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"
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=82007I 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.
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.