Using computer for writing books

Jeansoo

Hi, one of my sims has writer aspiration and he needs to write a book on computer. I have 4 young adult sims in my household. My sims own 3 laptops and had no problem to use their own computer. I bought a new laptop for S sim. R and G were modding games, J was playing game, and S was about to resume writing a book. But he keeps waving his hand showing J sim on thought bubble and can't use the new laptop. It's not a route issue. I placed the new laptop in the kitchen and J was playing game in back garden. Is that only happening in my game? Is there anyone knows how to have the 4 sims use their own computer at the same time? I appreciate all tips and advice, thanks.

VeeDub

Try having S sim sit down first, then select the action you want for him on the laptop. Occasionally I find mysterious routing issues in the case of laptop usage, but having them sit first usually fixes it for me, and sometimes a change of chair and/or desk (or table) will prevent it happening again.

LynnPlayz1

I had trouble getting my Sim to write earlier today and it turned out that the table was charred from a fire that occurred a few days prior and I just hadn't noticed until then.

GalacticGal

Do you have University? With that pack we now have the option to have computer security, as in you can set a certain to Sim to use a certain computer by locking it. Doesn't keep a Sim from sitting down at the desk, however.

Admiral8Q

GalacticGal wrote: »

Do you have University? With that pack we now have the option to have computer security, as in you can set a certain to Sim to use a certain computer by locking it. Doesn't keep a Sim from sitting down at the desk, however.

That's DU? I thought it was in base game now. Interesting.

StuffyMarx

As @GalacticGal suggests, lock all the computers so they're each only used by one sim.

Another thing to try - start a different activity on the computer for your author, then when they sit down and start, queue up the "continue writing" interaction and cancel their current activity. It should just chain straight to the writing activity.

Sindocat

I have needed to make my sims sit, before they could resume a work on a computer. See if that helps.

Jeansoo

Thank you all! I will try your suggestions!
Yes I have DU but usually I set the security setting as only using for my whole household. I will try the individual setting. Thanks!!

Behappy1st

Jeansoo wrote: »

Hi, one of my sims has writer aspiration and he needs to write a book on computer. I have 4 young adult sims in my household. My sims own 3 laptops and had no problem to use their own computer. I bought a new laptop for S sim. R and G were modding games, J was playing game, and S was about to resume writing a book. But he keeps waving his hand showing J sim on thought bubble and can't use the new laptop. It's not a route issue. I placed the new laptop in the kitchen and J was playing game in back garden. Is that only happening in my game? Is there anyone knows how to have the 4 sims use their own computer at the same time? I appreciate all tips and advice, thanks.

Lock It

LynnPlayz1

Admiral8Q wrote: »

GalacticGal wrote: »

Do you have University? With that pack we now have the option to have computer security, as in you can set a certain to Sim to use a certain computer by locking it. Doesn't keep a Sim from sitting down at the desk, however.

That's DU? I thought it was in base game now. Interesting.

I can lock computers and I don't have DU, so I think it's base game.

Jeansoo

Thanks all. I tried and let him sit first and then write a book worked! Also I set their all laptops as their own ones. I appreciate your tips.

Admiral8Q

Jeansoo wrote: »

Thanks all. I tried and let him sit first and then write a book worked! Also I set their all laptops as their own ones. I appreciate your tips.

Personally, in my game, if I give my Sims a computer. I generally try to give each there own instead of shared. Works much better that way I find. For laptops especially! I may leave just one desktop that anyone can use though. Depends on the household.

One thing to keep in mind is if a Sim wants to order something like upgrade parts on someone else's computer, then they will need to be allowed access. I usually just unlock it, order whatever, then select the original Sim whose computer it is then set the security back to that person only.