hello
I am one of the 1000nds of people with this problem. I've been looking for a solution on boards like these and I've logged it at EA Technical Support. I just got a reaction (in the weekend imagine that!). At this point I'm re-installing the game so I don't know yet if it will work, but let's hope so ;o)
In the meantime I'll share my reply from EA:
Quote:
Hello,
Thank you for contacting EA technical support. I am sorry that you are having difficulty.
This error is usually caused by a faulty installation of DirectX.
First, make sure your disk is in the drive. Afterwards follow these steps.
Open My Computer.
Right click on the Sims2 icon and choose Open.
Double-click on the DirectX folder.
Right-click on the DSETUP.dll file and choose Copy.
Close this window.
Open My Computer again.
This time, open your C: drive (usually called Local Disk).
Now open the WINDOWS folder.
Open the SYSTEM32 folder.
Right-click on an empty space in the folder and choose Paste.
Now try running the installation again.
If the issue persists you will need to reinstall DirectX.
You can get this program either off the disk, or from Microsoft's website.
To use the DirectX installer on the disk:
Open My Computer.
Right-click on the Sims2 icon and choose Open.
Open the DirectX folder.
Double-click on the dxsetup icon.
This will install DirectX 9.0c on your system.
If you would like to install DirectX directly from Microsoft:
Go to www.microsoft.com
DirectX is available on the Downloads page.
If the trouble continues, The issue you are experiencing is due to corrupted game files. In this case we will need to remove all the files associated with the games in order for them to work properly.
We have to go into your Windows registry and remove the parts of the game program that were not removed from your system. We will be focusing on 2 files that were installed with the game into your registry. First, we will need to make a backup of your registry. We do this by using a tool called Scanreg;
1. Click on Start then go to Run.
2. Type in scanreg /backup.
3. Click on Ok.
You will see a window briefly appear on your screen and then go away. Once you have seen this that will tell you that you have made a backup of your registry. If you have Windows XP you can skip this step.
Now we will remove the keys for The Sims 2 from your registry. To do this, follow the steps below;
1. Click on Start then go to Run.
2. Type in regedit and click OK.
3. Left-Click once on the plus sign next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
4. Left-Click once on the plus sign next to a folder labeled Software.
5. Left-Click once on the plus sign next to a folder labeled EA Games.
6. You will see a folder labeled "The Sims 2".
7. Right click once on this folder; a menu will appear.
8. Select the delete option and left-click; this will remove the folder. The window may take you to the top of the screen. Simply scroll back down to where you were before.
9. Left-Click once on the plus sign next to a folder labeled Microsoft.
10. Left-Click once on the plus sign next to a folder labeled Windows.
11. Left-Click once on the plus sign next to a folder labeled Current Version.
12. Left-Click once on the plus sign next to a folder labeled Uninstall.
13. Locate a folder labeled {8AB8D458-939E-403F-0097-9BA1C1F013D5}
14. Right click once on this folder; a menu will appear.
15. Select the delete option and left-click; this will remove the folder.
Delete the two Sims 2 folders located here:
C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2
and here:
\\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2
You have now removed all entries for The Sims 2 from your system. At this point you should be able to re-install your game without an issue.
I hope it's usefull!
one note: if(!) it is the solution, please spread this post on at least one other board so all simmers are happy simmers again.
