How to write protect your package files

Miros1 · 09-17-2007, 01:21 AM

Apparently, the game will crap where it lives under the correct stresses... to reduce the damage this can cause, you can write protect all your package files in the C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2 (et al.) folders.

1) Start->Search
2) Click "All Files and Folders"
3) Type "*.package" in the top entry field and "C:\Program Files\EA Games" in the location entry field.
4) Click "Search" and let it run.
5) Hit Ctrl-A (Select All), then right click and pick "Properties."
6) Click the "Read Only" checkbox until it turns to a check mark (not empty or a green square).
7) Click "Ok" and let it run.

Zirconia Wolf · 09-17-2007, 02:12 AM

Will I need to undo this before installing a new EP/SP?

Miros1 · 09-17-2007, 02:53 AM

Nope. Each EP puts its stuff in a separate directory. At least they learned better than overwriting from all the fun they had with S1.

Greg · 09-17-2007, 12:24 PM

Won't this make it impossible to save a lot or a modified character?

Miros1 · 09-17-2007, 02:21 PM

Nope. You're protecting the Maxis made files in Program Files, not the game generated (or copied) files in My Documents.

Greg · 09-18-2007, 02:12 AM

Oh. Silly me.

Zirconia Wolf · 09-18-2007, 03:20 AM

Well, I gave it a go & nothing showed up in the search!

What gives?

(I have- currently- everything up to OFB installed. )

Zirconia Wolf · 09-18-2007, 12:15 PM

Okay- just figured out what the problem was...

Everything worked slick!

Miros1 · 09-18-2007, 12:17 PM

Great! Guess I need to change this post....

Zirconia Wolf · 09-18-2007, 04:05 PM

Another question:

Will this cause a problem with installing Offical Patches at at?

Greg · 09-18-2007, 04:07 PM

Yup, it worked! It found 1,934 files. Does that sound about right?

Now to do a test run...

Miros1 · 09-18-2007, 06:19 PM

Patches, maybe. You could just un-protect the files if necessary.

Yes, 1.9K files sounds about right, since you've got all the Stuff Packs.

Zirconia Wolf · 09-18-2007, 06:37 PM

Okay, I'll try & remember to toggle things back to unprotected before (re)installing any patches.

Just had a very strange case of "jump bug syndrom" in an OFB install & think it may be due to the patch not taking right, even though it claims it did.

Greg · 09-18-2007, 10:12 PM

I have found that any lot that I have not played since installing the last packs will have jump bug symptoms. Since I usually save when they're all asleep in bed, they'll end up standing next to their beds with half-full bladders.

I've seen another bizarre syndrome. I keep running across sims whose long-term relationships are 100 with nearly everyone they know even if they have negative short-term relationships. I have no idea what triggered that.

Miros1 · 09-18-2007, 11:36 PM

The standing-next-to-the-bed thing is common with new packs, if not mandatory. Basically, play every lot after installing one...

The LTR thing, I don't know.

Greg · 09-19-2007, 02:29 PM

Yeah. I have learned that when leaving a lot, it's best to save at about 5:30 AM when they were about to get up anyhow.

09-17-2007, 01:21 AM	#1
Miros1 Goddess for Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NY State Posts: 3,303	How to write protect your package files Apparently, the game will crap where it lives under the correct stresses... to reduce the damage this can cause, you can write protect all your package files in the C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 2 (et al.) folders. 1) Start->Search 2) Click "All Files and Folders" 3) Type "*.package" in the top entry field and "C:\Program Files\EA Games" in the location entry field. 4) Click "Search" and let it run. 5) Hit Ctrl-A (Select All), then right click and pick "Properties." 6) Click the "Read Only" checkbox until it turns to a check mark (not empty or a green square). 7) Click "Ok" and let it run.

09-17-2007, 02:12 AM	#2
Zirconia Wolf Reticulated MoonBat Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: My trusty computer in Issaquah WA, USA. Posts: 848	Will I need to undo this before installing a new EP/SP? __________________ Long Live All Wild Canines! Leader Of The Moon-Bat Revolution!

09-17-2007, 12:24 PM	#4
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	Won't this make it impossible to save a lot or a modified character? __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-18-2007, 02:12 AM	#6
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	Oh. Silly me. __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-18-2007, 03:20 AM	#7
Zirconia Wolf Reticulated MoonBat Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: My trusty computer in Issaquah WA, USA. Posts: 848	Well, I gave it a go & nothing showed up in the search! What gives? (I have- currently- everything up to OFB installed. ) __________________ Long Live All Wild Canines! Leader Of The Moon-Bat Revolution!

09-17-2007, 02:53 AM	#3
Miros1 Goddess for Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NY State Posts: 3,303	Nope. Each EP puts its stuff in a separate directory. At least they learned better than overwriting from all the fun they had with S1.

09-17-2007, 02:21 PM	#5
Miros1 Goddess for Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NY State Posts: 3,303	Nope. You're protecting the Maxis made files in Program Files, not the game generated (or copied) files in My Documents.

09-18-2007, 12:15 PM	#8
Zirconia Wolf Reticulated MoonBat Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: My trusty computer in Issaquah WA, USA. Posts: 848	Okay- just figured out what the problem was... Everything worked slick! __________________ Long Live All Wild Canines! Leader Of The Moon-Bat Revolution!

09-18-2007, 12:17 PM	#9
Miros1 Goddess for Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NY State Posts: 3,303	Great! Guess I need to change this post....

09-18-2007, 04:05 PM	#10
Zirconia Wolf Reticulated MoonBat Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: My trusty computer in Issaquah WA, USA. Posts: 848	Another question: Will this cause a problem with installing Offical Patches at at? __________________ Long Live All Wild Canines! Leader Of The Moon-Bat Revolution!

09-18-2007, 04:07 PM	#11
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	Yup, it worked! It found 1,934 files. Does that sound about right? Now to do a test run... __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-18-2007, 06:19 PM	#12
Miros1 Goddess for Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NY State Posts: 3,303	Patches, maybe. You could just un-protect the files if necessary. Yes, 1.9K files sounds about right, since you've got all the Stuff Packs.

09-18-2007, 06:37 PM	#13
Zirconia Wolf Reticulated MoonBat Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: My trusty computer in Issaquah WA, USA. Posts: 848	Okay, I'll try & remember to toggle things back to unprotected before (re)installing any patches. Just had a very strange case of "jump bug syndrom" in an OFB install & think it may be due to the patch not taking right, even though it claims it did. __________________ Long Live All Wild Canines! Leader Of The Moon-Bat Revolution!

09-18-2007, 10:12 PM	#14
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	I have found that any lot that I have not played since installing the last packs will have jump bug symptoms. Since I usually save when they're all asleep in bed, they'll end up standing next to their beds with half-full bladders. I've seen another bizarre syndrome. I keep running across sims whose long-term relationships are 100 with nearly everyone they know even if they have negative short-term relationships. I have no idea what triggered that. __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?

09-18-2007, 11:36 PM	#15
Miros1 Goddess for Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NY State Posts: 3,303	The standing-next-to-the-bed thing is common with new packs, if not mandatory. Basically, play every lot after installing one... The LTR thing, I don't know.

09-19-2007, 02:29 PM	#16
Greg Da Guy Wut Owns Dis Joint Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 3,566	Yeah. I have learned that when leaving a lot, it's best to save at about 5:30 AM when they were about to get up anyhow. __________________ Who are all these people and what do they know?