From what you wrote you have some major corruption in your game, but still you can play a Neighborhood that is corrupted.

The Mac has a Maximum Open File Limit and you have been regularly exceeding the number every time you have a lost a Sim or Sims every time you have lost a lot, every time you have lost a Neighborhood. You have a basic simple choice only run a very limited set of mods and various items of cc and don't add anything or Change your Mac's Maximum Open File Limit. Your issue with crashing might be connected or might not, my does crash, but it does not have the main symtoms I list.

In my own experience it has been safe to Change the Maximum Open File Limit and I have done it twice, especially if you have more than the minimum RAM and you keep the number of other processes besides The Sims 2 under control when you are playing.

First go to my post that explains how to disable System Integrity Protection {in that post I explain how to turn it back on} and follow the steps http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,115580.0.html , then go to the post where I explain how increase the Maximum Open File Limit and follow the steps carefully I did not find it that hard to do, just take your time and follow the steps carefully, I posted how I did it and it works for me http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,49183.0.html

@mynamenotbob I used TextEdit, but you can use any app that produces plain Text files, just change the file extension to .plist

@bourgeoisbanana I can't really help that much with bashrc or similar shell files as I don't use them, I have studied Unix, but I have not had any reason to make and use a shell file, so I have not done so. Sorry that I can't be of much help with this aspect.

On the main issue, my advice to approach it step by step, first copy and then paste my text {minus the part with the instructions} into a text file {copy and paste greatly reduces transciption errors} that is someplace like your Desktop and thus not in the Special launchdaemons folder {the OS does not allow modification of files in that folder, SIP off or not}, then save and change the file extensions to .plist then if you have your previous attempts in the launchdaemons folder remove them and put the new files in the launchdaemons folder. Then Run Terminal and do the file ownership commands making sure of course to put your Admin password in of course.

Should work, I set up my .plist files and it worked the first time and then I needed to increase the numbers so I did it again and it worked again. So Do Each Step Carefully and Check that you are doing the Step Correctly and it should work.

I edited the instructions and made it more clear hopefully. Note if you are going to modify your Mac's Maximum Open File Limit and you are running El Capitan or later you will first need to Disable System Integrety Protection. See my Post here: http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,115580.0.html

I want people to note that I Edited my instructions for Increasing the Mac's Maximum Open File Limit, because El Capitan and Later, but not the newer MacOS versions, made it harder to modify the folder I am telling you all to modify. Separate instructions on how to get around the System Integrity Protection if Present are here http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,115580.0.html

How to turn off Rootless (SIP, or System Integrity Protection) in OS X El Capitan and later, note Apple Discontinued SIP in later versions of MacOS.

Posted because if you are running El Capitan or later and you want to Increase your Maximum Open File Limit you Will need to do this.

Apple introduced System Integrity Protection (rootless) mode as a security feature in OS X El Capitan. It prevents you (and programs) from changing root-level files even with your password, but it can stop some programs from working. Here's how to disable it

Introduced as a security feature in Mac OS X El Capitan, OS X System Integrity Protection (SIP) protects files, directories, and processes at the root level from being modified.

The protected directories are: /System, /bin, /sbin, /usr (but not /usr/local). The symbolic links from /etc, /tmp, and /var to /private/etc, /private/tmp, and /private/varare also protected, although the target directories are not themselves protected. Most preinstalled Apple applications in /Applications are also protected.

For some power users SIP can be a major headache. It prevents all kind of software from being installed, and doesn't let you work outside your home directory (even if using Sudo at the command line, or when logged in as the "root" user).


Turning off SIP is something of a hassle because you need to restart your Mac in Recovery Mode. Make sure that you re-enable SIP as soon as you've finished with whatever task it was interfering with. It forms a vital part of OS X's security system.

Assuming that you know what you're doing, here is how to turn off System Integrity Protection on your Mac.

Turn off your Mac (Apple > Shut Down).
Hold down Command-R and reboot. Keep holding Command-R until the Apple logo appears.
Wait for OS X to boot into the OS X Utilities window.
Look up Near the Apple Menu and Not the Window with The Reinstall Options, Choose Utilities > Terminal.

In Terminal:
Enter csrutil disable.
Enter reboot.

Your Mac will reboot and start up with SIP disabled. You can check the status of SIP by opening Terminal and entering csrutil status. You should see "System Integrity Protection status: disabled."


Switch SIP back on
It's important to re-enable SIP when you've finished your task. Here's how to set OS X rootless mode back on.

Turn off your Mac (Apple > Shut Down).
Hold down Command-R and press the Power button. Keep holding Command-R until the Apple logo appears.
Wait for OS X to boot into the OS X Utilities window.
Choose Utilities > Terminal.
Enter csrutil enable.
Enter reboot.

Now open Terminal and enter csrutil status to check the status of SIP. It should say "System Integrity Protection status: enabled."

