How to write protect your package files

[Miros1]

Apparently, the game will crap where it lives under the correct stresses... to reduce the damage this can cause, you can write protect all your package files in the C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2 (et al.) folders.

1) Start->Search
2) Click "All Files and Folders"
3) Type "*.package" in the top entry field and "C:\Program Files\EA Games" in the location entry field.
4) Click "Search" and let it run.
5) Hit Ctrl-A (Select All), then right click and pick "Properties."
6) Click the "Read Only" checkbox until it turns to a check mark (not empty or a green square).
7) Click "Ok" and let it run.

[Zirconia Wolf]

Will I need to undo this before installing a new EP/SP?

[Miros1]

Nope. Each EP puts its stuff in a separate directory. At least they learned better than overwriting from all the fun they had with S1.

[Greg]

Won't this make it impossible to save a lot or a modified character?

[Miros1]

Nope. You're protecting the Maxis made files in Program Files, not the game generated (or copied) files in My Documents.

[Greg]

Oh. Silly me. :o

[Zirconia Wolf]

Well, I gave it a go & nothing showed up in the search!

What gives?

(I have- currently- everything up to OFB installed. )

[Zirconia Wolf]

Okay- just figured out what the problem was...

Everything worked slick!

[Miros1]

Great! Guess I need to change this post....

[Zirconia Wolf]

Another question:

Will this cause a problem with installing Offical Patches at at?

[Greg]

Yup, it worked! It found 1,934 files. Does that sound about right?

Now to do a test run...

[Miros1]

Patches, maybe. You could just un-protect the files if necessary.

Yes, 1.9K files sounds about right, since you've got all the Stuff Packs.

[Zirconia Wolf]

Okay, I'll try & remember to toggle things back to unprotected before (re)installing any patches.

Just had a very strange case of "jump bug syndrom" in an OFB install & think it may be due to the patch not taking right, even though it claims it did.

[Greg]

I have found that any lot that I have not played since installing the last packs will have jump bug symptoms. Since I usually save when they're all asleep in bed, they'll end up standing next to their beds with half-full bladders.

I've seen another bizarre syndrome. I keep running across sims whose long-term relationships are 100 with nearly everyone they know even if they have negative short-term relationships. I have no idea what triggered that.

[Miros1]

The standing-next-to-the-bed thing is common with new packs, if not mandatory. Basically, play every lot after installing one...

The LTR thing, I don't know.

[Greg]

Yeah. I have learned that when leaving a lot, it's best to save at about 5:30 AM when they were about to get up anyhow.