Game Won't Load

[Diamond-Heart]

Yesterday I was using the game fine all day, then I came back after I went to the store, and it got to the video sequence thing before it starts to load, did the loading thing where it tells you the things it's loading, then it just totally stops and it's like the game quits after that. I have tried loading it again over and over, I've tried restarting my computer, and nothing works. Help? Has this happened to anyone else? Do you know what to do? Any suggestions on what to do or what the problem is? Anything at all would be appreciated! Thanks!

[Belongstoasailor]

Did you try deleting the groups.cache files in the EA Games folder?

That always makes my game work.  Hope it helps!

[LynSky]

Something like that happened to me like 3 months ago, I woke up one morning, finding that my game doesn't run. but I think it was because of something I downloaded, because I've tried and tried (uninstalling my last EP, restarting my PC, etc) and nothing, but when I finally decided to delete all my custom content, the game was running again. That worked for me.

Now I've been downloading things again, and have lots! I think I have more now than the last time, but my game is still fine, normal. So I think it was because of some custom content.


(I'm sorry for my very bad english, I'm still learning. ^^')

[Rainy321]

I'm having the exact problem as Diamond-Heart. I can't bring myself to delete files yet. I'll try deleting the groups.cache files. I hope it helps. I haven't played for 3 days!!! I'm having Sim withdrawal. So wish me luck!! Thanx

[Theraven]

you don't have to delete the downloads. only remove then to a folder outside the EA games folder. then they won't conflict, and you can move them back if you want to use them later.

[timberario]

omgoodness!  this thread just saved my life!  my game wouldn't even get to the loading screen.  but then i deleted groups.cache and eureka!

what is groups.cache anyway?

[Theraven]

one of the file that remakes itself (or grow bigger) when you start the game again. can't say for sure what it stores of information, but I think it's got something to do with the simmies themselves.

I recently discovered that one of the thumbnails files in the thumbnails folder had grew to 200 mb (the one named CAS). now i've deleted all five files (not the folder!), and for the first time the override recolors of some maxis clothing I had is showing their correct color. (it takes the game some time to remake the thumbnails - just a small time lag, a few seconds each time I change the page of furniture/clothes.)

you can also safely delete the .cache files and the cigen.package file

[Belongstoasailor]

Wow!  I didn't know that about the Thumbnail files!  I have 2 that are over 200 MBs!!

Thanks so much!

[krazyredd]

I'm having the exact same problem as Diamond-Heart. It won't work when I have custom content, and I tried deleting some of it, but it still won't work! I also deleted groups.cache, but that didn't work either. It will only work if I delete the actual downloads folder, not just the files. Somebody please help!

gotta be something in your download folder.  Sad to say but you probably gotta start over and find new items to put in your game, and the worst part is you may have to test them to make sure they work first.  I had a problem similar to yours for the past week and finally i had to settle for less cc in my folder.  sometime these things, cc, just stop working and mess up your whole game.  sorry you are having a prob wit ur game. :~(

[Tenshii~Akari]

Well, if your game doesn't start up, even after deleting your .cache files and cigen.package files, or even playing without custom content in your Downloads or SavedSims folder... I'm inclined to think it has something to do with Deluxe and SecuRom. (NOT the brand new version, but this site has very good info of why you should be wary of it, now and in the future...)  

Some people have had luck with playing that and all the newer EPs (post-Seasons) without any problems whatsoever, but there are a lot of people who have had a time with SecuRom disabling the use of certain programs and disk-drives.  Hoping this is not the issue for you, though, but if nothing works... :dontknow: