Author Topic: PC game backup - How to backup Sims 2 complete! Never reinstall all 11 disks (Read 12723 times)

spystyle · « **on:** September 13, 2007, 10:15:09 am »

Hello from Maine,

There are a bunch of females in my family, and all have computers. Whenever they brake I have to reinstall the Sims 2, it's 11 games, it's about 20 disks! It's so annoying. Those hours of my life could be saved if I could back up the whole lot...

I figure a person could back up the Sims 2 complete by saving the folders:

C:\program files\EA Games\
C:\Documents and settings\name\my documents\EA Games

Also some registry settings would need to be exported into a REG file.

The data could be 7zipped or RAR'd, incrementally, to fit across 3 DVD-R and it would save hours at reinstall.

Has anyone done that?

Thanks,
Craig

----------
UPDATE
----------

OK, I figured it out! Attached is easy to follow instructions

shardian · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2007, 10:21:02 am »

Dang, how often do they crash their pc's?? You better tell them wimmins to stop lookin up the pornz.

Norton Ghost might be an option for you. Or, you could setup dedicated hardrives for them with the sims on them. A 40 gig HD should hold all of the expansions and everything, right? Maybe even a 20 gig. Then they'd never lose the data and you would just have to reset the links.

ChadTower · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2007, 10:26:22 am »

Yeah, if this is the actual need, I'd ghost the hard drive after the clean install.

spystyle · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2007, 10:59:51 am »

Well it doesn't happen too often, we probably upgrade more often then crash... But installing all 11 Sims 2... it's like getting teeth pulled... even if it's "once in a blue moon" it feels like often.

I just built a new computer for my niece, I know that will need The Sims 2 to be installed on it...

The real kicker is I know it would be very easy to backup!

As for Norton Ghost, I am not familiar with it but I've heard of it many times. That is to backup the entire hard drive right? Not just The Sims 2?

Thanks,
Craig

ChadTower · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2007, 11:07:13 am »

It will do a full OS backup and then you can pick and choose what other content gets backed up.

But really, if this is a constant issue, I'd do what sharidan suggested and get some cheap USB hard drives. Install the game there, that way when the system gets hosed you can just pop the drive back on later.

ahofle · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2007, 11:21:30 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on September 13, 2007, 11:07:13 am

It will do a full OS backup and then you can pick and choose what other content gets backed up.

But really, if this is a constant issue, I'd do what sharidan suggested and get some cheap USB hard drives. Install the game there, that way when the system gets hosed you can just pop the drive back on later.

That would only work if it saves everything to the install folder (ie no registry settings, common DLLs installed in windows/system, etc).

ChadTower · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2007, 11:33:50 am »

There could be accommodations made for that, as mentioned above. Exporting a few registry entries and writing a 5 line batch script to reimport them isn't very difficult, same thing with DLLs dropped into the system dirs. The harder trick would be indentifying all of those things.

spystyle · « **Reply #7 on:** September 13, 2007, 11:35:13 am »

The 11 Sims 2 games install into:

c:\documents and settings\name\EA games
c:\program files\EA Games

and many registry settings

Quote from: ChadTower on September 13, 2007, 11:07:13 am

...It will do a full OS backup and then you can pick and choose what other content gets backed up...

Could I choose just The Sims 2?

Thanks,
Craig

ChadTower · « **Reply #8 on:** September 13, 2007, 11:36:27 am »

Quote from: spystyle on September 13, 2007, 11:35:13 am

Chadtower:
"you can pick and choose what other content gets backed up."

Could I choose just The Sims 2?

No. There is no way you can choose it by app, I would imagine. You'd have to do it by directories/files.

spystyle · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2007, 11:41:52 am »

They didn't know at "Mod The Sims 2" either

http://www.modthesims2.com/showthread.php?p=1767749

I guess I'm the only one that finds installing all 11 games unnecessary to do more than once in a lifetime?

I guess I will have to figure out how to export the registry settings... How can I do that? EDIT : Hey, maybe I could just do the opposite of this:
http://thesims2.eagames.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=286228

Quote from: EA Games on September 13, 2007, 11:41:52 am

Editing The Registry keys

1. Click on the + next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
2. Click on the + next to SOFTWARE
3. Click on the + next to EA GAMES
4. Right-click on The Sims 2 folder and choose Delete.
5. A Confirm Key Delete window will appear, choose Yes.
6. Click on the + next to Electronic Arts
7. Click on the + next to EA GAMES
8. Right-click on The Sims 2 and choose Delete.
9. A Confirm Key Delete window will appear, choose Yes.
10. Click on the + next to Microsoft.
11. Click on the + next to Windows.
12. Click on the + next to Current Version.
13. Click on the + next to Uninstall.
14. Select the right key to delete dpending on what version you have.

* If you have the CD edition, right-click on the the Key named {8AB8D458-939E-403F-0097-9BA1C1F013D5} and choose Delete.
* if you have the DVD edition, right-click on the Key named {40C03514-89C3-41BA-0090-3B440256DB87} and choose Delete.
* If you have the UK/European CD edition right-click on the Key named {6E7DD182-9FC6-4651-0095-2E666CC6AF35} and choose Delete.

15. A Confirm Key Delete window will appear, choose Yes.

The Sims 2 has now been completely removed from your system.

Thanks,
Craig

ahofle · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2007, 11:46:07 am »

Quote from: spystyle on September 13, 2007, 11:41:52 am

I guess I'm the only one that finds installing all 11 games unnecessary to do more than once in a lifetime?

You're not the only one. The windows registry blows -- I miss the days of plain text cfg or ini files in the same directory as the application and no windows crap installed into the system directories. I used to have my Quake2 folder backed up and when I got a new computer, I just copied it over with no problems.

spystyle · « **Reply #11 on:** September 13, 2007, 11:47:02 am »

Those were the good old days!

spystyle · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2007, 12:41:52 pm »

OK, I am working on it now. It will take a couple hours for WinRAR to zip all those files. After I will test it in "virtual machine" or maybe on a spare computer. I will report my findings.

Below is the "beta version" of my "Sims 2 complete backup" theory.

UPDATE : I have added lines and it will work. Peeps go to "The Hardware Guy" of "MSFN forums"

Quote from: spystyle on September 13, 2007, 11:47:02 am

How to backup The Sims 2 complete with all of your installed expansion packs

backup folders:

C:\Documents and Settings\name\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2

(this is a subdirectory in your "My Documents" folder

C:\program files\EA Games\ *.*

(this will vary depending on where you installed your games to)

registry entries:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\ *.*

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\ *.*

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP1.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP2.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP3.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP4.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP5.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP6.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2SP1.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2SP2.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2SP4.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2SP5.exe

----------------

To get the registry entires:

click "start" then "run"
type "regedit" (without quotes)
within regedit, "export registry file"

This will save your registry as a text file. Now you can find the file, edit it, and copy/paste the above registry entries to a separate text file.

Make a text file containing the above registry entries, save it as "sims2 complete.reg" or similar.

Note : The registry file you make must start with the following line:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

Otherwise it will not work.

--------------------

When backing up folders, use Winrar, choose:

"store full paths including drive letters"

Under "split volumes" type "4400m" (without quotes) this will split the backup into files that can fit on DVD-R disks.

---------------------

When restoring backup all files must be exactly where they used to be - that is why we choose "store full paths including drive letters"

Then double click "sims2 complete.reg" and merge it with your registry

I wonder if it will work....

UPDATE:

Well I'll be... Someone else had the same idea and got it to work:

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=82007

I found it by Googling "Sims 2" +REG

Previously I was Googling "Sims 2" +backup +complete and had no luck because many n00bs were asking how to backup the folder under "my documents"

There should be a "n00b filter" for Google searches!

I was close, but I had neglected to include the following registry folder:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\

You can't copy that entire folder, you have to copy one line for each Sims 2 game you have installed.

