Sims 2 Ultimate Collection & CCleaner

I had to re-install the UC about a month ago directly from Origin. I often use CCleaner but had an issue after I used it to clean Registry, and after I launched the game or Bodyshop.

After cleaning with CCleaner and then relauching the game or Bodyshop I got an error saying that the Sims 2 could not be found. I searched on forums and about the paul.dll but nothing that helped.

I found out by myself and here is the tip to avoid getting the error :

If you have CCleaner installed, DON'T clean the Registry with it. Use another tool, but just not CCleaner.

After you got that error, you'll have to fix the Sims 2 UC directly at Origin (right click on the S2 UC game cover, you got an option to fix). It might take about five minutes, let the process finish.

Once it's done, log out from Origin and try launch your game or Bodyshop. If the problem persists, do a re-install and fix again via Origin.

Again : don't clean the Registry with CCleaner. As simple as that.

I hope it helps.

Thanks Lizzy, for thhe tip! I have used CCleaner and cleaned the registry, and I wonder if using the registry cleaner has caused some of the issues I have with SimPE not reading CEP in PhotoStudio...

I haven't tested for CEP. All I know is that for SimPE Photostudio something is needed, you should check back to the official SimPE site. Don't forget to get the SimPE directories correct for all UC (EPs, SPs), this changes.

With UC, CEP needs to be also installed in a specific way. I use manual install which I think is better. In fact all gets installed correctly in the right directories, but check.

Also for S2 UC, in My Document you'll have a The Sims 2 folder which is empty. Leave it this way and don't use it.

I can't tell for sure. But I'd say try and install CEP first. Manually is explained at MTS by Numenor :

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Read carefully Numenor's instructions which is a txt Instructions_WINDOWS. The main folder that needs to contain _EnableColorOptionsMMAT with S2 UC is Double Deluxe > Base > TSData > Res > Sims3D and other CEP Extra packages for objects should go to Double Deluxe > Base > TSData > Res > Catalog > zCEP-EXTRA.

For SimPE go to ambertation here : [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Follow the instructions carefully for what is needed. I think you need SimPE templates set up + DirectX Managed Code for SimPE (which is simpe_mdxredist). Don't confuse this DirectX Managed Code with the usual DirectX for Windows, it's absolutely different.

I recommend the manual installation of SimPE, the Photostudio is added while I think that as SimPE exe it isn't. After installation do the check of settings, etc. SimPE would shout maybe not finding the right Sims 2 directory, let it shout, and just get the right EPs, SPs directories for UC and don't forget to save.

I got all Sims 2 programs on external disk with some necessary stuff for each in a folder. Example : SimPE folder, I put there the manual version (it has all files, dlls, etc.) and supplementary stuff like the above mentioned.

Well, I finally got it working! The problem was with SimPE, and when I did a manual install and that straightened it out. CEP was being installed correctly, so there was no need to install it manually. I was able to finish the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] I wanted to make for Christmas - better late than ever! Thanks for the help, Lizzy, you're a gem!

I just saw your lovely paintings. I'm glad that it now works for you.

For the time being, while sorting my downloads (it takes ages LOL) I often use SimPE to extract textues of clothes for which meshes are missing, so I can put them on another mesh; with better shoes, or to make of full outfits seperates (top, bottom).

I was more worried about the CCleaner issue which I explained in my first post, because it happened after I had to restore my whole PC system about two months ago. I had no such issues before that, but the restoring certainly purged old Sims 2 files for good, and I always re-installed my old CCleaner version. I also hoped it wasn't a virus or something. But it couldn't be that at all.

For CCleaner, I got an old version which works really fine for me. In the CCleaner settings I don't change anything, because for the Registry tab and options to check or uncheck, I feel a bit dumb. So for clearing cache ONLY I use it. For registry cleaning I use Glary Utilities as well as Mc Afee.

In regard to "fixing", I don't know what you mean. But if it's the PC sys registry, Glary Utilities might help you to do it. For the PC database, checking and fixing, go to the hard drive (C), right click, go to Properties and then to Tools and choose "Check now" or something and also click on the option to correct errors. Then restart your comp and let the checking go : it might take over three hours. I do that every week or two weeks.

For Sims 2 UC as explained, go to Origin to download, install and also "fix" to update a few things. It's all I did, before reinstalling all other Sims 2 related stuff like CEP (first to install), SimPE and Homecrafter.

If you use the Aussitopenders tool for beddings, you'll have to download suuplementary files and all is explained at sims2artists here : [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] - this is a bit complicated but there's no other way to have the Easy bedding tool to work for Windows 7 and upper.

For some other tips, visit Kim's Wordpress :

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[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] (Homecrafter)