Q: How do I install the game directly from your hard drive instead of from the disks?
A: Here are some instructions from the EA web site:
Make sure to follow the steps below exactly as they read, or else the install may not work.
The Sims 2 on 4 CD-Roms:[*]Double-click My Computer.
[*]Right-click on the Local Disk C and choose Open.
[*]Right-click inside the window and select New, and then Folder.
[*]Name the folder Disk Images it is important that the name has a space in it.
[*]Double-Click the new
Disk Images folder to open it.
[*]Right-click inside the window and select New, and then Folder.
[*]Name this folder
Disk1.
[*]Right-click inside the
Disk Images folder window and select New, and then Folder.
[*]Name this folder
Disk2.
[*]Right-click inside the
Disk Images folder window and select New, and then Folder.
[*]Name this folder
Disk3.
[*]Right-click inside the
Disk Images folder window and select New, and then Folder.
[*]Name this folder
Disk4.
[*]There should now be 4 'Disk' folders followed by a number 1 through 4. it is important to note there must not be a space between "Disk" and the number.
[*]Insert Disk 1 of The Sims 2 into your CD-Rom drive and if the autoplay starts, cancel it.
[*]Double-click My Computer to open it.
[*]Right-click on your CD-ROM drive and choose Open.
[*]When you see the contents of the disk in the Window, click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Select All.
[*]All the contents of the disk should now be highlighted, click on Edit at the top of the window again and choose Copy.
[*]Open the Disk1 folder you created under C:\Disk Images; click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Paste. This will copy the contents of the CD into the Disk1 folder.
[*]Insert Disk 2 of The Sims 2 into your CD-Rom drive and if the autoplay starts, cancel it.
[*]Double-click My Computer to open it.
[*]Right-click on your CD-ROM drive and choose Open.
[*]When you see the contents of the disk in the Window, click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Select All.
[*]All the contents of the disk should now be highlighted, click on Edit at the top of the window again and choose Copy.
[*]Open the Disk2 folder you created under C:\Disk Images; click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Paste. This will copy the contents of the CD into the Disk2 folder.
[*]Insert Disk 3 of The Sims 2 into your CD-Rom drive and if the autoplay starts, cancel it.
[*]Double-click My Computer to open it.
[*]Right-click on your CD-ROM drive and choose Open.
[*]When you see the contents of the disk in the Window, click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Select All.
[*]All the contents of the disk should now be highlighted, click on Edit at the top of the window again and choose Copy.
[*]Open the Disk3 folder you created under C:\Disk Images; click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Paste. This will copy the contents of the CD into the Disk3 folder.
[*]Insert Disk 4 of The Sims 2 into your CD-Rom drive and if the autoplay starts, cancel it.
[*]Double-click My Computer to open it.
[*]Right-click on your CD-ROM drive and choose Open.
[*]When you see the contents of the disk in the Window, click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Select All.
[*]All the contents of the disk should now be highlighted, click on Edit at the top of the window again and choose Copy.
[*]Open the Disk4 folder you created under C:\Disk Images; click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Paste. This will copy the contents of the CD into the Disk4 folder.
[*]Once all the disks have been copied, remove ALL CDs & DVDs from any drives.
[*]Open the Disk1 folder under Disk Images and double-click on autorun.exe to start the installation.
[*]To save disk space, you can delete the Disk Images folders after the installation has completed.
[/LIST]
The Sims 2 on 1 DVD-ROM:[*]Double-click My Computer.
[*]Right-click on the Local Disk C and choose Open.
[*]Right-click inside the window and select New, and then Folder.
[*]Name the folder Disk Images it is important that the name has a space in it.
[*]Double-Click the new
Disk Images folder to open it.
[*]Right-click inside the window and select New, and then Folder.
[*]Name this folder
Disk1.
[*]Right-click inside the
Disk Images folder window and select New, and then Folder.
[*]Insert Disk 1 of The Sims 2 into your DVD-ROM drive and if the autoplay starts, cancel it.
[*]Double-click My Computer to open it.
[*]Right-click on your DVD-ROM drive and choose Open.
[*]When you see the contents of the disk in the Window, click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Select All.
[*]All the contents of the disk should now be highlighted, click on Edit at the top of the window again and choose Copy.
[*]Open the Disk1 folder you created under C:\Disk Images; click on Edit at the top of the window and choose Paste. This will copy the contents of the DVD into the Disk1 folder.
[*]Once all the files have been copied, remove ALL CDs & DVDs from any drives.
[*]Open the Disk1 folder under Disk Images and double-click on autorun.exe to start the installation.
[*]To save disk space, you can delete the Disk Images folders after the installation has completed.
[/LIST]
This method works for all Expansion Packs and Stuff Packs - items downloaded from EA Link will not install this way AFAIK
