The Sims2, Expansions, and Stuff Packs Install Order + Stories Series (CGuides)

[Crypton]

Guide Quick Links

Sims 2™ Expansions and Stuff/Party Packs, What was Added (http://www.gamefileforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14494#post14494)
The Sims™ Stories Series Install Order (http://www.gamefileforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14497#post14497)

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Alot of issues with installing Sims 2™ and any Expansion and Party or Stuff Packs can be avoided by installing in the order which they were released. Use this reference when installing your game + any expansions you own to help avoid issues with errors or failing to install properly. Also note that installing the latest update patch after each one that has a patch available is also helpful in avoiding issues when installing the next expansion/pack (when the game verifies if it is updated already or not). I have never had any issues installing and playing Sims 2™ and the Addons doing things this way.

I will update this guide as needed. I also have noted the release date next to each in green italic, this is using American Date Format as you can see (MM/DD/YY). All dates are based on US Releases (Euro may be a different release date, but should be same install order).

EP = Expansion Pack
PP = Party Pack
SP = Stuff Pack

Install Order:

[LIST=1]
01.Sims2 ( protection SafeDisc v3.2 )
02.Sims2 patch v.1.0.0.1022 ( protection SafeDisc v4.00.001 )
03.Sims2: University ( protection SafeDisc v4.00.001 )
04 Univeristy patch v.1.1.0.284 ( protection SafeDisc v4.00.001 )
05.Sims2: Nightlife (protection SafeDisc v4.00.001)
06.Nightlife patch v.1.2.0.355 ( protection SafeDisc 4.00.001 )
07.Sims2: ChristmasParty Pack(aka Holiday Party Pack for UK version of Sims2, unprotected )
08.Sims2: Open For Business ( protection SafeDisc v4.60.000 )
09.Open For Business patch v.1.3.0.351 9 (protection Safedisc v4.60.000 )
10.Sims2: Family Fun Stuff ( protection SafeDisc v4.60.000 )
11.Family Fun Stuff patch v.1.4.0.142 ( protection SafeDisc v.4.60.000 )
12.Sims2: Glamour Life Stuff ( protection SafeDisc v4.60.000 )
13.Sims2: Pets ( protection SafeDisc v4.60.000 )
14.Pets patch v.1.6.0.277 ( protection SafeDisc v.4.60.000 )
15.Sims2: Happy Holiday(not the same with the Xmas pack, unprotected )
16.Sims2: Seasons ( protection SafeDisc 4.60.000)
17.Seasons patch v.1.7.0.158 ( protection SafeDisc v4.60.000)
18.Sims2: Celebration Stuff (protection SafeDisc 4.60.000)
19.Sims2: H&M Stuff ( protection Safedisc4.60.000/Securom7 )
20.Sims2: Bon Voyage ( protection Safedisc4.60.000/Securom7 )
21.Bon Voyage patch v.1.10.0.130 ( protection Safedisc4.60.000/Securom7 )
22.Sims2: Teen Style Stuff ( protection Safedisc4.60.000/Securom7 )
23.Sims2: Free Time ( protection Securom 7.035.0007 )
24.Free Time patch 1.13.01.48 ( protection Securom 7.036.0011)
25.Sims2: Kitchen And Bath Interior Design Stuff ( protection Securom 7.036.011 )
26.Free Time patch 1.13.0.155
27.Sims2: IKEA Home Stuff ( protection Securom 7.37.0007 )
28.Free Time patch 1.13.0.161
29.Sims2: Apartment Life ( protection Securom 7.37.0012 )
30.Apartment Life patch v1.16.0.194
31.Sims2:Mansion And Garden Stuff ( protection unknown)

Notes:

A new patch was released June 18, 2007 for Seasons (EP5) to resolve issues with the last patch get updated again...
Next to each patch, I listed the update version (as of this guide).
Holiday Party Pack and Happy Holiday Stuff, are different addons. Please do not confuse them as being the same, they are not the same addon.
Christmas Party Pack is the same as "Holiday Party Pack" The difference is only US vs UK/Euro versions.
Items marked with ** means there are 2 versions. One you can purchase seperately and one that comes with Holiday Edition Versions 1 and 2.
Items marked with *** means there are 2 versions, the Full version and the Mini-Pack. the Full version contains 60 new stuff, and the Mini-Pack has around half of the full pack. If you have the Holiday Edition (Version 2) of The Sims 2, the full version is supplied with the game.

