University Life issue.

[WesselTT089]

Usually, I make my own Sim(s). Because I do not like Moonlight Falls that much, (The town from the Supernatural Expansion Pack) I decided to see if I can have some fun with an already existing household there. So I picked the Singh family. I'm 20 days in and I want them to go to the University. I want them to go both, both on the same study and same amount of points.

But it does not work. Whenever it finishes loading the University, it starts like a new game. I can make a sim, pick a household to play with and place a household in the world, just like whenever you start in Sunset Valley (for example). I tried multiple times but nothing works. Is there something that might be able to help?

EDIT 9-7-2018: I tried to enter one of the World Adventures locations, but that also does not work. I arrive at the camp without the household being there.

[marstinson]

If you are enrolling in university through the computer or smartphone (which it sounds like you are doing), University Life should not be asking you to create a household since Sim U doesn't work as a starting world. It does, however, ask you to choose a place to live (rent a house, live in the dorm, or at the sorority/frat house).

I'll suggest a couple of things. First, make sure that you make a hard save (always use "Save As" and give your save a new filename) BEFORE trying to enroll. If something goes south, you have a good point to recover from. Second, you should be running the ErrorTrap and Overwatch mods from nraas.wikispaces.com just for general game stability, but you might also want to drop in the Traveler mod as it will smooth out some of the hiccups and outright glitches that crop up from time to time when you are transitioning between worlds.

[NetPCDoc]

Just in case ...

Do make sure you are using in-game "computer" or "phone" to enroll in university; and are NOT switching to "University" by a button in the top left corner of your "Edit Town" screen (as this will take you to a University, similar to how you start at Sunset Valley - or any other "World" aka town).

[Wai]

A little point with the edit town option. You can, it you wish, use it to create or modify buildings in the university town. For example, build a nice little pad for your sim - don't furnish it, but use contents of your fanily inventory when you get there. Empty house will be much cheaper to rent than a furnished one. Or, pick the best placed dorm, and add a little, luxury wing for your sim. Remove the bed from one of the rooms to keep the numbers straight. Or, simply upgrade a dorm room. Cheating, I guess, but, it's your game, your choice.

As already said by someone else: Save your game before you use phone or computer to enrol in the university. AND, save your game before your sim goes to collect their diploma. There is a little bug which occassionally does not give a diploma. This bug can usually be avoided by getting your sim to the ceremony early - get them to read or play music outside the venue so that they will alrady be there when the game anouncement to attend the ceremony is issued. Also, DO NOT invite any Sin friends to attend. Save again when you have the diploma - the travel bug can get you on leaving as well as arriving.

[WesselTT089]

I just got back from a holiday. So, sorry for the late reaction.

Originally posted by marstinson:

If you are enrolling in university through the computer or smartphone (which it sounds like you are doing), University Life should not be asking you to create a household since Sim U doesn't work as a starting world. It does, however, ask you to choose a place to live (rent a house, live in the dorm, or at the sorority/frat house).

I'll suggest a couple of things. First, make sure that you make a hard save (always use "Save As" and give your save a new filename) BEFORE trying to enroll. If something goes south, you have a good point to recover from. Second, you should be running the ErrorTrap and Overwatch mods from nraas.wikispaces.com just for general game stability, but you might also want to drop in the Traveler mod as it will smooth out some of the hiccups and outright glitches that crop up from time to time when you are transitioning between worlds.

I know the UL expansion should not ask me to make a sim or pick a household but it does. Whenever I sign up for the University with the Singh family, it loads the world. When finished, the household is gone. They're not there anymore.
I do not use mods for the Sims and this is the first ever problem I have had with the game. There must be a simple solution. I tried several things: Indeed, make a new 'save as' file, and see what happens if I pick a household at the University. When I select one, I will be playing with the entire household. And that is not something I want off course. I also tried starting a new game and trying to go to the university too, that worked. So I genuinily do not know what's wrong. (Sorry if I misspelled that word)

Originally posted by NetPCDoc:

Just in case ...

Do make sure you are using in-game "computer" or "phone" to enroll in university; and are NOT switching to "University" by a button in the top left corner of your "Edit Town" screen (as this will take you to a University, similar to how you start at Sunset Valley - or any other "World" aka town).

