The Sims on XP

[Clodfobble]

Since my husband has lately gotten a brand new MMORPG to play (City of Heroes) I was feeling a bit jealous and was considering reinstalling The Sims (just the original, not any of the expansion packs) on my computer.

But I have upgraded to Windows XP since I last played it, and can't get it to install. One website claims that they should be compatible, but nowhere else even mentions the two together, that I can find. Anyone know of a patch out there that will let me play?

[elSicomoro]

Did you check EA's website?

[Clodfobble]

Yes, but all of their instructions were general troubleshooting, and none of them worked (I'm not getting a specific error message; setup.exe simply doesn't do anything.) I could directly email them, I just figured it was such a popular game, there might be a patch out there on the many file-sharing services I'm too chicken to use.

[Troubleshooter]

Try using compatibility mode.

From the XP Help:

Getting older programs to run on Windows XPMost programs run properly on Windows XP. The exceptions are some older games and other programs that were written specifically for an earlier version of Windows. To run your program on Windows XP, try the following:

Run the Program Compatibility Wizard. As an alternative, you can set the compatibility properties manually.
Update your program, drivers, or hardware.
These options are covered in detail below.

The Program Compatibility Wizard
This wizard prompts you to test your program in different modes (environments) and with various settings. For example, if the program was originally designed to run on Windows 95, set the compatibility mode to Windows 95 and try running your program again. If successful, the program will start in that mode each time. The wizard also allows you to try different settings, such as switching the display to 256 colors and the screen resolution to 640 x 480 pixels.

If compatibility problems prevent you from installing a program on Windows XP, run the Program Compatibility Wizard on the setup file for the program. The file may be called Setup.exe or something similar, and is probably located on the Installation disc for the program.

To run the Program Compatibility Wizard
Start the Program Compatibility Wizard.
Follow the instructions in the wizard.
Note

To start the Program Compatibility Wizard, click Start, click Help and Support, click Find compatible hardware and software for Windows XP, and then, under See Also in the navigation pane, click Program Compatibility Wizard.
Set the compatibility properties manually
As an alternative to running the Program Compatibility Wizard, you can set the compatibility properties for a program manually. The settings are the same as the options in the Program Compatibility Wizard.

To set the compatibility properties for a program manually
Right-click the program icon on your desktop or the shortcut on the Start menu for the program you want to run, and then click Properties.
Click the Compatibility tab, and change the compatibility settings for your program.
Notes

The Compatibility tab is only available for programs installed on your hard drive. Although you can run the Program Compatibility Wizard on programs or setup files on a CD-ROM or floppy disk, your changes will not remain in effect after you close the program.
For more information about an option on the Compatibility tab, right-click the option and then click What's This.
Update your program or drivers
If your program does not run correctly after testing it with the Program Compatibility Wizard, check the Web for updates or other fixes, as follows:

Check the Web site of the program's manufacturer to see if an update or patch is available.
Check Windows Update to see if a fix is available for the program. Click Home on the menu bar of Help and Support Center, then click Windows Update in the right pane.
If the program is a game that uses DirectX, ensure that you are using the latest version of DirectX. In addition, check the Web site of the manufacturer of your video card or sound card to see if newer drivers are available for either of them.

[perth]

Just did an install of the Sims on XP, went fine. Maybe something specific to your config? What video and sound are you using? RAM? Anything out of the ordinary in startup?

Oh, and if I ever drag myself away from Star Wars Galaxies, I'll be getting into City of Heroes too. Played the beta and that game kicked serious ass.

[Clodfobble]

Got it figured out last night. Turns out you must have Administrator privileges to run some software, which I did have, but for some reason because my account was the second created they didn't entirely register. We re-established my Administrator privileges and it worked fine. Thanks everyone!

[Troubleshooter]

Here's how you avoid that administrator problem in the future.

When I install 2k or XP I simply rename the administrator account to whatever I want my username to be. It saves trouble and harddrive space and confusion about who has installed what and where.

[jaguar]

Am I the only one that thinks it's shitty coding to the extreme to force a GAME to run as root?

[Troubleshooter]

Originally posted by jaguar
Am I the only one that thinks it's shitty coding to the extreme to force a GAME to run as root?

Depends on how paranoid you are with your PC. People look at mine and it makes me crince. I have a very poor view of the skills of others when it comes to PC use. Requiring permissions to install stuff isn't necessarily a bad idea.

[jaguar]

I keep most of my stuff 4096RSA encrypted, the private key is in a bank vault and the passphrase is nearly 1500chars. I'm sitting behind a hardened linux firewall, a secondary firewall and IDS, this box is locked down to hell and noone else is allowed to touch this machine. I'm sure I've got a tinfoil hat somewhere.

Those poor skills are exactly why they shouldn't have root to run a goddamn game, if they can run a game root they can download god knows what off the net and run it as root too.

[Happy Monkey]

A game that must be installed as root may be defensible, but a game shouldn't have to be run as root.

[Troubleshooter]

Originally posted by jaguar
I keep most of my stuff 4096RSA encrypted, the private key is in a bank vault and the passphrase is nearly 1500chars. I'm sitting behind a hardened linux firewall, a secondary firewall and IDS, this box is locked down to hell and noone else is allowed to touch this machine. I'm sure I've got a tinfoil hat somewhere.

Dude, damn...

[jaguar]

and that stuff is on media, so I have to insert it manually first at any rate. There are three seperate smart-card readers on my desk for different auth nets. You know maybe I need to talk to someone about this.

[Undertoad]

...but you're still running Windows, so the only thing you know for certain is that you're not completely locked down.

[jaguar]

Running windows?! Hell no.

OSX.

There's nothing externally accessiable running and I can watch for anything odd with ethreal if I feel like it.