Sims 2™ Versions and Release Dates:

Sims 2™ (4 CD or 1 DVD) - September 17, 2004
Sims 2™: Holiday Edition (Version 1) - November 17, 2005 - (Core game, Holiday Edition Version 1 Contains Holiday Party Pack)
Sims 2™: Holiday Edition (Version 2) - November 7, 2006 - (Core game, Holiday Edition Version 2 Contains Happy Holiday Stuff)
Sims 2™: Deluxe Edition - May 8, 2007 - (Core game, The Sims 2: Nightlife, Bonus DVD)
Sims 2™: Double Deluxe - April 15, 2008 - (Core game - The Sims 2: Deluxe, The Sims 2: Celebration! Stuff)

Patches can always be found at: http://thesims2.ea.com/update/

[Crypton]

Sims 2™ Expansions + Stuff/Party Packs, what was added? (In a NutShell):

The Sims 2™: University:
- New Young Adult Age Group
- Become the Big Sim on Campus
- Earn Degrees to Open Up New Careers
- New College Towns
- College Lifestyle
- Lifetime Wants
- Pranks
- Influence
- 4 Graduate Careers
- Zombies
- Over 100 New Objects and Decor Items

The Sims 2™: Nightlife:
- Dating
- Downtown Community
- Grilled Cheese Aspiration
- Chemistry
- Fury
- Determine the fate of your sims love life
- Pleasure Aspiration
- 'Drivable' Vehicles
- Send sims out on dates, etc..
- Vampires
- Over 125 New Objects & Items

The Sims 2™: Christmas Party Pack / Holiday Party Pack:
- Over 40 New Items for Christmas Celebrations
- Christmas
- Halloween
- Thanksgiving
- Hanukkah
- Kwanzaa

The Sims 2™: Open for Business:
- Businesses
- Shopping Districts
- Talent Badges
- Be your own Boss
- Robots
- Elevators
- Learn the tricks of the trade (Develope Sales Skills etc...)
- Turn your talent into cash (Toy Making etc..)
- Over 125 New Items

The Sims 2™: Family Fun Stuff:
- New Decor
- New Styles
- 60 New Stuff
- Fairy tale
- Nautical

The Sims 2™: Glamour Life Stuff:
- New Home Decor
- New Outfits
- 60 New Stuff
- Luxury
- Couture

The Sims 2™: Pets:
- Your Sims Have Pets!
- Pet Store Lots
- Create Pets
- Pets have Genetics
- Teach Pets Tricks
- Pets Have Jobs
- Show Off and Share Your Pet Creations
- Werewolves

The Sims 2™: Happy Holiday Stuff:
- 60 New Items
- Holiday Home Decor
- Holiday Lumberjack Statuette
- Huge Tree Extravaganza
- Ski Jump Frosty
- Holiday PJs
- Cheongsam
- Artic Santa
- Asian Holiday Elements

The Sims 2™: Seasons:
- Dramatic and Detailed Weather Effects
- Riverblossom Hills Neighborhood
- Benefit from Each Season (Effects Moods, etc...)
- Share New activities (Snowmen etc...)
- Reap the Fruits of Your Sims' Labors (Growing/Harvesting Food)
- Master New Talents (Gardening Club etc..)
- Talent Badge for Children
- Explore 6 New Careers
- Dress for the Season
- Fun New Items
- Fishing
- Gardening
- PlantSims

The Sims 2™: Celebration Stuff:
- Plan Weddings
- Decorate for Celebrations (ex. Weddings & Birthdays)
- Fiesta and Party Accessories

The Sims 2™: H&M Fashion Stuff:
- Dress up for the season (Summer)
- H&M Retail Design Features (Design your own H&M Retail Store)
- Spotlight Top Fashions
- Latest Fashion Collections from H&M

The Sims 2™: Bon Voyage:
- Vacations in Tropical Oriental and Woodland (Camping) Areas
- Traditions & Items (collect shells, find new locations, rare items, etc..)
- NPC's (Fire Dancers, Bellboys, Ninja, etc..)
- Activities (Sunbathing, Massage, etc..)
- Pirate Ship (climb onto and play on)
- New objects for building
- Piercings, (rings, etc..)

