Just bought this game, doesn't work.

[GhosterStrudel]

I just bought The Sims 3 off of steam as it is on sale this week. I installed it and got on and did the content update (I have absolutly no save data or anything so everyone that is posting about deleting the Sims 3 file under your documents, I've done this and it has not solved the problem). I have tried a few different things, deleting .package files and starting it up again and nothing works, help please? The error I recieve is the service initialization failed (0x02957b48) error.

[CrispyNoodle]

Have you verified the steam installation? This can fix a multitude of errors if it is due to corrupted install files.

[GhosterStrudel]

What do you mean, use the CD code it provides me with?

[johnndab]

I am having a somewhat similar problem.

I can play the game but when I tried to install the expansion pack Sims 3 Late NIght and the installation wouldnt go through saying that SIms 3 is not installed.

Please help!

[Aoi Blue]

Service initialization failed error has to do with one of two things, depending on the stage.

If it is reported when the launcher is coming up (right after you hit play in steam), it is an issue with your .net (or the launcher's binary, or some file it's loading, such as any expansion content you have installed, including DLC.) I

If the issue is reported after the launcher, when the main binary is loading, it could be copy protection or other issue. Make sure you have sufficient authority on your computer to install system-level software. You need to launch the game with a user who can install programs on the first run, such as an administrator user or a power user. I recommend using a power-user, as not to overuse administrator authority. This is required for the SecureROM DRM to authorize the install.

As of the CD-Code, that is used to register at the Sims 3 website. It seems that Steam doesn't realize that it already installed the CD-Code in the registry for the Sims 3 binary to find, but it still makes it enter the code again to register. (We can blame EA's programmer's for this, not Maxis or Steam.) Without the CD code you can't download the bonus content you get for registering the game, and any DLC you bought.

[Para]

iff u havent restarted ur pc, that sometimes helps things fix and fix ur installation