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Lab Assistant
Original Poster
#1 Old 23rd Jan 2019 at 5:06 PM

This user has the following games installed:

Sims 2, University, Nightlife, Open for Business, Pets, Seasons, Bon Voyage, Free Time, Apartment Life
Default How to Fix or Replace Broken or Missing CDs from the Base Game CD Edition - This is a Guide
Hello! I have found that a lot of people online are missing discs of the CD Edition of the Base Game or have scratched the discs so they cannot read. This is a guide on how to fix this problem. (again, sorry if not the right forum but this will help people, so maybe the help thread is the right place.)
I myself own three base game copies. The CD Edition with Family Fun Stuff, Double Deluxe and Ultimate Collection. For many years I have mishandled and mistreated discs and I ruined Disc 3 of the CD Edition. Upon insertion it will error out the installation.

The local video store has been closed for years and I know no one else with the game. Toothpaste was no option either. This is a list on ways you can solve this problem through various methods.

1. Loan from a friend!
This was not applicable in my case as I don't know anybody else who plays the Sims . Unlike me, someone probably does know someone who has these discs as well. Don't take all the discs and the product key, take the disc you need to continue with the install. Disc 1 is a problem as mounted .iso files will not allow the game to run after the install and copied discs might not work*. Do make a copy of the disc/s you are missing however, in case you need to install again. (Don't make copies of all the discs and give them away, that's illegal!)
*Not certain about copied discs. Certain about .iso files.

2. Try toothpaste (1/2)
This only applies to people who have the disc and instead have scratched it like me, but there are plenty of guides online. Stronger abrasives may be needed.

3. Reconstruct the files, Discs 2, 3, 4 and Limited 1 (1/2)
I had no option further but then to give this a crack. My Disc 3's file system was intact and 99% of the files could be accessed. So, I proceeded with this plan I thought up.
1. I made a folder with a generic name. This would become my working directory. Something like "The Sims 2 Disc Repair*"
2. I noted the file structure of Disc 3. (This is my Disc 3, it may be missing files.)

4. I proceded to copy all the files into their folders in the working directory. However, almost every file in the Sims3D folder failed to copy. This was where my problem was.
5. I brought out my Double Deluxe disc and copied the missing Sims3D files (including the working ones on the CD)
6. With a now complete file structure (with 9 files from 2005 and the rest from 2004, with folders from 2004 and 2019,) I burnt them to a blank CD.
Here's the split. The PC failed to recognise the existence of the disc. Use all purpose CDs or DVDs and not audio CDs. This was probably why it failed to load the disc.
So either,
a. Burn the CD right.
b. Make an .iso with the files and mount it.
B isn't viable for older machines like the one I was installing on, as Windows XP, what I was using doesn't have native .iso mounting. I followed this guide, http://www.techerator.com/2009/06/h...les-in-windows/

Now, this method could only be used in specific circumstances.
It requires that,
1. The disc is not missing, only damaged.
2. You have Deluxe, Double Deluxe or Ultimate Collection on hand*. Have a loaned disc that replaces the one you're missing is useless as you can just make a straight copy.
^ Ultimate Collection is not advised unless you have freshly installed it. Because it is not installation media and in fact the actual game, files may get screwed up and you'll probably get a dodgy repair.
* Or any other compilation that includes the BG
3. The disc specific files, AKA the Disc Installer files (RunGame.exe, autorun.inf, Sims2.ico, setup.exe etc.) are there. RunGame.exe might not be needed, Sims2.ico isn't necessary but you'll probably want autorun.inf as that has specific instructions. The Game files can
be replaced but autorun.inf is specific per disc.
4. Disc 1 is limited to be repaired in this manner as if setup.exe is damaged, or a wide variety of other files the whole thing is borked. Only the Game files should be replaced.

Upon mounting the .iso of the fixed Disc 3 the installation continued and I can now use the pure base game.


However, if the above doesn't work for you...
4. Buy another copy.
Some people don't know anyone and are not sociable (me*) so 1. cannot apply and if your disc is very damaged like mine or if it is missing 2. will not work. Some people don't have the technical knowledge to do step 4 or can't do it because of circumstances. Suck it up and buy a used copy on eBay** or something and wait for it to arrive. Just make sure the discs are in good condition and there is every disc. Maybe buy the special DVD edition so you don't have to deal with multiple discs.
*Self Humiliating Joke. I'm not humiliated.
**Not sponsoring eBay, this was the first thing that came to mind.

I think I'm done here.
Hope this helps people, steps 1, 2 and 3 are general tips to do in this situation but 4. is rather specialised and really only applies to the Sims 2.
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