Game doesn't properly install... (See last post)

[Kayleena]

Okay, so you may have seen me post quite a few times with issues on my game, most importantly, the Exception Raised issue. Well, I've found nothing to help fix it, but in some thread I read, a moderator had mentioned a proper way to uninstall all EP, SPs, and the base game, and then linked to a great way to install the games (in order) and patch correctly on a Mac. I just can't find that post anywhere, nor the link they had listed.


Prepare for lots of words...

This is basically my last, most desperate, try in order to fix my game. Chances are it may not work, but I can only hope.
I actually called Apple Support and this guy... he was a real winner. He used Google, but oh no, all the game threads were blocked. So he couldn't see any of the complaints/reports from other people that I have already seen, and have been seeing for months.
Just yesterday I decided to try and search only "Exception Raised." I found videos on Youtube that didn't help, and a thread for some game called Legend of... something - it started with an L. Anyway, this person had the error pop up on him too, and he had actually found a fix! So I did what he did... I updated Adobe Air. Well, it didn't work for me. Sucks.
The Apple Support guy had told me to contact support through EA. I've already done that, and I didn't get any help. He told me to contact them because he's not familiar with their software, so I made sure to mention that this doesn't just happen with Sims 3. It happens with other computer based games. Dragon Age, that Legend game, WoW, etc. Not just Sims 3, but he didn't understand that, or something because he told me to try again with EA. You know what EA told me to do? "Purchase a new Mac." Because I totally have 2 grand to buy another computer. I bought this one with a school loan.
Apple Support dude also mentioned that 64 bit systems sometimes don't like to run 32 bit programs. He said it's possible to run the game in 32 bit mode, but oh man... he didn't know how to do that. So I Googled it. You're supposed to right click/control+left click on the Sims3.app file and click on Get Info. There's an option to check a box to run the game in 32 bit mode. Well, that option isn't there for me, and I can't find anything else on the internet to help me.

So yea... I'm just going to uninstall and reinstall in hopes that it works. I don't really have anything to lose because I haven't been able to create any sims that are worth saving.

[ellacharmed]

Searching "uninstall" in the Wiki did not return anything?
Do you mean these:
- Game_Help:TS3_Uninstall#Manually_Uninstalling_in_Mac_OS
- Game_Help:TS3_PatchingEPSP

Your enquiry prompted me to revisit the above pages to see that they needed some updates, so thanks.

That 32bit stuff is a bunch of hooey crapola, IMO. Ignore it. Its just a bunch of excuses.
If Apple wants to really say that, then all the 32bit applications developers can demand why their older programs can no longer work in new versions of Mac OSX. Enterprise systems are notorious for being "from last generation" as updating or upgrading anything is a huge expense. Which would hardly entice any IT Department Manager in-charge of equipment purchases to upgrade their Apple hardware or purchase new Apple hardware, especially if newer hardware is guaranteed to break their older applications. Sometimes, this fingerpointing and excuses just to say "my stuff is not the one at fault" really astounds me.

[Kayleena]

I guess my naivety paid off there? lol, I'm sorry. I had looked through the WIki, but I didn't search using keywords. I posted here in hopes that I could be linked to the post where the suggestion was made.
But thank you for posting the links. I'm going to put them in my bookmarks.

Well, after that guy basically wasted my time, I called back to ask another question, but I had forgot what that question was and also can't remember what it is now. This guy was more helpful, and even put me on hold to speak with senior officials. Whether that's a lie or not, who knows. But he was nice and had more information than the guy before. He said that with the error is caused when the game tries to write or overwrite files on the system, which Mac doesn't allow, unlike Windows. He also mentioned that Sims 3 really only needs to update their game coding and bring out a new patch. So if he's right, then I play the waiting game.
I guess I could hound EA with complaints, but who knows how much that will really look.

But I agree... so many "professional" companies are very quick to point fingers.

[Mordant17]

Most of the articles have tables of contents at the top, and one section is usually titled for macs. That's a good spot to look if you're trying to find mac-specific instructions.

[Kayleena]

Oh this is fun... My uninstaller app is "damaged or incomplete."

Edit
Well... I'm pretty sure I did something stupid. Out of anger. Since I couldn't uninstall the game with the uninstaller, I deleted them all from my Applications folder, and all my preferences.
So now... the game installs, but it doesn't give me the The Sims 3 icon to click on to play the game. The only files in the folder after installing are the read me file and the sims3.app file. I can click on it and the launcher loads, but the Downloads and Uploads buttons aren't there. I can click play, and it just closes. It will ask me if I want to update my game, and I'll click no, and the Launcher shows the minimal buttons (Welcome and Game Updates), and the icon isn't in the bar below everything where you see what games are installed.

Any help with fixing this? I'm checking the FAQ right now. I've been searching uninstall issues, but nothing's turning up. Bah...
But now I'm searching for my new issue.

[Mordant17]

The link ellacharm3d gave you has instructions on how to manually uninstall (ie, not using the uninstaller).

delete your /Applications/The Sims 3 folder and any others for SP/EP (if applicable)
delete your /Users/<User>/Library/Preferences/The Sims 3 Preferences folder
delete your /Users/<User>/Library/Caches/<any Sims 3 related folder or file>
rename your /Users/<User>/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 3 folder – you can keep this as a backup, so that you can put your old savegames, syles, screenshots etc back once reinstallation was successful.

[Kayleena]

Yea, well I did that in the end. I'm not trying to overlook instructions, but I'm frustrated. I'm not entirely familiar with Macs just yet, so I get confused. I am one of those people who, when a first step goes wrong, doesn't think that the next step is an alternate instruction, because I overreact in my own mind. Especially when I'm unfamiliar with the process for the time being, and even if the instructions are clear as possible. I've always been like that. So I don't want you guys to think that I can't follow instructions - I just need extra help sometimes.

But I've edited my previous post with my newest issue. I've deleted my files following the steps listed, and reinstalled, and I get the same issue. The Electronic Arts folder also isn't created upon installing the game.

http://thegouldengirl.com/Sims.png
That's what's in my Sims 3 folder in my Applications.

[ellacharmed]

If you do the steps and get the same issue, means it is time to do different steps, especially if you have skipped steps thinking they don't apply to your situation.

Did you follow through with the extra steps, then? Removing the System files - Preferences and Library/Caches bits?
It is OK to just manually remove the file from the /Applications folder versus using the Uninstaller, but you HAVE to do the above as well. On OSX Lion, they are hidden files.

If you have problems following our guides (I know I'm a bit long-winded), try other guides. Bluebellflora has one with pictures, and included the step on how to unhide hidden files, as well (a step I presume all Mac users know, but looks like I better include this). http://bluebellflora.com/ts3-on-a-mac/how-to-do-a-clean-uninstall-and-reinstall-on-a-mac-2

If you want to improve our Uninstall guide (improve my rambling sentences), or share images that I can use in our wiki, upload them here, and I'll transfer it (or upload to the wiki if you've an account). I believe our Help pages are protected from vandalism as so many access it everyday.