Can't install sims3packs
 

I have encountered this issue many times before and haven't figured it out. I own basically all of the store content. To make things simple for myself, I downloaded and keep the content on a usb drive and try to install from the already downloaded archive I have on my usb drive. I have tried clearing out the DCC cache, and the DCBackup (but there's nothing there anyway since it's a fresh Sims 3 installation). Each time the install fails. I have made sure the files don't have a "block" on them in properties (Windows 10/11 security feature), and the files are not read only. What I find odd is normally dlc will have a icon next to it's name, but my downloaded sims3packs don't.

Here is an image:
https://i.postimg.cc/76Z4WGxw/sims-3-troubleshoot.jpg

When I download from the Sims 3 store, and launch the download directly to the launcher, it works without a hitch. But since I own pretty much all of the content, I really don't want to download each time I need a fresh install of Sims 3.

It's because there's a bit of code in the Sims3packs to prevent them from being shared with other people. What you need to do is run the files through the Sims3 Recompressor to remove the code.
http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/s...ic,15129.0.html
Use the S3rc bit only; no need to decrapify!

Many thanks.

Unzip and drag and drop your files onto the s3rc.exe application.

Can they be converted to package files after that simsample? I usually have no problem getting my sims3packs from the store installed, but some like to uninstall themselves randomly and I wonder if making them packages would help with that, but I don't want to decrapify it all (andI am about to do a full reinstall on my new computer and really don't look forward to the hours of installing through the launcher)

Don't decrapify- it's not necessary, just use S3rc. Yes they can be converted to packages after that, S3rc just breaks the encryption so that you can install the Sims3Pack. How do you usually convert to package files- just by converting the dbc/ebc files? If so then it will work as usual. If you decrapify though, this affects the internal identification of the custom object (essentially the game sees it as a new object with a new internal identifier).

If I download a sims3pack from someone (which i only do if there isn't a package) I use the pack multi-extractor made by Delphy. But it doesn't work on the store packs because of the encryption and I don't want to decrap it because that breaks some of it being used properly.

I repeat- the S3rc deals with the encryption, the decrapify is the one that changes the ID and makes the items function incorrectly. Use S3rc, do not decrapify.

@Mandelyn To add on to simsample's advice, yes this is the proper way to install store Sims3packs as packages. As stated, they will work properly using S3RC because it only removes the encryption, and does nothing else unlike decrapify, allowing you to use multi installer on them. I've got a complete guide posted here, it'll walk you through the whole process.

https://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=665108

This is a bit of a necro, but I'm running into the same issue now that I'm changing computers, and I'm sure it's not uncommon as we all keep playing this old game.

I haven't been able to install store Sims3Packs for quite a while because I've been stubbornly sticking to 1.67 to keep my access in locations without Internet. The error is the one OP shared. Something I saw puzzlesaddict say on the official forums indicated that my Version.tag value now does not match what the Sims3Packs expect. Too bad I didn't archive those packs when I installed them way-back-when.

It wasn't a big deal, since I already owned almost all of the store and had installed it when 1.67 was still current. All my non-world store content is converted to packages, but worlds are fiddly, and if it's possible to install via Sims3Pack, I'd prefer to do that.

I ran CompressorizerRedux on my world Sims3Packs, but when I attempt to install via the Launcher, the Launcher reports that the install is successful, but the content is not actually installed.

Is CompressorizerRedux different from s3rc other than having a nice GUI (which I prefer)?

Is this a solvable problem? I do know how to convert worlds to packages. I'd just rather be able to use the Launcher when I need it.