Groovy, anyway now I will never have to reinstall the 11 Sims 2!!!!!!

I've also learned about the Windows registry. Now I am a smartypants

Cheers,
Craig

p.s. Below is what my "Sims 2 complete.reg" looks like, but I have installed the games like this:

So you can't just copy my REG, sorry! But I have posted my REG file below so you will know what yours should resemble.

Quote from: My Sims 2 complete REG file on September 13, 2007, 11:47:02 am

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2]
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="2940524544"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English UK"
"Locale"="en_uk"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\THESIM~1\\"
"Product GUID"="{6E7DD182-9FC6-4651-0095-2E666CC6AF35}"
"Region"="MX08004261"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims 2\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2.exe"
"EPsInstalled"="Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2EP2.exe,Sims2EP3.exe,Sims2SP1.exe,Sims2SP2.exe,Sims2EP4.exe,Sims2EP5.exe,Sims2SP4.exe,Sims2SP5.exe,Sims2EP6.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000013
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2"
"LanguageName"="English UK"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Bon Voyage]
"DisplayName"="The Sims™ 2 Bon Voyage"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Bon Voyage\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="989150208"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English UK"
"Locale"="en_uk"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\THC8EA~1\\"
"Product GUID"="{F248ADFA-64E0-4b03-8A83-059078BED6A0}"
"Region"="MX"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\games\\The Sims™ 2 Bon Voyage\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2SP5.exe,Sims2SP4.exe,Sims2EP5.exe,Sims2EP4.exe,Sims2SP2.exe,Sims2SP1.exe,Sims2EP3.exe,Sims2EP2.exe,Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Bon Voyage\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000013
"DisplayName"="The Sims™ 2 Bon Voyage"
"LanguageName"="English UK"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff]
"DisplayName"="The Sims™ 2 Celebration! Stuff"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="381243392"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English UK"
"Locale"="en_uk"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\TH7EF9~1\\"
"Product GUID"="{EAA38532-7AD0-4f78-918A-4F4F02096ECE}"
"Region"="none"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims™ 2 Celebration! Stuff\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2SP2.exe,Sims2SP1.exe,Sims2EP3.exe,Sims2EP2.exe,Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000013
"DisplayName"="The Sims™ 2 Celebration! Stuff"
"LanguageName"="English UK"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff]
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="307906560"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English US"
"Locale"="en_us"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\THB261~1\\"
"Product GUID"="{6BDD9CE6-D0A6-478A-BAD3-BA6945E89EB0}"
"Region"="15158"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2EP3.exe,Sims2EP2.exe,Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000001
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff"
"LanguageName"="English US"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff]
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="368110592"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English US"
"Locale"="en_us"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\TH98E7~1\\"
"Product GUID"="{9CDBC303-3EED-40b0-8E41-A7C65AA96C26}"
"Region"="15208"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2SP1.exe,Sims2EP3.exe,Sims2EP2.exe,Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000001
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff"
"LanguageName"="English US"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 H M Fashion Stuff]
"DisplayName"="The Sims™ 2 H&M® Fashion Stuff"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 H M Fashion Stuff\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="512181248"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English UK"
"Locale"="en_uk"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\TH14B0~1\\"
"Product GUID"="{84DDE556-43EF-43ed-B2DF-37AF9E5DDD75}"
"Region"="15647"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims™ 2 H&M® Fashion Stuff\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2SP2.exe,Sims2SP1.exe,Sims2EP3.exe,Sims2EP2.exe,Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 H M Fashion Stuff\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000013
"DisplayName"="The Sims™ 2 H&M® Fashion Stuff"
"LanguageName"="English UK"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Nightlife]
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Nightlife"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Nightlife\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="1361747968"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English US"
"Locale"="en_us"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\THESIM~3\\"
"Product GUID"="{F7529650-B9DB-481B-0089-A2AC3C2821C1}"
"Region"="14970"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims 2 Nightlife\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Nightlife\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000001
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Nightlife"
"LanguageName"="English US"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Open For Business]
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Open For Business"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Open For Business\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="730569728"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English UK"
"Locale"="en_uk"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\OPENFO~1\\"
"Product GUID"="{7B3577F5-1D82-4C9B-008B-69D026FD8BCA}"
"Region"="15157"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims 2 Open For Business\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2EP2.exe,Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Open For Business\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000013
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Open For Business"
"LanguageName"="English UK"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Pets]
