"The game can not start..."

[kimwriter75]

Hello.  I am new to all this and I desperately need help.  I have read through all kinds of self help "stuff" at many sites, including here, to find anwsers.  None are to be found for my situation.

On the 11th of June I downloaded The Sims Life Stories from EA games.  I had a blast learning to play as I am new to the Sims.  Not long after, when trying to start the game I got a message saying...

The game can not start.  In order to launch this game, please login to the EA Download Manager to verify your membership, then try again.

To make a long story short...my game was not registered.  Simple enough. I registered and then enjoyed more game play.  I completed both stories, and started my own in freeplay mode.  I have learned how to build houses, and I just discovered cheats.  

On the 12th or 13th of July, the same message reappeared.  Here it is now the 19th of July and i am still without my game.  I am very frusterated as I just want to play.  I emailed tech support at EA, once again, and have had an ongoing thread with them since the 14th.  My problem must be out of the ordinary because they have had to send it to a higher up on the staff.  They have requested files...I have sent them.  They have had me try this and that...I have done so.  Still, I am without my game.  I am truly so frusterated and upset i want to just cry.  I am not computer "savvy" so i am feeling very helpless.  

Can anybody explain to me what might be going on?  I've asked EA to explain something, but haven't gotten an explaination.  Has anyone heard of this situation before?  Any solutions?  Am I missing the big picture?  

Thanks for taking the time to read.  I apologize for the length.

Please help!

Kim

[gali]

I don't have any experience with EA downloaded games, but I buy many downloaded games from other companies.

After I download a trial version for one hour, I can buy the full version (credit card or PayPal), and then the company activates my downloaded game, by  e-mailing me a "registration key". I enter the registration key, and can play the game.

If your game was not registerred, and then you did register it - they have the registration key for your game (which is unique), and should e-mail it to you.

It's weird, that your game depends on being a member of EA. Many times EA site goes down for tech maintenance, and then I have to login again.
You have to ask for your registration key, to activate your game.

[kimwriter75]

Thank you gali for the response.  

I've done the registration key thing.  Still nothing.  

The whole thing is very wierd.  I'm very, very, very confused over the whole thing.

[gali]

If you have the registration key - enter EA shop (not EA support), and try to register again your game. The EA shop is responsible for activating your game.

Contact their support team - not TS2 support team - if you have problems, and send them your registration key. If you have a copy of the order number of the game (I always keep it, just in case) - they can check faster, and lead you how to activate the game.

For instance, here is an e-mail from a company that I bought from it a game:

"GameHouse Receipt for: Lily (deleted)
Order # (deleted by me)

You are receiving this email because an order that you placed has been processed.

The following item is downloadable:

Item:      [name of the game - deleted by me]
Item Cost: $19.95
If you have not already done so, download this product at:
http://downloads.gamehouse.com/funpass/HiddenObjectShowInstall.exe

Sub Total: $19.95
Sales Tax: $0.00
Shipping:  $0.00
Total:     $19.95

Below is the registration information for your games.
If you have already installed a game, skip to Step #3.
Follow the instructions below for each item to properly register your games.

Step #1: Download your game
Step #2: Install Your game
Step #3: Enter your license code
Step #4: Enjoy!

IMPORTANT:
GameHouse uses a registration system to unlock trial games to the REGISTERED VERSION.
When you install a game for the first time, it will be in TRIAL MODE.
After you purchase a game, it should start immediately upon launch.
If it does not, click the Register tab and enter your License Name and License Code to enable the REGISTERED VERSION.

If you have any questions, concerns, or problems with this order,
please see our Frequently Asked Questions at http://www.gamehouse.com/support

Item:         The Hidden Object Show
License Name: Lily (deleted)
License Code:  (deleted by me)

GameHouse strives to give the best games and the most fun to its customers.
We often create new games and update our older ones,
to make our games the best experience possible.
Please check back from time to time for updates, fixes, news,
and more great games at http://www.gamehouse.com

Thank You,
GameHouse"

I keep it in a special folder, as a receit.

[kimwriter75]

Many thanks again gali!  I appreciate you sharing.  

I am registered....and have been.  That is what makes the problem so confusing.  And frusterating.  I just want to play the game!!!

[kimwriter75]

Great news!!!  (for me, anyhow)

My game is back.  After trying many things a member of the tech support asked me to do the one that actually worked was creating another windows administative account and launch game from there.  I do not have a clue on why that works, but i am not going to dwell on it.  Of course i have to start from scratch.  but that's ok.  

Sooo...for those of you looking for an easy way to restart the game to play again, that might be an option....create another windows admin account! :-P

[gali]

So happy for you!  It works, because you forced the EA Download Manager to check automatically if you are registered, and responds positively. Stupid Manager!
I asked a fellow simmer, and she warned me not to download any game from EA, but to buy the CD Rom. Otherwise, I will have the same problems as yours.

Thanks for the info!

[angelrock444]

i'm so happy for u also i'm just glad i don't have to go through what u were going through