The basic method for installing Sims2Pack files is to use the The Sims? 2: Package Installer that one can download from Aspyr, click on the Link on the Sims 2 Launcher that you get when you are about to play the game. The problem with the Package Installer is that if the Sims2Pack file is a Sim that was created using a Game Engine that is newer than the one used by Bon Voyage that the Installer will tell you that the content is not supported. Usually other Sims2Pack files will work.

There is an Alternative that sometimes works when the Default Installer refuses however the Alternate sometimes fails to work as well. The Alternative is MacUnpac https://sims.jfade.com/index.php-category=1&subcat=5.html Note that the Alternate needs to have Java Installed and it may not work with the new 64bit Mac OS Catalina or newer.

Regular .package files can be easily installed in the Downloads Folder. The Downloads Folder is located inside The Sims 2 folder in this Path <User>/Library/Containers/com.aspyr.sims2.appstore/Data/Library/Application Support/Aspyr/The Sims 2

I strongly recommend that you put your .package files into subfolders and make sure that they are organized, you will thank me later if you have to look for something.

You may have to unzip or otherwise decode the file if for example you have a .7z file or a .rar file, in that case you use The Unarchiver.app download it if you don't already have it here https://theunarchiver.com

If you don't find a Downloads folder there you just create a folder inside The Sims 2 folder and name it Downloads.

To go to The Sims 2 folder the easiest way is to type or copy this line ~/Library/Containers/com.aspyr.sims2.appstore/Data/Library/Application Support/Aspyr/The Sims 2
into Go to Folder which is found in the Go menu in the Finder.

I have posted a list of Step by Step Install instructions for those Using a Mac and The Sims 2: Super Collection, http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,115575.0.html

Step by Step Directions on Installing Gunmod's Radiance Light System 2.4 For The Sims 2: Super Collection {32 Bit Version} Note that the 64 bit version changed the paths slightly and the changes are noted.

Note: I based my directions on 2.4 because I like the 2.4 version best, the install procedure will likely be a little different if you use dreadpirate's 2.5 version. I don't know if her version will work that well on Macs for one thing, so I advise getting 2.4 from on MTS. http://modthesims.info/d/290746/gunmod-s-radiance-light-system-2-4-4-29-09.html


1. Download the Radiance mod and unzip it, any convenient location will do.

2. Open the mod folder in a Finder window.

3. Open a new Finder window to your ~/Library/Containers/com.aspyr.sims2.appstore/Data/Library/Application Support/Aspyr/The Sims 2/Config folder. Note that ~ means the User's directory

4. If there isn't a userStartup.cheat file already in the Config folder, drag the file userStartup.cheat from the mod folder into ~/Library/Containers/com.aspyr.sims2.appstore/Data/Library/Application Support/Aspyr/The Sims 2/Config folder.

5. If a userStartup.cheat file is already in the Config folder, open the mod's version of the userStartup.cheat using TextEdit (right-click, open with). Copy everything in it, and close the file. Open the userStartup.cheat file in your Sims 2 Config folder using TextEdit. Paste what you copied at the very start of the file. Hit return. Save the file. Close TextEdit. Close the Sims 2/Config finder window.

6. In a new Finder window open the Applications folder

Go to the The Sims 2:Super Collection App and right click or control click the Icon and then choose "Show Package Contents"

7. Note on the Mac only some folders are used, so For every EP and SP that Mac?s have installed we are going to do the following:

Also We are going to do the folders inside the App in decending order so:

A. First we do Bon Voyage.

In one Finder Window Open the Bon Voyage Lights folder in the Mod.

In another Finder Window open the Bon Voyage Lights folder in the Sims 2 app, look in this path Contents/Home/Expansion Packs/Bon Voyage/TSData/Res/Lights

For the 64 bit version the path is Contents/Assets/Expansion Packs/Bon Voyage/TSData/Res/Lights


Drag the files inside the mod's Bon Voyage Lights folder into the Sims 2 App's Bon Voyage Lights folder and Choose to Replace Files when asked.

B. Next we do Family Fun Stuff.

In one Finder Window Open the _Stuff Packs and then Family Fun Stuff Lights folder in the Mod.
In another Finder Window open the Family Fun Stuff Lights folder in the Sims 2 app, look in this path Contents/Home/Expansion Packs/Family Fun Stuff/TSData/Res/Lights

For the 64 bit version the path is Contents/Assets/Expansion Packs/Family Fun Stuff/TSData/Res/Lights

Drag the files inside the mod's Family Fun Stuff Lights folder into the Sims 2 App's Family Fun Stuff Lights folder and Choose to Replace Files when asked.

C. Next we do Glamour Life Stuff.

In one Finder Window Open the _Stuff Packs and then Glamour Life Stuff Lights folder in the Mod.