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Pets"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Pets\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="833653760"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English UK"
"Locale"="en_uk"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\THESIM~4\\"
"Product GUID"="{4817189D-1785-4627-A33C-39FD90919300}"
"Region"="MX08005412"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims 2 Pets\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2SP2.exe,Sims2SP1.exe,Sims2EP3.exe,Sims2EP2.exe,Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Pets\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000013
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 Pets"
"LanguageName"="English UK"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Seasons]
"DisplayName"="The Sims™ 2 Seasons"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Seasons\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="907324416"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English UK"
"Locale"="en_uk"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\TH869A~1\\"
"Product GUID"="{DFEF49D9-FC95-4301-99B9-2FB91C6ABA06}"
"Region"="MX"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims™ 2 Seasons\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"="Sims2EP4.exe,Sims2SP2.exe,Sims2SP1.exe,Sims2EP3.exe,Sims2EP2.exe,Sims2EP1.exe,Sims2.exe"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Seasons\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000013
"DisplayName"="The Sims™ 2 Seasons"
"LanguageName"="English UK"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 University]
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 University"
"Installed From"="G:\\"
"Registration"="SOFTWARE\\Electronic Arts\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 University\\ergc"
"CacheSize"="983398400"
"SwapSize"="0"
"Language"="English US"
"Locale"="en_us"
"CD Drive"="G:\\"
"Install Dir"="C:\\games\\THESIM~1\\THESIM~2\\"
"Product GUID"="{8FD3F4BA-A4A6-4380-00A6-CC6853AB2DC2}"
"Region"="14917"
"Folder"="C:\\Documents and Settings\\All Users\\Start Menu\\Programs\\GAMES\\The Sims 2 University\\"
"Patch URL"="http://thesims2.ea.com/update/"
"Suppression Exe"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 University\1.0]
"Language"=dword:00000001
"DisplayName"="The Sims 2 University"
"LanguageName"="English US"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA CORE]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA CORE\INSTALLED GAMES]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA CORE\INSTALLED GAMES\EAGAMES]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2\ergc]
@="374UU5GT1RZ94PDGT5QZ"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Bon Voyage]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Bon Voyage\ergc]
@="1PH92Q1J1111G1111FLT"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff\ergc]
@="AS33RLGDBEJK8BEJPRLD"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff\ergc]
@="5U7FKRK4FDB66KQSLDHZ"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff\ergc]
@="ELUC83CQEWHMKKYVQMR4"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 H M Fashion Stuff]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 H M Fashion Stuff\ergc]
@="F6B3G84H8UR3D8R2SZ9E"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Nightlife]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Nightlife\ergc]
@="3S7XSVEAGF3ULV7TDBHP"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Open For Business]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Open For Business\ergc]
@="XVSA24UGG34WNG32YRLD"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\ergc]
@="G3TKJV6K4TWVQJKK9M9W"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Seasons]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 Seasons\ergc]
@="252APPWQX2AZZX225RLD"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 University]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\EA Games\The Sims 2 University\ergc]
@="R44CHRNLVUCT8WAZU1G9"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Electronic Arts\Electronic Arts]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2\\TSBin\\Sims2.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP1.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 University"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 University\\TSBin\\Sims2EP1.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 University"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP2.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Nightlife"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Nightlife\\TSBin\\Sims2EP2.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Nightlife"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP3.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Open For Business"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\Open For Business\\TSBin\\Sims2EP3.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\Open For Business"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP4.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Pets"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Pets\\TSBin\\Sims2EP4.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Pets"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP5.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Seasons"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Seasons\\TSBin\\Sims2EP5.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Seasons"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2EP6.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Bon Voyage"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Bon Voyage\\TSBin\\Sims2EP6.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Bon Voyage"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2SP1.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff\\TSBin\\Sims2SP1.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2SP2.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff\\TSBin\\Sims2SP2.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2SP4.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 Celebration Stuff"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Celebration! Stuff\\TSBin\\Sims2SP4.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 Celebration! Stuff"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\Sims2SP5.exe]
"Game Registry"="SOFTWARE\\EA GAMES\\The Sims 2 H M Fashion Stuff"
"Restart"=dword:00000000
"Installed"=dword:00000001
@="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff\\TSBin\\Sims2SP5.exe"
"Path"="C:\\games\\The Sims 2\\The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff"

