try deleting the groups.cache file in your MyDocs/EAGames/TheSims2 file.

I have my cheats listed in a file called userstartup.cheat I think, not the one in the MyDocs/EAGames/TheSims2 file.  It must be in the current expansion pack in order to work.  Basically you open the file as a txt document in notepad and you change the commands you need when typing a cheat.  So for example, if I need to use the 'maxmotives' cheat, all I need to do is type in 'mm'  One that I always hated was the 'boolprop constrainfloorelevation true/false' cheat, now all I do is type 'f' or 'f-' if I want to use that cheat.
WARNING!! DO NOT try this method without knowing exactly what you need to add in this file!!!!!!!!!  If there is any interest I'll post instructions on exactly what you need to do.

Also, your 'maxmotives' is a great suggestion, but are you aware you can freeze the needs at maximum?  This command does that;

motivedecay true/false

Hope this helps!  

Just remembered another thing, if you use the arrow key in the cheat window prompt, all the cheats you have entered since you started the game will appear.  This is handy to know and saves typing in a command you already used.

At first I couldn't 'dig for treasure' or use any of the beach commands like 'watch waves' & 'dig for shells', but that was due to the insimenator.  I removed insimenator & those commands are available.  I patiently await the new version. :angel:  

The only problem I have experienced since then has to do with a Vacation lot one of my Sims owns.  My Sim was able to visit the lot after he bought it but since then it is unavailable if he wants to visit.  Also, if you click on him, the option to sell the property is nowhere to be found.  The deeds are still in his backpack so he still owns the property in effect.  The only thing I can think is that it must be a bug...................................or maybe my Sim is self-aware and did it......................{{{cue Twilight Zone music}}}

I had the same thing with my Saved Sim file.  Bodyshop would always crash if I tried to open it.  Finally found information about what Sim PE does.  Now I have no problems.  

Glad to hear you know of the benefits of the group.cache file.  Wow, I was complaining and I only uninstalled once! LOL  You were doing that every week.  YIKES!  But it does back up what I said about uninstalling being your last resort.  The majority of the time, there is no need to.

I agree that the graphics card will help.  Think I gave the impression I thought it wouldn't make a difference.  It does, but there are better alternatives you can do first.  If you didn't check out my link, I suggest you do.  What I liked was how they test the game by using a variety of video cards, RAM, CPU's etc.  It gives a balanced view of how the game works.  Their approach is scientific because they test using different methods and compare the results.  

You're a download junkie too huh?  My download file is about 13 gig at the moment and it takes 25-40 minutes for the game to load.  About 5 - 10 minutes top to load the neighbourhood.  The same for my first lot.  But once I use a lot and exit.  All lots load in less than a minute.  The same for CAS, once I have used it and want to create another family, it takes less than a minute.  Makes me laugh really, my first PC couldn't even store all the information in my downloads folder!  LOL

I can't think of any other tips.  I'm sure something will come to me, though.  LOL

Take Care!
bulldawg

Fantastic!!!!  I was happy to help!  I have another good tip for you.  Every once in a while my game won't boot up for some reason.  It doesn't matter if I reboot my system, it will still do it.  I managed to look in Task Manager and the 2 Sims file appears but suddenly they just disappear.  When it first happened to me I uninstalled the game.  It takes ages to install the game and expansion packs, not to mention having to redo my Camera files and the cheat file etc.  Thankfully after doing that, nearly 2 hours later, the game worked.  About a week later I was reading posts at a Sims fan site (I forget which one)  Anyway, I saw that someone had posted that they had a problem starting their game, the problem was exactly the same as mine.  Someone posted a solution.  Open your My Documents Sims folder, in the main Sims folder look for a file called groups.cache, DELETE that file.  The game should boot up now.

A few weeks later I had the same problem.  I deleted the groups.cache file and the game started.  Don't worry, the game rewrites the file anyway.  I'm not 100% why this works.  Something about, since the game rewrites this file everytime you play the game, occassionally there will be an error and that's why the game won't start.  BTW, you can delete this file even if you have no problems.  In fact, I delete it every time I play the game.  

I was happy to find a solution that was so simple and took mere seconds to carry out.  I was a bit ticked that I wasted all that time uninstalling and reinstalling, but it taught me a lesson.  Uninstalling the game should be your ultimate last resort.  Inevitably there is solution to your problem, if you search the fansite forums.  This forum has alot of helpful information, another good site for info. is Mod The Sims 2 or the official Sims 2 site.  Don't wait until you have a problem either.  Be prepared.  I read the problems sections and take note of the different problems and solutions.  You also benefit by doing this because people post to say if the solution worked or not.  Like you did here, if anyone reads our posts they can see that you tried it and it worked.

