works, all is well
• If something isn't right, un-install the EP and repeat the install and test til it does work

• Exit the game
• Reboot the computer
• Install the Nightlife EP
• Patch the game with the Nightlife patch from http://thesims2.ea.com/update/
  
• Play the game a few minutes to make sure it is installed properly, create a downtown, etc

• If it works, all is well
• If something isn't right, un-install the EP and repeat the install and test til it does work

• Exit the game
• Reboot the computer
• Install the Open for Business EP
• Patch the game with the OfB patch from http://thesims2.ea.com/update/
  
• Play the game a few minutes to make sure it is installed properly, create a shopping village, etc

• If it works, all is well
• If something isn't right, un-install the EP and repeat the install and test til it does work

• Exit the game
• Reboot the computer
• Install any stuff packs
• Patch the game with the Family Fun Stuff patch from http://thesims2.ea.com/update/ if you install it
  
• Play the game a few minutes to make sure it is installed properly, create a family with funny clothes, build a mansion, etc

• If it works, all is well
• If something isn't right, un-install the stuff pack and repeat the install and test til it does work

• Exit the game
• Reboot the computer
• Enter the game and connect to the Exchange and download one item
• Exit the game
• Enter the game and turn on Custom Content
• Exit the game
• Download and install CEP from MTS2: http://cep.modthesims2.com/
  
• Restore any Downloads you have archived, be cautious with hacks/mods as these are often EP-sensitive
• Restore any back-ups of neighbourhoods
• Cross fingers
• Start game and enjoy

You will note I do not list Pets EP here.... It should be no surprise to anyone that I hate the Pets EP with a passion that is candid and boundless.

[krazzed]

i bet that will take a while. But one thing i just noticed, when i installed university (and when i keep trying to reinstall it) it freezes after it says that it will make sure the game is up to date. It just has a little box that says please wait, then it freezes up my computer. I have no clue why.

[BeosBoxBoy]

that is why it is important to patch the game before the install of Uni EP - this way it will skip through that quickly - if you turn off your anti-virus it will also help

[krazzed]

ah ok, i will try turning off my antivirus, because i cant figure out how to unblock stuff