Question about reinstalling my Sims games?

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Asperger96
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02 Apr 2015, 1:46 pm

OK, I love the Sims. Can't get enough of them. Back in July, my laptop stopped working right :( , and I just fixed it (I know. I'm lazy.) I did it by "refreshing" my PC, which left all my files intact. But all of my programs I installed were removed, including my Sims 3 with all the expansion packs :cry: Now, the game data and stuff are still in my games folder. And even the program files are in a file marked windows.old, but when I try them it tells me to install the base game (and I assume, all of the expansion packs.)

So, here's my question: the discs themselves only allow three installs before they're no good anymore. Most of the expansion packs counted this PC as their second install. If I reinstall them on this PC, will it still recognize this PC? Or will I have used up my last install?

Other question: Is there a way I can back up PROGRAMS, not just files? In case something like this happens again (realistic, it probably will within a few months). ESPECIALLY if this is my third and last install?



izzeme
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03 Apr 2015, 3:18 am

Wait what? a limited amount of installs? that's BS.

You could try installing somewhere else than the C: disk; try D: or an external drive, this allows you to keep using the files after a windows reinstall (as long as you don't change the windows version).

you could also try to activate your copy on Origin; this will allow infinite installs and will also sync up your saves between different PCs



Asperger96
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13 Apr 2015, 6:26 pm

izzeme wrote:
Wait what? a limited amount of installs? that's BS.

You could try installing somewhere else than the C: disk; try D: or an external drive, this allows you to keep using the files after a windows reinstall (as long as you don't change the windows version).

you could also try to activate your copy on Origin; this will allow infinite installs and will also sync up your saves between different PCs

I only activated Sims 3: Generations on Origin. I have to try and find the little packets that came with my games for their activation codes :-(.