Updates and Patches,

Electronic Arts issue new patches and updates for the game. High-end Loft stuff. f.e. mostly consists of updates and contains very few new items for the game.
For the old, downloaded, games it is therefor almost impossible to know how to implement these updates into your games. That is why I advise owners of older downloads to look for a more modern type of downloads in the form of ISO-files.
Also people who prefer to play with a NoCD-crack will be better off with an ISO or DAA file.

YOUR GAME IS AN ORIGINAL

When you own an original game and you do not play with a NoCD-crack, updating is no problem at all.
If a NoCD-crack is required because you'd rather not use your expensive original DVD, then make a virtual DVD (see article at the bottom of this page)

YOUR GAME IS A DOWNLOAD (poweriso)

Here, the same applies as for original Games. You will not have any problems updating.

YOUR GAME IS A COPY, DOWNLOAD OR YOU USE AN OLD-FASHIONED NOCD-CRACK
(Pretty much outdated and not recemmendable)


NoCD-crcks have a lifespan that ends with almost every new update/patch for the game. Each patch requires a new crack. Also the original startfiles are required every time you do an update. That's why I recommend:

  • You only have Sims-3, no other expansions. Place the original startfiles, do the updates and place a crack for the latest version.
  • You also have Worldadventures: Again, place the original startfiles and never replace them with a nocd-crack.
    Place the original startfiles of Worladventures, do the updates and then place the nocd-crack for the latest version of Worldadventures.
  • You have Worldadventues and High-end loft stuff: Place the original startfiles of the Sims3, Worldadventures and High-end Loft stuff, do the updates and only put a nocd crack in High-end Loft.

So, as soon as you have installed an expansion, you must make sure that in the earlier packages you only have the original startfiles installed. After that just install the crack for the highest expansion. In case you downloaded Sims 3 and Worldadventues and you've bought High-End Loft, place the original startfiles for the downloaded programms, prior to installing High-End Loft.

Original startfiles Sims-3 Download
Original startfiles Wereldavonturen Download
Original startfiles Luxe Accessoires Download
NOCD-crack Sims-3                 version 1.10.6 Download
NoCD-crack Worldadventues    version 2.5.12 Download
NoCD-crack High-End Loft        version 3.1.7 Download

Location: Program Files /. Electronic Arts / name game / Game / Bin
Unpack the downloads with winrar and place the 2 files in the above mentioned directory
Overwrite (XP) or Copy and Replace (Vista and Windows 7) - Yes.

Too complicated ? - Delete your existing games (don't forget the folders) and re-install the lot . Finally install the crack for your highest expansion pack.

MAKE A NOCD-CRACK WHEN YOU OWN THE ORIGINAL DVD
(No problems with updating whatsoever)

When you have an original DVD you can quite easily produce a virtual DVD to install and/or play the game. (Also quite useful for families with more than 1 computer)

  1. Download the programm PowerIso and Select Run
  2. Open PowerIso, ignore the warnings and continue as unregistered
  3. Put your original in your DVD-station.
  4. In PowerIso, Select Tools and Make CD/DVD-ROM image file
  5. A copy of your DVD will now be produced
  6. Again, select Tools and Mount image file to virtual player
  7. Look for the file Sims.daa (golden CD by default in My Documents)
  8. Remove the original DVD from your computer and play the game

Optional: Tools - Virtual station - Options, select Automatic Mount.  The virtual DVD will now remain mounted whenever you start your computer.