Sims 3 Problems

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Sims 3 Problems

I am posting this in hopes that someone out there can actually help me with my Sims 3 gameplay problem. I understand that this is an Apple forum and Sims 3 is NOT an Apple product, but I have exhausted my options through EA games. No one with their technical support teams seems to know how to help me or about Macs at all. I kept getting troubleshooting instructions for PC use!

So, my problem is that the Sims 3 game works perfectly fine, but when I go to save the game, it doesn't do anything. The game doesn't freeze per-say, but it does not save and I have to force restart my computer. When I reopen the game, my attempted saved game is listed but will not open. I am using an Intel-based iMac and I meet all of the system requirements (I actually bought a 1 GB RAM chip and installed it myself to make sure I met the requirements, I have invested some money into this process!)

If anyone could help me or point me in the right direction, I would really, really appreciate it. Thanks!!

iMac Intel, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jun 14, 2009 2:11 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 14, 2009 2:18 PM in response to mestein

Have you installed the game properly? By that, I mean, is it running off the Mac's hard drive?

Did you do the usual general trouble-shooting procedures...?

Run Disk Utility and use the +Repair Disk Permissions+ routine (on the +First Aid+ tab) on your startup disk.

Reset PRAM

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

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Answer 2

mestein Author

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Jun 14, 2009 7:36 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Thanks for posting back! I did install the game onto the hard drive. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the game twice as well in the same manner. I ran Disk Utility and Reset the PRAM, but it still doesn't work! I don't understand why I seem to be the only Sims 3 customer (mac AND pc) that seems to be having this saving problem. Could it be a flaw in the disc or a flaw with my computer? Any more insights would be greatly appreciated.

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Answer 3

Jun 14, 2009 8:37 PM in response to mestein

I know something had to be wrong when I heard it was coming out for Mac and PC at the same time, LOL! Have you in the past played Sims 1 or 2? Is the interface different? I have not spring for Sims 3 yet, myself, and it's irritating that I can't make a backup of the game disk like I could for Sims 1. When you have to insert the disk every time you play, I figure there could be wear and tear on it.

I wonder if some other application you have on your hard drive is having a conflict with your Sims?

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Answer 4

Jun 14, 2009 8:49 PM in response to mestein

As a test, I would create a new admin user account in System Preferences Accounts pane

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/8235.html

Log out and log in to the new account. This account will be using fresh and default user preference files. Try running that game while logged into this account, and note if the same problem occurs or not.

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Answer 5

mestein Author

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Jun 15, 2009 6:03 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Unfortunately, the same problem did occur even with the new account! 😟

What was interesting, though, was that when I initially attempted to run the game with the new account, I got a "Disk Authorization Error" and had to restart my computer for the disk to get recognized as a legit sims 3 game.

Also, is all of this force shutting down my computer going to hurt it in any way?

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Answer 6

Jun 16, 2009 5:31 AM in response to mestein

I'm unable to offer a solution, but just to say you are not alone. I'm having exactly the same issue!

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Answer 7

mestein Author

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Jun 16, 2009 6:30 AM in response to MacHenley

Really?! I could swear I was the only one considering everyone at EA games tech support is dumbfounded. You can't save either? Must be a flaw with the game, right?

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Answer 8

Jun 16, 2009 9:10 PM in response to mestein

I've got that exact problem and i'm clueless as well.

Message was edited by: Cloud7745

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Answer 9

Jun 17, 2009 3:55 AM in response to mestein

Yes I think it's a bug, I really cannot think of anything else to try, and it does effectively make the game useless, I also have the same problem on an iMac.

The only thing I can add to stop you have to turn the complete machine off which isn't good, but entr Alt CmdPower button briefly and it should to a forced quit, which will enable you to stop the machine in an organised way, however even that doesn't seem to kill the sims application all the time. But you can at least close anything else that may be running.

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Answer 10

Jun 18, 2009 12:29 PM in response to mestein

I also have the same issue. Saving wont work, just spins forever, has anyone figured out a fix for this????

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Answer 11

mestein Author

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Jun 20, 2009 11:15 AM in response to antonio3427

Haven't figured anything out yet. I have a back and forth going with the "more advanced" technical support people at EA games after yelling at an idiot on the phone, who repeatedly attempted to give me trouble shooting tips for PC. Regardless, these technical support people seem clueless. Must be a bug in the software only affecting Macs. Very upsetting.

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Answer 12

mestein Author

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Jun 20, 2009 11:16 AM in response to antonio3427

Haven't figured anything out yet. I have a back and forth going with the "more advanced" technical support people at EA games after yelling at an idiot on the phone, who repeatedly attempted to give me trouble shooting tips for PC. Regardless, these technical support people seem clueless. Must be a bug in the software only affecting Macs. Very upsetting.

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Answer 13

Jun 20, 2009 11:45 AM in response to mestein

Hi
I play sims3 on my intel imac -- saves fine. After you installed the game did it download a patch as mine did? Maybe the fix is in that patch?

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Answer 14

mestein Author

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Jun 20, 2009 12:33 PM in response to harryp_888

Jealous!

I did install the patch right away so that can't be the problem. I'm certainly curious why it works on your Intel-based Imac and not the rest of us. Is there anything unique about your computer?

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Answer 15

Jun 20, 2009 1:13 PM in response to mestein

Just a standard imac 2.93 ghz with 4 gb memory. i have an external HD for time machine back-ups but thats it - as it came out of the box.

i must admit when you do a save it doesn't seem very slick if you can understand that - like it might 'hang' but it always saves fine.

Tell me how do you launch your sims 3....

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