Off course I am signing up for the University by using the phone or computer.

Originally posted by Wai:

A little point with the edit town option. You can, it you wish, use it to create or modify buildings in the university town. For example, build a nice little pad for your sim - don't furnish it, but use contents of your fanily inventory when you get there. Empty house will be much cheaper to rent than a furnished one. Or, pick the best placed dorm, and add a little, luxury wing for your sim. Remove the bed from one of the rooms to keep the numbers straight. Or, simply upgrade a dorm room. Cheating, I guess, but, it's your game, your choice.

As already said by someone else: Save your game before you use phone or computer to enrol in the university. AND, save your game before your sim goes to collect their diploma. There is a little bug which occassionally does not give a diploma. This bug can usually be avoided by getting your sim to the ceremony early - get them to read or play music outside the venue so that they will alrady be there when the game anouncement to attend the ceremony is issued. Also, DO NOT invite any Sin friends to attend. Save again when you have the diploma - the travel bug can get you on leaving as well as arriving.

I could do that if the game worked. But whenever I finished loading the University, (after I signed up for it by computer or phone) the 2 Sims disappear. It loads as a starting world.
My plan was to let them go to the university, both on the same study, same points. So they could get graduated for the medical career I have them both in right now. But sadly, they seem to be unable to attend University for now. I will keep trying.

[Wai]

OK, so the simple is out. This still sounds like the world loading bug though. I have not had it in UL, but I have experienced it in WA a long time ago.

I would suggest trying one or all of the following, AFTER making a backup copy of your game:

1. Look in your saved game folder.

-- Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Saves > (Your Saved Game folder)

2. Open your saved game that your trying to play. Is the meta.data file there? (Trying to compare working save games to games you can't access)

If not, either copy the meta.data file from an existing save or start a new game, go into Edit Town and Save and quit the game, then copy the meta.data file from the new game.

Note: Adding a new meta.data file may change your loading screen. But you can fix that once the game is loaded by saving the game.

3. Paste the meta.data file into the game that is missing it. Then try accessing your previously saved game.

4. If you can play it, play the game for a few minutes and then use the Save As option, give it a new name. Then save and quit.

OR:

Create a new temporary game. Send your sim to University then save the game. Use the meta_data files from the temporary game to replace the meta-data in your crurrent game. - This assumes that the problem is limitted to the one game and that travel to university is possible in other games.

OR: If you cannot play UL in any game, try doing a Factory Reset.
1. Rename "The Sims 3" to something like "The Sims 3 Old" or "The Sims 3.1." Anything will do.
2. Start your game normally, and once the main menu comes up (where you select a town to play in) exit out of your game.
3. Go back to the location of your "The Sims 3 Old" folder.
4. There should now be two folders (more if you have other EA games). One should be named "The Sims 3" and "The Sims 3 Old."
5. If you open the new folder, you will see that it is completely empty of player content. No saves, no downloads, no screenshots, nothing. The game created a new, clean folder, just like it would have done with a complete reinstall.
6. Edited to include easier solution: Now, go to your "The Sim 3 Old" folder. Copy the folder titled "Downloads." Go to your new "The Sims 3" folder and paste the "Downloads" folder. If it tells you that the folder already exists, you want to delete the old folder and replace it with the new one you are currently pasting. You will have to open your launcher and install this custom content.
7. Once your downloads are done, go into your "The Sims 3 Old" folder and go to the folder titles "Saves." Copy or Cut these files and Paste them into "Saves" under the new "The Sims 3" folder.
8. Once your saves are moved, start your game.
9. Congratulations! You have just done a factory reset!

There is also a mega-patch for game updates which can cure bugs, but, I am sure I have read somewhere that using this does not work with Steam. Perhaps someone else knows more about this.

[cruinne]

Originally posted by Wai:

There is also a mega-patch for game updates which can cure bugs, but, I am sure I have read somewhere that using this does not work with Steam. Perhaps someone else knows more about this.

Yeah, you have it correct here. The super patches out there are only for Origin/Disk - they'll not work for Steam Sims 3.