CompressorizerRedux is purely an interface for S3RC, but what's worse is that it actually ships with an outdated version of it.
Not only does the same thing, but with issues that Pescado fixed! It's the bane of my life that content that has been run through it is currently very widely used because of Blam's redistributed Store content and tutorial using that tool.
It's almost as bad as that content being used while troubleshooting- I don't really care where people get their Store content from, but it should only be used at one's own risk because it's incredibly unfair to run people in circles trying to diagnose issues with it. I've thought about writing a forum etiquette tutorial, because it's surely lacking

As for worlds, this is normal behaviour. Only S3RC is required to make it function in .package form, but world files specifically either need to be placed in the same location as the Sunset Valley .world or use my WorldFix.
If you want to install through the launcher, neither tool is needed for owned content. Decrapify is necessary to get an unowned file to install through the launcher.


On that note, I've reported the above comment.
Attaching other people's work (those are KT's Store Fixes), which have been modified by a piracy website (contains a guide from G4TW), and it has the Decrap_Fixes file that causes the buydebug freeze (and that you don't need if you aren't decrapifying- which you shouldn't be!)? Maybe I really do need to write that guide...

No, you don't need to decrapify, just run s3rc to have an unowned Sims3Pack install through the launcher. If you use Decrapify (s3rc -fD), then storefixes are necessary for items with certain functionality.

I can't recreate this behaviour, unfortunately. At least for worlds, maybe its fine for objects.
If I S3RC a world and try to install it, the launcher mishandles it in the exact way Echoweaver described (appears to run through the launcher, but doesn't actually install the .world file anywhere). I'm pretty sure I've had it spit out errors for things other than worlds as well. But with decrapify, it does it properly.

I'm aware of the downsides and personally only use S3RC and .package installs, but that is one of the instances that decrapify has a use. (I tested this extensively for my WorldFix, my comment is on Jathom's post- we've discussed updating it, and I keep meaning to get back to them with some new things I've found since. Decrapify doesn't actually renumber like a clone- it only trims off the byte identifier on the Group IDs, which is enough to break things relating to worlds, premium items, and counters, but otherwise not inherently harmful.)

I'm a big confused here. CompressorizerRedux does not automatically decrapify anything. That's an additional setting that I never use. I've never decrapified anything.

Are there issues with just the S3RC that is packaged with CompressorizerRedux? With my setup, the "drag file onto s3rc.exe" approach is a bit of a hassle for me, so the convenience of the GUI is a big help.

It may well be that you just can't install worlds this way. I bit the bullet and extracted the world and packages from the Sims3Pack and installed manually. That seems to be working.

That program uses a version of S3RC that was last modified in 2010, while the loose exe from MATY was last modified in 2011. It may be possible to simply swap it out, but left as it is content modified using the Redux were done so with methods a year out of date. I can confirm at least one instance of a user having malfunctioning Store content that I couldn't replicate when I used the loose exe on the same items.

There are a couple of flaws with .package format Store worlds, being their missing strings and the fact that they won't appear in the main menu list for a new game unless they're installed to the folder Sunset Valley is in.
I fixed both of those issues with the WorldFix here https://www.nraas.net/community/post97721#p97721
But it does require committal to not using the launcher, so I know it's not a solution that suits everyone, because it replaces the file used by it.

If you are talking about JFade's compressorizer redux, then he made it so that you could update it with new versions of s3rc from MATY. I think the assumption was that he wouldn't update the program because users would update that file themselves.
https://sims.jfade.com/index.php-ca...0&subcat=5.html

OK, I think I see. I worked from a guide that told me to move the STBLs from the .world file into a .package and to install the .world into the Sunset Valley folder, so everything seems to be ok after I converted to packages.

ETA: LOL, I'm in the thread you linked to on NRaas, and I remember it, but I don't know that I ever fully understood what you were saying. I have more context now. Small community is small.

Your description of part of the function of decrapify clears up a lot. Pescado's fantastic naming scheme has made that utility semi-mythical and, as lots of folks point out, used for all kinds of things where it doesn't help. I've never used it precisely because I have no idea what it does, and it's never seemed to be the solution to any problems I've actually experienced.



Yes, that's the GUI I'm using. I didn't realize it was possible to update the s3rc version it was using. I'll take a look at that too.

Thanks!