Can anyone please help me with a Sims 2 installation problem?

Question

When I first bought the game it worked fine on the Dell. However it's been a while since I reinstalled it and it won't work this time. I tried our older computer and it installed all the way but it couldn't play on the white computer because it doesn't have the right DirectX version. Why do I get the message "A problem occurred when trying to transfer the file 'TSData\Res\Sims3D\Sims08.package' from the media on the dell, and clicking retry is futile. I know the cd has scratches but I tried cleaning it with what I got ex. toothpaste. What is the real problem? And where can I find an inexpensive yet effective cleaning kit for cds? What can I do to fix the problem? I tried something a website suggested by copying the files from the game into the computer and now when I put disk 1 a stupid message says insert cd 1 even though I already did that. Help?!

Any other tips and suggestions would be appreciated. By the way, if your suggestion helps me to play my game again your guranteed to be picked be best answer. Just an incentive.

Any other tips and suggestions would be appreciated. By the way, if your suggestion helps me to play my game again your guranteed to be picked be best answer. Just an incentive. For now I'll consider the suggestions already provided.

Answer 1

I think you screwed up your CD. Toothpaste is sticky and will just ruin your CD. You should take a soft cloth and gently wipe the underside of the CD. Then uninstall it on your computer and reinstall it. Download the patch from the Sims 2 website ( http://www.thesims2.com/ ).

The real problem is probably the scratches. Now it's the toothpaste, and it might screw up your computer. Maybe it's a computer problem in your CD drive that you can't read the CDs.

Answer 2

I understand your frustrations, i had the directx problem, i had to buy another graphic card.
Toohpaste, yeah...not so good, i bet your tired of hearing that one! Anyway, have you downloaded or installed more things into your computer since installing SIMS? SIMS takes up a mega bunches of memory, your memory could be pretty ful and is having a hard time running, my computer has had to install more virutal memory twice. Maybe taking some things you dont use out of your control panel add/delete.
I dont know if this will help, i had to call and call computer shops for about 4 months before i could even play my games.
Good Luck

Answer 3

Sounds like you did everything you could. You might just need to try a different CD drive or you may need to get a new CD from EA

Try some of these ideas from the EA site.
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=6S-j_3gi&p_lva=7805&p_li=&p_accessibility=&p_page=1&p_cv=1.566&p_pv=2.700&p_prods=7%2C700&p_cats=566&p_hidden_prods=&prod_lvl1=7&prod_lvl2=700&prod_lvl3=0&cat_lvl1=566&cat_lvl2=0&p_search_text=scratch+disk&p_new_search=1

Good luck!