Insimenator.org

Okay, so when i try to patch Sims 2 [I downloaded the patch from the official site, I have the DVD version], it works well until it reaches the object: "TSData\Res\ContentRegistry" and an error occurs with a message: "Error during update installation" then it closes the patch window leaving my Sims 2 unpatched. What do I do?=3

Have you tried redownloading the patch and seeing if it was just something that happened during the download process to cause that?

If so and it still throws that error, try installing the patch while your computer is in Safe Mode.  (access by rebooting your computer and pressing F8 before the OS loading screen comes up... then use your arrow keys to move up to the "Safe Mode" (or "Safe Mode with Networking", which loads up a little bit faster) and press enter.)  :angel:

I've tried that already and still didn't work. I tried re-downloading the patch, re-installing the game, removing every third-party program but still it doesn't change the situation. I think the problem lies within my ContentRegistry File. It's 2.37kb. Does anyone has a different size on it?

Is that specific version you're talking about (the 2.37KB size) the one that's in your My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2 folder or your Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2 (name of expansion pack being patched) folder?  If it's in the first one, you can safely delete that one.  I'm not so sure about the second location, though.  :dontknow:

Oh snap. I deleted it too but it still doesn't work. I wonder what is wrong with my patching? Patching for me is really important because without it, there'd be no Custom Content Browser and it wouldn't show custom items.=[

Patches will fail if you've altered or write protect files in the Program Files path.  Depending on what configuration mods you've installed, lighting, clean neighborhoods, and Scriptorium among others, you do need to edit some of those "do not touch" files.  Many, to include myself, recommend write protecting the objects.package to keep the game from corrupting it somehow.

Use Windows Explorer to explore the installation DVD.  Look for the file compressed.zip and open it up so you can see what's in it.  You should find the folder structure that's in the Program Files\EA Games path.  Compare files sizes and dates between the two, specifically for the content.registry size that's where patching is failing.  If they are different, copy the one from from the DVD to the harddrive, overwriting the one there.  Then try the patch again.

Yes I tried that too and still made no change in my patching.
This is how my Sims 2 looks like without patching (I'm missing something):
(http://i36.tinypic.com/300dwxy.jpg)

Base game has no custom content option panel.  That won't show until EPs are added.

You say DVD version.  As in the Double Deluxe version?  What may be happening to you is that version is already patched.  Review what was fixed with the patch, then play your game to see if those things work properly or not.

Specifically, what EPs should I install to show the custom content option panel? Im not running Delxue but I have University installed and the panel still doesn't show.

That panel really doesn't show up until NL.  :angel:  That's the first EP they introduced it in.  ;)