OK, I tested the above method and REG file on a computer with a fresh OS install, it worked, but the "my documents" backup must go into the current user's "my documents" folder.

For example:

If the backup was made on a computer where the user was named "Administrator", but then transferred to a computer where the user was named "Jamie", the backup will create the folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2

But on the "Jamie" computer there is no user named "Administrator", only a user named "Jamie", so the above folder must be moved to:

C:\Documents and Settings\Jamie\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2

Otherwise the game will start but not be able to load the neighborhoods.

RayB · « **Reply #13 on:** September 15, 2007, 01:50:24 am »

geez, what you do is you start the first installation, set up the paths and tell the "wimmenz" to sit there and come get you when it's done. Then you show em how the first expansion gets installed and let them do the rest themselves. It's pretty automated. My step daughter could do it herself when she was 12.

spystyle · « **Reply #14 on:** September 15, 2007, 09:04:48 am »

That's cruel and unusual punishment!

I wouldn't make my worst enemy sit through all 11 installations! It would be more humane to use a gun.

I guess I just find it so unnecessary and inefficient, as a computer tech I like to make these things easy.

A similar example is "driverpacks" - I used to have to hunt down drivers every time I installed Windows XP/2K/Tiny on a customer's computer, but thanks to "driverpacks" those days are long gone.

A similar example is horse - I used to have to ride a horse to work everyday, but now I have a car and those days of carrying a small shovel and a bag around are long behind me.

Just kidding

But seriously, easy is good! Efficiency is a thing of beauty :) All my Sims 2 installations from now on will be effortless and quick.

Cheers,
Craig

ChadTower · « **Reply #15 on:** September 15, 2007, 11:03:47 am »

As a "computer tech" easy would be taking away admin rights to those users. That way they can't keep damaging the machines.

spystyle · « **Reply #16 on:** September 15, 2007, 12:25:15 pm »

Well, one example is my niece, who lives with her boyfriend, who is a "tinkerer" with the computer - So I have to revive that one occasionally.

Also when building a new computer everything has to be installed fresh.

But they don't really brake their computers too often, it just feels like such a chore installing all 11 games.

Like going to the DMV - even if it only happens once a year it always feels like just yesterday I was there... in line for what felt like hours... Next to that smelly guy and the lady who talks to herself...

As for messing with admin rights, I don't like the idea. Then they wouldn't be able to install things and I would get lots of phone calls...

Cheers,
Craig


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Author Topic: PC game backup - How to backup Sims 2 complete! Never reinstall all 11 disks (Read 12723 times)

spystyle

PC game backup - How to backup Sims 2 complete! Never reinstall all 11 disks

shardian

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

ChadTower

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

spystyle

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

ChadTower

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

ahofle

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

ChadTower

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

spystyle

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

ChadTower

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

spystyle

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

ahofle

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

spystyle

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

spystyle

Re: PC game backup - does anyone know how to backup Sims 2 complete?

RayB

Re: PC game backup - How to backup Sims 2 complete! Never reinstall all 11 disks

spystyle

Re: PC game backup - How to backup Sims 2 complete! Never reinstall all 11 disks

ChadTower

Re: PC game backup - How to backup Sims 2 complete! Never reinstall all 11 disks

spystyle

Re: PC game backup - How to backup Sims 2 complete! Never reinstall all 11 disks