How to Manually Install The Sims 2

You're not alone! Installing The Sims 2 and some of its expansion sets can be frustrating. If you receive an error message telling you "there was a problem installing file X," your system thinks it's incompatible. But fear not! Follow these steps for the alternative installation you'll need.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Insert your Sims 2 CD/DVD into your disk drive.

2. Open up your local hard drive.

3. Go to File, New, Folder.

4. Name this folder "Disk Images."

5. Go into the "Disk Images" folder and create another folder called "Disk1." If you're installing a version of The Sims 2 or an expansion with multiple disks, create folders for each disk. Label them "Disk2," "Disk3" and "Disk4." It's important you don't put a space in between "Disk" and the number you use.

6. Open up "My Computer" and select your Sims 2 CD. If the autorun comes up, cancel it as well as the installation.

7. Right-click The Sims 2 CD. Click "Explore."

8. Click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window and choose "Select All." You can also press CTRL+A.

9. Click on the "Edit" tab again and select "Copy." CTRL+C also works.

10. Head into your "Disk1" folder. Go to the "Edit" tab and select "Paste." CTRL+V works as well. Continue until you've copied and pasted the information from all the disks into their appropriate folders.

11. Find the autorun file in the "Disk1" folder and double click it. This should install the game as normal. When you are finished, you can delete the "Disk Images" folder.

Tips & Warnings

• If you encounter any file transfer errors when copying and pasting, try cleaning your disk. If that fails, your disk is either scratched or corrupted. You'll need to buy a replacement from EA Games. Typically this runs around $13.

[jelna0967]

on 12/20/2009 When i have finished installing the sims 2 and finding the crack and then i have opened it... it shows a pop out window it says an icon like a red circle with an letter X inside in the circle... and have no letters... it says nothing... and i just click ok and then it happens nothing... the sims 2 didn't opened i think my DVD is fake?

or...?

the sims 1 is required?...

[thinker1994]

on 9/29/2009 Can i put them on drive (D:) on windows vista? does this also work on the expasion packs and stuff?

[combo20]

on 6/21/2009 I followed the instructions above! I have already installed the 1st disc, then the computer says "insert disc 2". The CDs are my friend's and i already gave it back to her. I just copied into my disk images folder the contents of all her Sims 2 CDs. What will i do next? pls pls pls help, thanks so much

[Sentigen]

on 6/19/2009 There are a number of problems that can occur during a manual install. Some of them are due to a faulty disc, others are due to system incompatibilities. If you're having trouble manually installing and what I've got here doesn't work for you, talk to EA tech support.

http://thesims2.ea.com/help/index.php?pid=Help

[juju503]

on 6/11/2009 it says CANNOT COPY DXNT. cycilic redudancy check????? this is during the tranfer from sims 2 to disk 1...