The Sims 2™: Teen Style Stuff:
- Unique furniture, decor items, fashions, etc...
- Three distinct themes - Goth, Thrasher, and Socialite.
- New gadgets, TV's Stereos, etc..

The Sims 2™: FreeTime:
- New activities, restoring vehicles, playing catch, etc.. (Sports, Science, Art & Crafts, etc..)
- Lifetime awards for hobbies
- Sell Arts & Crafts etc..
- New activities for kids (Playing with blocks, Drawing, etc..)
- Low skilled hobbiest can have unexpected results (uneven jars on pottery, etc..)

[Crypton]

Sims 2 Help and other Information:
Sims 2 runs from the last "Expansion" installed. If you have all the expansion and stuff/party packs for example, even though Celebration Stuff and Fashion Stuff are installed after Seasons, you will run the game using the Seasons shortcut and Seasons Play Disc since Seasons is an Expansion and the other mentioned 2 are only Stuff Packs.

[Crypton]

The Sims Life Stories is a completely new series from Maxis/EA. It does not require any previous version of Sims to play. Sims Stories series is also made "notebook" friendly so you can play on your notebook/labtop PC. Pets includes a battery indicator so you can monitor your battery power during gameplay.

Install Order - NONE They are seperate games.

Life Stories - February 6, 2007 - SafeDisc 4
Pet Stories - June 19, 2007 - SecuROM 7
Castaway Stories - January 28, 2008 - SecuROM 7


Official Website:
http://sims.yahoo.com

[Crypton]

Reserved... (reserving these spots for additional info)

[DuffMan]

Nice work there Crypton ;)

[wolfsrain]

It's just me or EA seems to rerelease the original Sims expansions for Sims2?!!!
It only missed two, but the year is young(Superstar and Making Magic).
Just my opinion:
Nightlife=Hot Date + House Party
Seasons and Bon Voyage = Vacation
The Stuff Packs = Living Large
Pets = Pets Unleashed
Anyway, fabulous job, Crypton.

[wolfsrain]

Also you may update the patches section with the Bon Voyage patch.
Hobbies(or Free Time, that depends where you live) is around the corner, the release being announced for the beginning of February. Castaway Stories will come out at the end of this month.
Also Bon Voyage has a changed protection, which is a mix between Securom and Safedisc.
The Teen Stuff pack is also missing from the installation guide. If I remember well, it's after Bon Voyage, though not sure about that.

[Crypton]

yup I know I need to update, just been busy.

[wolfsrain]

Well, it's a good guide, anyway. I've just used it to install the whole Sims2 experience(original plus addons plus stuff packs) on the PC of a friend. She loved the first Sims and she went berserk a few days ago and bought all the releases in Sims2 serie. Of course, she was stuck when it was about to install those:D
It was a pain in the... errr...you know, just to install all that. Hopefully, I'm not going to do this soon, again...

[Crypton]

Well, it's a good guide, anyway. I've just used it to install the whole Sims2 experience(original plus addons plus stuff packs) on the PC of a friend. She loved the first Sims and she went berserk a few days ago and bought all the releases in Sims2 serie. Of course, she was stuck when it was about to install those:D
It was a pain in the... errr...you know, just to install all that. Hopefully, I'm not going to do this soon, again...
yeah, wish they would start putting majority of things into the first release and not make so many expansions, is a real tedious time getting everything installed as there are so many lol. I never look forward to it when I get in the mood to play, but hate to have it sit there when im not going to play it due to it taking so much space.

Oh, and updated, should be fairly acurate now, maybe not "perfect" but it should work as the guide intends.

[wolfsrain]

Yup, it's the right order. Hopefully they will release a Complete Collection as they did with The Sims 1. That release reduced the number of CD's from about 3 CDs to 3CDs. Now if they are doing the same with Sims2, that would be great.

[DuffMan]

Yup, it's the right order. Hopefully they will release a Complete Collection as they did with The Sims 1. That release reduced the number of CD's from about 3 CDs to 3CDs. Now if they are doing the same with Sims2, that would be great.

