Body shop shortcut was on desktop but wouldn't launch; I am trying AGAIN to fix it.
Went to C drive, M&G/CS bin; there are two .exe files - "Package installer.exe"& "TS2 Body Shop.exe".
Clicking "installer"does nothing; "TS2 Body Shop .exe" gets a message, I clicked yes to install: got a message "dbl click a custom content package file to install the content"
I don't know what to do.

TS2 Body Shop .exe is the Bodyshop program. If you double-click the "TS2 Body Shop .exe" file or shortcut, you should be able to start the program. If it doesn't start up, something is off.

I assume you've tried deleting the cache files?


The Package Installer is the default sims2pack installer (similar to Clean Installer, but with fewer functions and more issues). It's for installing houses/sims. Has nothing to do with Bodyshop other than their common connection to Sims2pack files.


Has Bodyshop worked up until now but suddenly stopped working after the last time you played TS2 or after the last time you used Bodyshop?
Or hasn't it worked at all, but you're trying to fix it/set it up?
(Just asking, because the approach is different depending on what the problem is).

It used to work, but then would not load. I understand every Pack would automatically install it's version of bodyshop; so I went to M&G and found what I discribed, so don't know why - in that CS Bin there was a package installer. Since I have deleted the shortcut on my desk-top, I thought I first had to RE-install it, but clicking "exe." file just brings up the message about clicking a CC package file- but WHAT package file?

THEN I read that M&G in does not contain BodyShop, so went to Pets and clicked "installer", then created shortcut. Shortcut does not open

The PackageInstaller.EXE is the default package installer (the default "predecessor" to Clean installer) I wrote about in the last post. Has nothing to do with Bodyshop. It just installs Sims2pack files (lots/sims).

If there is a "TS2BodyShop.EXE" file, that's the one you want, in the (SP9 or M&G) CSBin folder, unless you've moved it around for some reason. If this file isn't there, you may want to check the TSBin folder, too.

The Bodyshop EXE file should start up Bodyshop if you double-click it (unless you've somehow uninstalled Bodyshop since the last time, or there is something else making it not respond).

--

Just because the shortcut is gone doesn't mean the program is uninstalled - unless you actually uninstalled the program. A shortcut is just a quicker way to start up a program, or open a file or folder, so you don't have to click your way through a ton of menus or folders every time you want to start it up. A program can function fine without a shortcut, but a shortcut doesn't do anything useful if its target is missing.

Uninstallers tend to be marked clearly as an uninstaller (I think my disc versions had those, but the UC version don't).

--

To make a new shortcut:

Right-click the Bodyshop.exe, find "Create shortcut" in the list. Click it.
Depending on how you've installed your game, the computer either creates the shortcut in that folder, or prompts to make one at the desktop. If it creates one in the same folder, you can move that one to the desktop.

Changes you've already done to the EXE should still be there (4GB fix and such).

If you do the same to the game EXE, some modifications like making the game windowed (or similar) have to be done to the shortcut path (Right-click + Properties).

--

Which version of the game do you have?
Personally I have the UC (which is based on the collections, with a similar setup), and before that I used the single-disc versions. Both of them have a Bodyshop version in the SP9 or M&G folder.

The Pets version is likely a bit outdated, since there were some changes around Seasons (added outerwear), and possibly later too. Just to be sure, you'll want to use the one in the latest folder (M&G/SP9). Using an older version is not going to help.

If you're using the Legacy version of sims, it doesn't come with Bodyshop (but there is a downloadable installer here at MTS).

--

Have you set up the GraphicRules file for Bodyshop? (in SP9 or M&G "...\TSData\Res\CSConfig")
Have you done the 4GB patch?
Have you deleted all the cache files (2-4 files)?
Have you tried without CC?
Have you checked if Bodyshop shows up in the Task Manager after starting it up (if only briefly)?

Bodyshop can be slow in loading, especially with a lot of CC, and in some cases pieces of CC can stop Bodyshop from loading, so removing CC is the quickest way to check if it works. You can move out everything (and as long as you move it back in before playing TS2, the game won't be affected)

Simmer22: thanks for all your help! I'm still trying to work it out. As for looking for the program, another person said M&G was just a stuff pack (it's not) and I should find the right install in the Pets CS bin)..trying to install that did nothing. I have the game installed from discs (everything except a few Stuff Packs). I would try removing my whole CC file, but don't know what I should be trying to install. GraphicRules, 4GB patch were done years ago. I delete all the cache files (there is only one showing up now) every time I play. Hum task manager...will have to look for.
Know this seems like a no-brainer for most...but I am losing brain cells by the minute...

If you've installed the game, Bodyshop should already be installed.
The "TS2BodyShop.exe" is the actual Bodyshop program.

There are lots of things that can cause Bodyshop to not run, though. That's why it's useful to know if it tries to run. If it does but disappears again in Task Manager, it means something is blocking it from running.

(Tasm Manager shows the apps/tasks Windows is currently running, plus info about memory use and such, and has various other uses)

Task manager - right-click the task bar (Windows bar), usually at the bottom of your screen, and click "Task manager". Open Task Manager first, then double-click the Bodyshop EXE to start Bodyshop. See if Bodyshop shows up in the list of programs. You can sort alphabetically (easier to find if it pops up for a moment and disappears), or by memory use (can be easier to find there if it is loading, because it has a higher memory use than most background programs). It usually shows up under "Background processes" first, then jumps up to the top under "Apps" when it's loaded for a while.

The task manager can also be found by doing Ctrl+alt+delete and clicking it in the options that appear on screen.

M&G is considered an EP (or a mini-EP) by the game. It comes in the package of a stuff pack, but acts more as an EP.

Which cache file is showing up? (Accessory.cache and Groups.cache can cause Bodyshop not to load, and I've occasionally had the "Contentregistry" file be an issue, too. Cigen.package usually isn't a problem, but doesn't hurt to delete it).

Did find a bunch of "body Shop" with task manager. All but one were SHORTCUTS; ONE said TS2 Body Shop.exe. But dbl clicking it brought up the hour glass - for a second - than nothing happends.

I think there's only supposed to be one instance in task manager. All the "shortcut" ones might suggest there's something weird going on (unless you're looking in the wrong place).

Can you take a screenshot of this in the task manager and post it?

I created all the shortcuts & have deleted them.

Guess we're out of answers for the Body Shop that won't open
==================
Computer guy got it to open, but after a while it crashes.
Not that it matters; I have a worse problem! I downloaded an occupied hood and the whole game is not playable..it has to be some hidden mods, but I can't find the problem (yes, I did the 50/50 trial with Downloads --didn't fix)