Finally, if you want the game to run quicker.  A cheap solution is to buy some RAM, fill up every available slot your system has available.  Everyone seems to assume that having a powerful graphics card will make the game run quicker.  This is true for practically every other game you play, but The Sims2 is different.  The Sims2 uses up more clock speed, so by getting extra RAM the game runs smoother.  Increasing your clock speed is even better.  My game runs fairly smooth with pentium4 2.66CPU & 1.5 GIG RAM, my video card is a 128 meg NVIDIA.  I can't fit anymore RAM or I would.  It is the easiest solution.  If I want to increase my CPU, it costs more and is a bit of a hassle. Anyway, I suggest this link to you and anyone who is reading this, it will teach you much about the game, make sure you read everything, there are links to the other pages on the link below;

http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6133243/index.html?type=tech

Hope this helps again!  It gave me a great feeling to know that there is someone out there who has found a better way to play the game because of my advice.  Enjoy your game!  Good luck with your contest and if you have a problem in the future send me a PM and I'll be happy to help if I can.

Take care!
bulldawg

That's fine! I just thought I'd touch base. Got my fingers crossed 4U

Great, so you seem to have all the info you need then.  At the risk of sounding like a repeating grandmother, make sure you find the globalStartup.cheat file in your most recent expansion pack Config file.  

C/Program Files/EA GAMES/*recent expansion pack*/TSData/Res/Config

For anyone else reading this, if you are unsure what your most recent expansion is, check the disk you use when you play the game.  That will tell you.

Also, remember to change it if another expansion pack comes out in the future.  You don't necassarily have to remove it from the existing file, I noticed my Nightlife globalStartup.cheat file still has the changes and it hasn't affected my game.  The important thing is making sure it's in the most recent, like I keep saying.  And make sure you wear a warm scarf when it's cold out deary!  LOL  

bulldawg

ps- Dizi, please let me know if this worked.

If it helps you any, the only thing in my userStartup.cheat file is;

userShaders true

But that's to give you a guideline.  dunner points out 3 other things you can put in that file that will work.  My method is an alternative.  Also, I want to stress that with my method you still have to enter commands in the cheat window when you play the game, you just don't have to enter the longer original versions of these commands.  So, for example, there is no need to type 'moveobjects on', all you need to do is type 'm'.  That single letter should do the same thing.  You seem to get this, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Another tip for you, do you know if you use the up arrow key in your cheat window, all the commands you have made in the game so far will appear one after another?  Just make sure you click on the command line or it won't work.

peace
bulldawg

I just wanted to say I already knew about this, I had the 'no fish in tank' problem and by creating the userStartup.cheat file my problem was solved.  In my case I have all the expansion packs and for some reason it was deleted.

I never realised you could put other cheats in this file.  You mention that aside from userShaders true, boolprop allow45degreeangleofrotation true, boolprop testingcheatsenabled true, and intProp maxNumOfVisitingSims 8 work.  That's good to know, I'll try that.  Saying that, I don't think I'll include boolprop testingcheatsenabled true in mine because I have heard that it if you use it in your game you should only make it available when you need it.  But, I could be wrong, it was something I recall reading and thought I should mention it.

I have a method that I use.  I don't recall where I originally learnt about this, so I am not taking credit for it.  It has always worked for me.  It involves adding lines to a different cheat file.  By adding info to this file, I only have to type 'a' in my cheat window and it does the same as typing allow45degreeangleofrotation true.  If I type 'a-', it does the same as typing allow45degreeangleofrotation false.

Now it's important to say that this must be added to your latest expansion pack file.  For example, I have all the expansion packs, so I look for The Seasons file.

C/Program Files/EA GAMES/The Sims 2 Seasons/TSData/Res/Config

In the Config file there is a file called globalStartup.cheat, open that file.  If you are asked, select Notepad to open it.  You should see this when you open it;


#
# Sims2 global startup cheat file - this file is run on startup of the game application.  It's meant to reflect "production defaults".
#
# Do not modify this file locally -- instead create UserData/userStartup.cheat and modify that.
#

#--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#     alias         real command                                    brief help                         full help
#     ------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------
alias exit          hide                                            "Hide the cheat console window"    "Hide the cheat console window"
alias x             expand                                          "*Expand the cheat console window" "Hide the cheat console window"
alias h             help                                            "*Show the cheat help"             "Show the cheat help"
alias ?             help                                            "*Show the cheat help"             "Show the cheat help"

#--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have added the information below to this file;

alias m "moveObjects on" "Enables the ability to move normally unmovable objects" ""
alias m- "moveObjects off" "Disables the ability to move normally unmovable objects" ""

alias s "boolProp snapObjectsToGrid false" "Lets you move objects off the grid" ""
alias s- "boolProp snapObjectsToGrid true" "Makes objects snap to the grid" ""

alias f "boolprop constrainFloorElevation false" "Enables the ability to change terrain even when there is a building on it" ""
alias f- "boolprop constrainFloorElevation true" "Disables the ability to change terrain even when there is a building on it" ""

alias t "boolprop testingCheatsEnabled true" "Enables a lot of hidden features that can be accessed by holding shift when clicking on objects" ""
alias t- "boolprop testingCheatsEnabled false" "Disables a lot of hidden features that can be accessed by holding shift when clicking on objects" ""

alias party "intProp maxNumOfVisitingSims 50" "Allows you to throw big parties when activated on the neighbourhood screen" ""

