The Sims...ARGH!

[FOBSIDE]

Basically I can not play THE SIMS or LIVING LARGE. Yes, I own both CDs and I am trying to play with the orginals. The autoplay menu pops up just fine. Basically when I try to start either THE SIMS or LIVING LARGE from either the start menu or the autoplay menu, my CD drive will spin like it can't read the CD. Then if I pop out the CD it will ask me to insert the CD. If I click RETRY or CONTINUE it will continue for about 20 seconds like it's trying to read the CD but can't and then ill get a black screen where it looks like the game is going to load. Then it dumps me back out onto my desktop. Can anyone tell me a way to play without the CD or get the freaking CD to be read by my computer? It's really pissing me off that I can't play my own game. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dan]

I'm assuming that other games play without any problems, right? If so, you've got a strange one.

You have to have the original SIM's installed in order to install Livin Large, so concentrate on the first CD. Is there any chance of it being damaged or dirty? Have you tried to install the game on a friend's system? Also, can you view the CD's contents via Windows Explorer? If the answer is yes, try to install the game from there.

 

[FOBSIDE]

yup and yup. i cant view both contents in windows explorer. its not an issue of a bad cd. any ideas?

 

[Dan]

It's a process of elimination. If you're sure it's not the CD's, borrow a CD drive from a friend. Pop the friend's drive in your system and see if you can install from that.

 

[FOBSIDE]

installation is not the problem. its playing thats a problem. it will start, then kick me back onto the desktop.

 

[Dan]

Thanks for the clarification. That puts your problem in a whole different light. What video card & drivers are you using?

 

[FOBSIDE]

im using voodoo 3 3000 agp and the latest(i think) drivers from 3dfx.

 

[Dan]

Check out this link: Livin Large Crashes Some of the info there may relate to your situation.

 

[outeredge]

I had sound card problems do the exact thing you are describing.
I had to reinstall my drivers for for my card and the game ran fine after that.