[WesselTT089]

Originally posted by Wai:

OK, so the simple is out. This still sounds like the world loading bug though. I have not had it in UL, but I have experienced it in WA a long time ago.

I would suggest trying one or all of the following, AFTER making a backup copy of your game:

1. Look in your saved game folder.

-- Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Saves > (Your Saved Game folder)

2. Open your saved game that your trying to play. Is the meta.data file there? (Trying to compare working save games to games you can't access)

If not, either copy the meta.data file from an existing save or start a new game, go into Edit Town and Save and quit the game, then copy the meta.data file from the new game.

Note: Adding a new meta.data file may change your loading screen. But you can fix that once the game is loaded by saving the game.

3. Paste the meta.data file into the game that is missing it. Then try accessing your previously saved game.

4. If you can play it, play the game for a few minutes and then use the Save As option, give it a new name. Then save and quit.

OR:

Create a new temporary game. Send your sim to University then save the game. Use the meta_data files from the temporary game to replace the meta-data in your crurrent game. - This assumes that the problem is limitted to the one game and that travel to university is possible in other games.

OR: If you cannot play UL in any game, try doing a Factory Reset.
1. Rename "The Sims 3" to something like "The Sims 3 Old" or "The Sims 3.1." Anything will do.
2. Start your game normally, and once the main menu comes up (where you select a town to play in) exit out of your game.
3. Go back to the location of your "The Sims 3 Old" folder.
4. There should now be two folders (more if you have other EA games). One should be named "The Sims 3" and "The Sims 3 Old."
5. If you open the new folder, you will see that it is completely empty of player content. No saves, no downloads, no screenshots, nothing. The game created a new, clean folder, just like it would have done with a complete reinstall.
6. Edited to include easier solution: Now, go to your "The Sim 3 Old" folder. Copy the folder titled "Downloads." Go to your new "The Sims 3" folder and paste the "Downloads" folder. If it tells you that the folder already exists, you want to delete the old folder and replace it with the new one you are currently pasting. You will have to open your launcher and install this custom content.
7. Once your downloads are done, go into your "The Sims 3 Old" folder and go to the folder titles "Saves." Copy or Cut these files and Paste them into "Saves" under the new "The Sims 3" folder.
8. Once your saves are moved, start your game.
9. Congratulations! You have just done a factory reset!

There is also a mega-patch for game updates which can cure bugs, but, I am sure I have read somewhere that using this does not work with Steam. Perhaps someone else knows more about this.

The Meta folder was there, I started a new game with a 1-person household from Moonlight Falls as well, copied the meta file in the Singh household save file but it does not work. I appreciate your help but sadly, it did not work out. I think this save file is a r.i.p.

Originally posted by cruinne:

Originally posted by Wai:

There is also a mega-patch for game updates which can cure bugs, but, I am sure I have read somewhere that using this does not work with Steam. Perhaps someone else knows more about this.

Yeah, you have it correct here. The super patches out there are only for Origin/Disk - they'll not work for Steam Sims 3.

I do not have The Sims 3 on Steam, I only have it on Origin... Hmm

[WesselTT089]

Maybe it is good to know what it exactly looks like.
https://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2013/03/sim-not-arriving-at-university.html
The picture between the section ''Problem'' and ''Cause'' is exactly what I get when the game finishes loading the Uni. The text above the picture; ''My sim doesn’t arrive at the University. All I get is the option to edit town. My Sim is not there''. is exactly what happens. Maybe this was useful for any future help. :)

[Wai]

Originally posted by WesselTT089:

Maybe it is good to know what it exactly looks like.
https://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2013/03/sim-not-arriving-at-university.html
The picture between the section ''Problem'' and ''Cause'' is exactly what I get when the game finishes loading the Uni. The text above the picture; ''My sim doesn’t arrive at the University. All I get is the option to edit town. My Sim is not there''. is exactly what happens. Maybe this was useful for any future help. :)

This is exactly what I expected to see.

You did not say if you can play another game and take your sim to university.

Replacing meta data should work to recover a file containing a currupt sim.

As you use Origin, the Super Patch is always a good option for dealing with bugs. If the meta-data and factory resets do not work. I had to use (several years ago) it after installing Island Paradise.