alias a "boolprop allow45degreeangleofrotation true" ""
alias a- "boolprop allow45degreeangleofrotation  false" ""

alias c "motherlode" ""

alias d "boolProp dormSpecificToolsDisabled true" ""
alias d- "boolProp dormSpecificToolsDisabled false" ""

alias sh "showheadlines on" ""
alias sh- "showheadlines off" ""

alias ucr "unlockcareerrewards" ""

alias mm "maxmotives" ""

alias md "motivedecay on" ""
alias md- "motivedecay off" ""

alias la "lockaspiration on" ""
alias la- "lockaspiration off" ""

alias cp "boolprop controlpets on" ""
alias cp- "boolprop controlpets off" ""

alias pac "boolprop petsactioncancel true" ""
alias pac- "boolprop petsactioncancel false" ""

alias pfw "boolprop petsfreewill true" ""
alias pfw- "boolprop petsfreewill false" ""

#------------------------------------------------------------------

By adding this to the file I only have to type the alias letters in my cheat window.  Take the 'motherlode' cheat, all I need to do is type 'c' now.  If I type 'm' the 'moveObjects on' is enabled and 'm-' for 'moveObjects off'.  Just in case there is some confusion I insert the ' to highlight the command, you do not need to enter it in the command window.  So 'c' means you only need to type c, nothing else.

Obviously, if you don't have Pet's you would have no need for the Pet's cheats, the same is true with the 'dormSpecificToolsDisabled' cheat because it is for University.  But I must stress again if you choose to try this make sure you put the information in your MOST RECENT Expansion Pack.  So if your most recent pack is Open for Business, you would look for the globalStartup.cheat file in your Open for Business Config file.  Also, you don't have to use everything I have.  I have given an example using my information as a guideline.  I thought I'd paste my file in total below because my examples above were given in 2 parts.  Here you go, my globalStartup.cheat file as it appears in my C/Program Files/EA GAMES/The Sims 2 Seasons/TSData/Res/Config;

#
# Sims2 global startup cheat file - this file is run on startup of the game application.  It's meant to reflect "production defaults".
#
# Do not modify this file locally -- instead create UserData/userStartup.cheat and modify that.
#

#--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#     alias         real command                                    brief help                         full help
#     ------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- --------------------------------
alias exit          hide                                            "Hide the cheat console window"    "Hide the cheat console window"
alias x             expand                                          "*Expand the cheat console window" "Hide the cheat console window"
alias h             help                                            "*Show the cheat help"             "Show the cheat help"
alias ?             help                                            "*Show the cheat help"             "Show the cheat help"

#--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

alias m "moveObjects on" "Enables the ability to move normally unmovable objects" ""
alias m- "moveObjects off" "Disables the ability to move normally unmovable objects" ""

alias s "boolProp snapObjectsToGrid false" "Lets you move objects off the grid" ""
alias s- "boolProp snapObjectsToGrid true" "Makes objects snap to the grid" ""

alias f "boolprop constrainFloorElevation false" "Enables the ability to change terrain even when there is a building on it" ""
alias f- "boolprop constrainFloorElevation true" "Disables the ability to change terrain even when there is a building on it" ""

alias t "boolprop testingCheatsEnabled true" "Enables a lot of hidden features that can be accessed by holding shift when clicking on objects" ""
alias t- "boolprop testingCheatsEnabled false" "Disables a lot of hidden features that can be accessed by holding shift when clicking on objects" ""

alias party "intProp maxNumOfVisitingSims 50" "Allows you to throw big parties when activated on the neighbourhood screen" ""

alias a "boolprop allow45degreeangleofrotation true" ""
alias a- "boolprop allow45degreeangleofrotation  false" ""

alias c "motherlode" ""

alias d "boolProp dormSpecificToolsDisabled true" ""
alias d- "boolProp dormSpecificToolsDisabled false" ""

alias sh "showheadlines on" ""
alias sh- "showheadlines off" ""

alias ucr "unlockcareerrewards" ""

alias mm "maxmotives" ""

alias md "motivedecay on" ""
alias md- "motivedecay off" ""

alias la "lockaspiration on" ""
alias la- "lockaspiration off" ""

alias cp "boolprop controlpets on" ""
alias cp- "boolprop controlpets off" ""

alias pac "boolprop petsactioncancel true" ""
alias pac- "boolprop petsactioncancel false" ""

alias pfw "boolprop petsfreewill true" ""
alias pfw- "boolprop petsfreewill false" ""

#------------------------------------------------------------------

Like I said before, this has always worked for me so I can't see any problems if you do it correctly.  Hope this is helpful!  Please note; you must select each Sim to unlock their career reward.  It won't make rewards available for all the Sims on the lot, only the highlighted Sim.  So 5 Sims means you enter the code 5 times, highlighting each Sim before you enter the cheat.

peace
bulldawg

All in all, your work is, good enough to download
All in all, your work is, good enough to download

Shine On You Crazy Diamond!

peace
bulldawg

I've seen all good people make T-shirts today,
Downloaded yours, I'm on my way!

Couldn't resist doing that.  Thanks!

peace
bulldawg