I've started playing Sims 2 again and am now the proud collector of all the expansions set except the items ones. I have Pets, University, Bon Voyage, Nightlife, Open for Business etc. I've spent a small fortune on Sims 2. >_>
As I've recently upgraded my almost 5 year old PC, and completely replaced it with a brand new one, I am expecting Sims 2 to run lag-free on this machine. Unfortunately, as with all new systems, this one comes with Vista installed.
And despite what EA says about Sims 2 running fine on Vista, I've encountered problems, display driver crashing and recovering, lag and more lag. I really thought 2GB ram is a good config to run Sims 2 but I think I'm dead wrong here. I have to disconnect the internet, pull out the anti-virus software and my firewall to free up more memory.
Then, there's the root of all my woes. My custom downloads won't appear in the game. Mind you, I have researche hours and hours literally on the net to try to get this to work. Enabled downloads in the game config, disabled and restart, then enable and restart, checking my bloody downloads folder is spelt exactly 'Downloads' and even deleteing it and let the Sims Exchange create it for me etc. All are no use.
Then, one day, my customs items appear in the catalog and at least gave me some minor consolation. Only the buy and build catalog custom items. I cannot access all the beautiful skins, hairstyles, cloths and genetics I download. Interestingly, if I randomize my sims in the create family mode, some of the custom hairstyles mysteriously appear. Gods, but they simply won't appear in the catalog so I cannot choose what I want.
The sims in my neighbourhood ends up looking like everyone else. This is so frustrating.
Yesterday, I had the last straw. I uninstalled all the expansions, and Sims 2. I pulled out all my install boxes and re-install everything again. Sims 2, Nightlife, University, Pets, Open for Business, Seasons and last Bon Voyage. Then, I moved in all my custom items into the Downloads directory and start up my game. Viola, everything is there, all my custom hairstyles, skins, makeup, buy and build catalog. Awesome!!!
Finally, I'm enjoying playing, now if the bloody game will stop crashing and lagging every once in a while. >_> But, hey, my new sims are beautiful and I have fun creating fantasy sims like elves and dark elves etc. I really want to create a family on D Gray Man, the exorcists - namely Kanda Yuu *insert fangirl scream*.