In another Finder Window open the Glamour Life Stuff Lights folder in the Sims 2 app, look in this path Contents/Home/Expansion Packs/Glamour Life Stuff/TSData/Res/Lights

For the 64 bit version the path is Contents/Assets/Expansion Packs/Glamour Life Stuff/TSData/Res/Lights

Drag the files inside the mod's Glamour Life Stuff Lights folder into the Sims 2 App's Glamour Life Stuff Lights folder and Choose to Replace Files when asked.

D. Next we do Nightlife

In one Finder Window Open the Nightlife Lights folder in the Mod.

In another Finder Window open the Nightlife Lights folder in the Sims 2 app, look in this path Contents/Home/Expansion Packs/Nightlife/TSData/Res/Lights

For the 64 bit version the path is Contents/Assets/Expansion Packs/Nightlife/TSData/Res/Lights


Drag the files inside the mod's Nightlife Lights folder into the Sims 2 App's Nightlife Lights folder and Choose to Replace Files when asked.


E. Next we do Open for Business

In one Finder Window Open the Open for Business Lights folder in the Mod.

In another Finder Window open the Open for Business Lights folder in the Sims 2 app, look in this path Contents/Home/Expansion Packs/Open for Business/TSData/Res/Lights

For the 64 bit version the path is Contents/Assets/Expansion Packs/Open for Business/TSData/Res/Lights

Drag the files inside the mod's Open for Business Lights folder into the Sims 2 App's Open for Business Lights folder and Choose to Replace Files when asked.

F. Next we do Pets

In one Finder Window Open the Pets Lights folder in the Mod.

In another Finder Window open the Pets Lights folder in the Sims 2 app, look in this path Contents/Home/Expansion Packs/Pets/TSData/Res/Lights

For the 64 bit version the path is Contents/Assets/Expansion Packs/Pets/TSData/Res/Lights

Drag the files inside the mod's Pets Lights folder into the Sims 2 App's Pets Lights folder and Choose to Replace Files when asked.


G. Next we do Seasons

In one Finder Window Open the Seasons Lights folder in the Mod.

In another Finder Window open the Seasons Lights folder in the Sims 2 app, look in this path Contents/Home/Expansion Packs/Seasons/TSData/Res/Lights

For the 64 bit version the path is Contents/Assets/Expansion Packs/Seasons/TSData/Res/Lights

Drag the files inside the mod's Seasons Lights folder into the Sims 2 App's Seasons Lights folder and Choose to Replace Files when asked.


H. Next we do University

In one Finder Window Open the University Lights folder in the Mod.

In another Finder Window open the University Lights folder in the Sims 2 app, look in this path Contents/Home/Expansion Packs/University/TSData/Res/Lights

For the 64 bit version the path is Contents/Assets/Expansion Packs/University/TSData/Res/Lights

Drag the files inside the mod's University Lights folder into the Sims 2 App's University Lights folder and Choose to Replace Files when asked.


H. Finally we do the base game

In one Finder Window Open the Sims 2 Lights folder in the Mod.

In another Finder Window open the base game Lights folder in the Sims 2 app, look in this path Contents/Home/TSData/Res/Lights

For the 64 bit version the path is Contents/Assets/TSData/Res/Lights

Drag the files inside the mod's  Sims 2 Lights folder into the Sims 2 App's base game Lights folder and Choose to Replace Files when asked.

There are other folders for other EP and SPs, but the Mac does not support them, so just ignore them. The Mod has an Optional folder, I did not address this folder, if you want to use them you can figure it out I am pretty sure.

Unfortunately this Teen Career replaces the Politics Teen Career in my game. The Adult version of the career works great though.

I just wanted to note that there is a new 64 bit Sims 2: Super Collection on the Mac App Store now and I don't think it is compatiable with the older 32 bit Systems, like wise the Aspyr Versions of the Body Shop and the Package Installer are 64 bit and are not compatiable with the older 32 bit versions.

But now The Sims 2 is alive and well on the Mac for a long time in the future. Yay! So when I do finally upgrade to 64bit I can play the Sims 2, now how about the Sims 2 Castaways Stories and the other Stories games?

Yep I am here too, though mostly I lurk.

Your question was mostly answered by HobbesED, but I want to add LeeFish.nl, Simlogical.com and Simbology.com to the places that have CC. LeeFish.nl is the home of BoilingOil's mods as well as some other cc by others, also of note on LeeFish.nl is a thread that has Updates of Sims[1-4] content online, http://www.leefish.nl/mybb/forumdisplay.php?fid=58 very handy it is. Simlogical.com is the site for Inge Jones' mods and Simbology has TwoJeff's mods as well as mods by ChristianLov and AncientHighway and others as well.

Browsing

I really enjoy reading your story and I read everything from the beginning to more or less your current post, I am looking forward to your new installments on the story when you get to it.

Take care and be well.

 [If it was from a Drill Sergeant in the US Army]

Sounds like a Personal Problem Squinge.


 

OK Queue the Monty Python's Flying Circus.....Spam Song!