I want to apologize to any Simmers who were waiting for Issue 2 of The Pleasantview Pioneer.  I had to take a break to work on getting my TS2 game to work properly again.  I was unable to load any lot--residential or commercial.  It just stopped while loading.

So, I tried a number of things.  I defragged my computer, I deleted unused CC from Body Shop, I deleted cache files (the one the computer re-generates each time), I deleted CC that I downloaded the day before the problem occurred and I even cleaned the Mansion & Gardens disc that I use to play the game which is all shinny and new looking now.  Good news was that my computer worked faster.  Bad news was that it still stopped when I tried to load a lot.    

Next, I went to MTS or ModtheSims in their Sims 2 section under the "Game Problems FAQ" section.  And, there was my problem, "The game crashes or freezes when loading a lot."  I hadn't used those words but "freeze" is exactly what my game did.  So, step by step I followed their SimsWiki directions which followed the statement that 95% of the game's problems were due to CC or Custom Content.

First, I did a back up of the Neighborhoods folder, copying it to a flash drive.  This is recommended since all CC will disappear during the next steps.  Then, I removed both the Downloads and the Saved Sims folders from my Sims 2 folder and placed them on my desktop.  The Saved Sims folder is removed as some saved sims may have CC as well.  Then, I checked my game and it ran beautifully (and faster) but without any CC.  This confirmed that CC was the problem.  Next I went piece by piece through my Downloads folder.  I had deleted some CC that was near the bottom with the modified date of 05/30/2012 and thought I'd removed all of it;  however, as I got to the top of the folder (I started at the bottom) I found 28 more pieces of CC with that date and ruthlessly deleted every one.  Then, I did the same thing with the Saved Sims folder but no problem there.

Finally, I moved my "cleaned out" Downloads and my Saved Sims folders from my desktop back into my Sims 2 game.  Then, for the test.  Will it work now?  So, back into my TS2 game and the test--entering a lot.  Yes!  It worked!  I not only was able to enter any lot that I wanted to but all of my CC was back exactly where I put it, originally.  So, there was no need to use my back up of the Neighborhoods folder.  I was so happy.    

Needless to say, this delayed my game play and my writing.  But, hope you enjoy Issue 2 of The Pleasantview Pioneer which I will be posting next.  

Lilly