If I have not been able to help, I suggest you go to Carl's Sim 3 forum:

http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=15065.0

Read the correspondence and, if needed, ask for further help. Pam will likely reply, she is really helpful and unbelievably knowledgable. Otherwise, there are a good few really keen players on that site who are way more experienced than I am and who really enjoy helping. I used to use it a great deal, but, don't play Sims so much now.

Good Luck, and, let me know if you solve the problem.

[igazor]

I would have to vote for the NRaas Traveler mod solution working together with ErrorTrap and Overwatch as so many of our users have total success with that, but of course my preferences in that arena are a bit skewed.

But really just popping in to respond to this:

Originally posted by Wai:

As you use Origin, the Super Patch is always a good option for dealing with bugs. If the meta-data and factory resets do not work. I had to use (several years ago) it after installing Island Paradise.

Things have changed. On Patch 1.69, the EA SuperPatcher should never be run. It is intended for Patch 1.67 and below only. On totally Origin controlled games on 1.69 today, it will break the install completely and/or leave the player with a Launcher of version 0.0.0.0, which is not valid or usable. And the Launcher is required to startup the game on 1.69, there are no bypasses allowed anymore.

The instability of Origin and 1.69 are what caused so many of us to switch over to Steam installs so we don't have to put up with or manage these things any longer.

[Wai]

Thank you for the information, it is a long while since I have used the patch, as I said. I have had no problems recently with my game so knew I was out of date on that one. I am pretty sure that the problem described is due to a currupted sim. It is very, very easy, a matter of five minutes, to replace that sim's meta data and, imho, that is far preferable to mods. But, who am I to say. The only time I ever used a mod it caused more problems, and more wasted hours of frustration than I care to remember.

[WesselTT089]

Originally posted by Wai:

Originally posted by WesselTT089:

Maybe it is good to know what it exactly looks like.
https://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2013/03/sim-not-arriving-at-university.html
The picture between the section ''Problem'' and ''Cause'' is exactly what I get when the game finishes loading the Uni. The text above the picture; ''My sim doesn’t arrive at the University. All I get is the option to edit town. My Sim is not there''. is exactly what happens. Maybe this was useful for any future help. :)

This is exactly what I expected to see.

You did not say if you can play another game and take your sim to university.

Replacing meta data should work to recover a file containing a currupt sim.

As you use Origin, the Super Patch is always a good option for dealing with bugs. If the meta-data and factory resets do not work. I had to use (several years ago) it after installing Island Paradise.

If I have not been able to help, I suggest you go to Carl's Sim 3 forum:

http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/forum/index.php?topic=15065.0

Read the correspondence and, if needed, ask for further help. Pam will likely reply, she is really helpful and unbelievably knowledgable. Otherwise, there are a good few really keen players on that site who are way more experienced than I am and who really enjoy helping. I used to use it a great deal, but, don't play Sims so much now.

Good Luck, and, let me know if you solve the problem.

I will try it on that website. Also, I am able to take other Sims to University. So that is not the problem :)

[WesselTT089]

Originally posted by Wai:

I edited the title. World Adventures is giving this household trouble as well.

[Wai]

As you are able to send other sims to Uni I am pretty certain that your problem is simply that your "lost" sim is corrupted and in this case, replacing the mets-data will rescue him/her. It does not take long, and your recovered sim will not be altered.

If this happens to a sim in WA you will have to make a temporary sim who has travelled to all the same destinations in order to replace their meta-data, but, it is worth the effort.

To avoid this problem in the future, save before travel to any destination including the Future and using the Time Machines. Save again before returning from destinations. Save before collecting diploma in University.

Always use the Save option not the Save and Exit.

If you do not have a maintenance program which clears cache regularly, then do it manually on a regular basis depending on how often you play.

Ditto, Disk Deframentation. I know defrag takes time. I used to pick times to do it when I knew I would be busy elsewhere for half an hour or so. Much easier to have an installed tool which takes care of it for me.

Do not play marathon sessions without saving regularly and, personally, I completely leave and reload the game every couple of hours. (Personal opinion - do not download stuff from un-regulated sources and do not use mods. But, I know there are players who will argue with that.)