Are you a fan of The Sims? The Sims 2 is a classic entry in the series that still plays well today. However, understanding all of the expansions can be a little tricky, especially since they have to be installed in a certain order. Windows 7 and Windows 8 users also face additional challenges, but see step 1 below to learn how to install The Sims 2 with minimal effort and hassle.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Installing the Base Game
Step 1. Log in as administrator
To install Sims 2, you must be logged into Windows as an Administrator. If you don't have administrative access, you won't be able to install Sims 2.
If you are the only person using the computer, then your account is most likely an administrator account
Step 2. Insert the Sims 2 disc
If you have a version with 4 CDs, insert the first disc in a series of discs. If you have a DVD version, just insert the DVD. The disc will run automatically.
If the disc does not start automatically, open Windows Explorer by pressing Win+E, and then double-clicking the Sims 2 disc icon
Step 3. Begin the installation process
During installation you will be asked to enter a CD key (CD key). This key resides in the insert that came with the case, or is printed on the case itself. You will not be able to install this game without a key.
Step 4. Select the location
Most users can leave the default installation location, but you can change it if you want to install the game elsewhere, for example on another hard drive.
Step 5. Skip the registration
You really don't need to register the game again, because Sims 2 has long been abandoned by EA. Registration will only get you a list of promotional emails from EA.
Step 6. Swap the disc if prompted
If installing a version with 4 CDs, you will be prompted to insert the next CD at the specified installation point. Remove the first CD, then insert the next CD. Close the tray and click the OK button to continue the installation. If the program reports that the next disc has not been inserted, wait a moment and then click it again.
Step 7. Patch the game
Sims 2 has been out for a long time, and there have been several patches released since then. Download the latest available patch for the CD or DVD version, depending on the version you have installed.
- You can find patches on popular download sites like FilePlanet or popular Sims sites like ModTheSims.
- You will need to insert the first disc or DVD in order for you to play the game.
Part 2 of 3: Installing the Expansion
Step 1. Collect all the expansions you want to install
Sims 2 uses a "build-upon" structure for expansion, which means that the expansions must be installed in a specific order. Gathering the materials you have before you start will make installing the expansion easier.
Step 2. Insert your discs in order
Take a look at the list below to see the order in which the expansions should be installed. If you have a wide variety of expansions, but not all of them, install them in the order they appear on this list. If you don't install them in the right order, you'll get an error when you try to play them. If your base game is Sims 2 Double Deluxe, there will be some exceptions to the list.
- University
- Nightlife (Ignore if you have Sims 2 Double Deluxe installed)
- Christmas Party Pack
- Open for Business
- Family Fun Stuff
- Glamor Life Stuff
- Pets
- Happy Holiday Stuff (Ignore if you have Sims 2 Holiday Edition installed)
- Seasons
- Celebration Stuff (Ignore if you have Sims 2 Double Deluxe installed)
- H&M Fashion Stuff
- Bon Voyage
- Teen Style Stuff
- FreeTime
- Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff
- IKEA Home Stuff
- Apartment Life
- Mansion & Garden Stuff
Step 3. Install the first expansion on the list
Insert the installation disc for the first expansion you have in the list above. Follow the instructions given to install it.
Step 4. Patch the expansion
You must patch each expansion with the latest version if you want it to run on modern operating systems. You can download patches on ModTheSims or other Sims fan sites.
Patch each expansion after installing it but before you start installing the next expansion. This will help you to keep track of which expansions have been updated
Step 5. Proceed to the next expansion
Keep the list going, installing and patching each expansion you want to use. When you're done, use the shortcut for the latest expansion you've installed to play the game.
Part 3 of 3: Playing Games on Windows 7 and 8
Step 1. Determine the problem
Sims 2 is not designed to run on operating systems newer than Windows XP, and will often run into problems in Windows Vista, 7 and 8. If your Sims 2 games and expansions are working fine, then you can skip this section. If you receive a compatibility error, you can resolve the issue by changing the compatibility mode.
Step 2. Right click on the shortcut
Make sure you right-click on the shortcut for the most recent expansion you have installed, as this is the expansion you will run when you play the game.
Step 3. Select Properties
In the Properties window, click the "Compatibility" tab.
Step 4. Select the operating system
Check the "Run this program in compatibility mode for" box and then use the drop-down menu to select Windows XP (Service Pack 3). If Windows XP is not available, select Windows Vista.
Check the "Run this program as an administrator" box to ensure that your computer is running Sims 2 using an administrator account
Step 5. Start the game
Once you've set up the compatibility settings, you can try running the game by double-clicking its icon as usual. Sims 2 doesn't do very well on Windows 7 and Windows 8, and there's no clear reason why this happened on some computers and not on others.
Step 6. Troubleshoot the game that still won't play
There are many reasons why Sims 2 won't run, even if you've changed the compatibility mode. Sims 2 is not designed for modern operating systems, so you may get different results.
- Some people suggest that using a graphics card that is built into the motherboard instead of a separate dedicated graphics card could make the game unplayable.
- 64-bit versions of Windows can cause problems, but have been shown to run on some 64-bit systems.
- Many people report that they get better results with Windows 8.1 than Windows 8.
- If you have a powerful computer, you can install Windows XP in a virtual machine, then run Sims 2 through that virtual machine.
