If your computer is windows vista service pack 2 then this might work for you. I have both ambitions and the sims 3 and it has solved both of them from crashing to the desktop.
1. Click on the start menu -> then click the control panel -> then click on the system
2. in the left panel click advanced system settings -> click advanced tab -> the performance settings -> Data execution prevention
3. Make sure that it is on for all programs and services exceot those i select.
then click the add -> click on drive (C: ) then program files -> electronic arts -> then for all of your expansion packs click on the game -> then bin -> then click the actual game fie .exe (dont click the sims 3lancher) and then just add it to the list.
4. Shut down the computer and reload and then your sims 3 and abitions should work.
this might also work for world adventures and high end loft.
Good luck!
Comments
Are you trying it in full screen cause i havent tried it in full screen but i know it works in window mode.
Although I don't agree with messing around my computer cause of someone else's mistake.
Thanks I'll try it out.
As soon as I got to save something it crashes.
I have vista and this worked great for me. I was so excited that I was able to play finally last night.
I'm sure EA are doing all they can to fix the problem, but it's actually starting to get depressing now.
It appears to be linked to storage to be honest, or possibly to the amount the game changed since the last save, if I move loads of stuff between the character and some sort of storage device between saves, it increases the odds of a crash, if I build too much between saves, it crashes on save, if I try to drag too many single-instances of an object to storage (such as trying to drop a pile of 600 Flame-Fruit into the Fridge), it freezes for a few moments and CTD, but on other occasions, I've dropped over 1000 Life-Fruit into the Fridge without problem, which is odd.
So, I think the error revolves around that, hopefully it will provide a point to start to deal with it.
I don't know, it just doesn't work for me.
Which is okay cause it doesn't have to work when I change stuff around in my computer. It has to work cause the update isn't crap.
It's actually caused a massive reduction in my Sims 3 playing, same as you, I have a system that far exceeds requirements, but it gets really depressing to play a day or two, go to save, and end up staring at your desktop, I can literally feel my heart-rate increase whenever I save, because it really it sheer luck as to whether it works or not.
Same as you, I can build for hours, but when I return to the family and save, it crashes (I'd also like to add I dislike the ability to edit the town being only inside a live game, especially now that CAW doesn't work any more). If, however, I build a little bit, return to game, save, return to edit town, build a little bit more, etc, it works, but it's an incredibly time-consuming and frustrating way to work.
I have all the systems required and then some .
Also while playing a sim that was in hairdressing styling , wanted to forfill a requist off the music box , went too the buy mode, screen went black and crashed it is so frustrating.
Hope the results off a fix is soon .As it is so frustrating
What really galls me? I've read almost every page of these forums, happy-go-lucky, until one day I actually looked at the dates on a lot of the posts. June, 2009! EA has known about these issues for over a year, and yet they have done little or nothing to actually fix the problem. Typical.
At least if I install the first SIM3 disc and do NOT install the very first patch, I can play a very basic game now.
The Rev
I agree with what others are thinking, in that the issue may be in the way items and actions are being saved/logged/processed on long running Saves or saves with a lot of items on the lot (in the inventory).
I can save after a game-day where I did very few things but if I Tend the garden and add a lot of inventory items that is when I know it will crash/error-12 if I save. What I have had to do is play for just a short time, save with fingers crossed, then shut the game down and restart. This is still not a guarantee it won't crash or produce errors.
Just some kind of note that says, "We think it's X with Y, but it may be a while before it's fixed" would be nice at this point. The issues are only going to get worse if it keeps getting ignored.
I can't find the .exe file anywhere on the computer. I tried the program files folder but nothing under electronic arts, tried the my documents folder, even the CD rom drive directly. Is it because I dont have any expansion packs?
I can't find the .exe file anywhere on the computer. I tried the program files folder but nothing under electronic arts, tried the my documents folder, even the CD rom drive directly. Is it because I dont have any expansion packs?[/quote]
Its the actual game file its probably just called TS3 thats what it was on mine and you have to have this cause it is the actual game.
Joy!!!!