Weird lot problem - solid blue, can't load, can't bulldoze

[fanseelamb]

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, so take a look:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y270/fanseelamb/snapshot_00000003_b0d97e9f.jpg

See the solid blue lot in the middle of the neighborhood, with a plumbob over it? I can't load it, can't bulldoze it, can't move the family out, can't do anything with it. It's just... stuck there like that. If I recall correctly, it was a group of 8 sims on completely empty lot - I might have deleted the mailbox & trashcan and accidentally saved. The sims living there still wander around the neighborhood, but I can't do anything with the lot.

Is the deleted mailbox/trashcan the culprit or is something else wrong? Anyone know how to remedy the problem, or should I just trash the 'hood and begin anew? It's only my "testing grounds" neighborhood for holding photoshoots and stuff like that, so would be no big loss anyway.

[AngelFrouk]

I have seen this a couple of times in threads, and if i remember well, at least one of the threadstarters deleted the trashcan or mailbox. I can't find the threads right now, but there are at least two of them around somewhere.
I don't think there is a solution to this problem.

[gwillewyn]

I've had that problem. I also deleted the trashcan and mailbox.
Most other people I've seen with this happening has sworn they didn't delete the mailbox, so I'm glad to hear that there is something behind my theory.

I never found a solution to it. In the end I just started a new neighbourhood.

[jaxad0127]

You could use SimPE to put the family into the family bin. That should allow you to delete the lot in game.

[gwillewyn]

My lot didn't have a family in it.
When I tried to put one in the lot it said there was no lot there. My lot couldn't be picked up, it couldn't be moved, it was like it wasn't there, but I couldn't put another lot on the land.

SimPe is brobably your best bet if you want to save the family.

[fanseelamb]

Thanks everyone! Like I said, I don't really care about the family. They've already served their purpose (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=116060) :lol: - but it's good to know that deleting the mailbox/trashcan was indeed the problem, and how to fix it if it should occur again in the future.

Such quick replies too... thanks again!! :D

[palabravampiress]

I had this problem after I placed a very large lot. Some of the road became blue, and I couldn't place lots on either side of it. There was no garbage/mailbox issue.

And fanseelamb - is your photo "Rage" from QAF?

[fanseelamb]

That sucks, palabravampiress. :(

(Ha! Sucks.... vampiress... get it? I kill me! :laugh:)

*note to self - make ALF sim*

Er, sorry. Yeah - that's Rage in my avatar. You can download him here (http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?t=72025) if you want. :)

[eddief66]

Use the cheat boolProp showLotPackageFilename true . That will show the lot filename when you hove your mouse over it. Then you can just go into the neighborhood folder and delete the lot. On second thought move it to the desktop or someplace else just in case.

[fanseelamb]

Oooh thank you, eddie!!! I'll try that! :D

Edit: Hm, well that ... kind of worked? The problem lot would not even display the filename using this cheat, but all the other lots do - so it's a pretty simple process of elimination since there are only 6 lots in the 'hood. Hopefully deleting it will do the trick. :)

[gwillewyn]

Handy in test neighbourhoods with three or four lots. A bit more complicated if it's a huge neighbourhood with dusins of lot you use for actual play.

But it's the best suggetion yet.

[jaxad0127]

Don't forget the Lot Description in the neighborhood package.

[fanseelamb]

Don't forget the Lot Description in the neighborhood package.

Um, translation please? :)

Do I need to edit that with SimPE after deleting the lot? I haven't tried loading the game again yet....

[jaxad0127]

Yes. Open the neighborhood in simpe and find the lot's description and delete it.

[fanseelamb]

Yay!!! The ugly patch of blue nothingness is now gone, and I can place new lots there and everything. Thanks a bunch, everyone. :D