Not another Sims title!! ;)

[wolfsrain]

This time is about another two Sims titles:D

[DuffMan]

This time is about another two Sims titles:D

It's crazy hey! The Sims titles will never die ;)

[wolfsrain]

Well, as I've got my hands on Sims Castaway Stories for both PC and PSP, I've checked the date for Sims2: Free Time, which still remains for February.
Checking this led to a new discovery:
The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff
This stuff pack is announced for April in US. As you can all see, EA wants as with the harddrives full of various Sims until they release The Sims 3:D

[DuffMan]

Has to be the most successful game franchise of all time.

[akstylish]

EA is evil, though. That's just way too many expansion packs. Just how much money do you need to buy all those? I'm gonna wait until complete collection comes out, or I'm just gonna play sims 1 :(

[DuffMan]

EA is evil, though. That's just way too many expansion packs. Just how much money do you need to buy all those? I'm gonna wait until complete collection comes out, or I'm just gonna play sims 1 :(

Yeh pretty crazy hey, but if people are willing to buy them, why not!?

[wolfsrain]

The protection for Free Time is Securom 7.35.0007.
Now we'll see another stuff pack in April. oh, the joys of the corporate world.

[DuffMan]

The protection for Free Time is Securom 7.35.0007.
Now we'll see another stuff pack in April. oh, the joys of the corporate world.

You can't deny the success of this game franchise though, it's out of control!

[wolfsrain]

Yeah the best selling franchise on PC ever. If you take a look to the best selling PC games from all the times(well, since the PC came to our lifes), the top is filled with various Sims games and expansions for Sims.

[wolfsrain]

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3166813
The first thingies about the neverending Sims(soon at the thrid edition), the true invaders of our home PCs. I guess there are a lot of you with girlfriends, sisters or other parts of the female gender whic are keeping your PC space filled with The Sims. So here the first story about what's gonna be in the next installment.

[Crypton]

Too many sims LOL, waiting on Spore. Man they pushed the release date back, but at least we have an official release date now :(

[Early_Grayce]

I guess there are a lot of you with girlfriends, sisters or other parts of the female gender whic are keeping your PC space filled with The Sims.
If you have that problem you should buy yourself a new computer, my Girlfriend has my old 208 with 6600GT and Audigy "almost" just for that.:rolleyes:
Forgot to say Thanks for this it saves me some heartache when I am installing this game.

[wolfsrain]

Patch for Free Time, you might want to add it to the guide, as the final stuff pack(hopefully THE FINAL), will be released this month.
Grayce:about The Sims2, it's what I did in the end, when my patience ran really thin:D I still didn't elude the task of keeping that monster game upt-to-date though.
Free Time patch v.1.13.01.48 (protection Securom 7.036.0011)
Here is the full data about the new patch.
Sims2: Apartment Life was announced for this Fall, as the Sims3 was pushed to a 2009 release. This will be a full fledged expansion and not a stuff pack.

[CanadianChick]

Hey guys I've got a question for you. I have Windows Vista on my computer and for some reason it won't load Pet Stories properly. It will play the intro video that is on all the sims games but that is all it will do. It stops responding after that. Is there a patch that I can download to fix this. :confused: Any help with this issue would be great. thanks

[Crypton]

Hey guys I've got a question for you. I have Windows Vista on my computer and for some reason it won't load Pet Stories properly. It will play the intro video that is on all the sims games but that is all it will do. It stops responding after that. Is there a patch that I can download to fix this. :confused: Any help with this issue would be great. thanks
Have you tried running the game with XP compatibility? Right click the shortcut icon, goto properties, then look on the Compatiblity tab. Can also try running the game as Admin. Right click icon, Run As > Admin

[DuffMan]

Crypton the man is back! :p

[Crypton]

Crypton the man is back! :p
Trying to be lol, got so much going on right now, hard to find any time for anything :(

[wolfsrain]

Hey, long time no see.
I'm gonna ask for your permission to bring up-to-date the Sims2 FAQ as they've released another stuff pack and two patches for Free Time. Also another stuff pack will be released in aabout two weeks and a new expansion will come out in august.
Hopefully, things are well for you. Wish you good luck with whatever are you doing right now:)

[Crypton]

I will update it soon, I am still around, just not alot of time to read every post that comes across this site currently.

[Crypton]

Should be updated for install order, will go back and add the "in a nutshell" stuff later :P Protection on current stuff is irrelevant. I base it on what was used when it was released, not what it currently contains.

Anyhow. Got my hands on the Spore Creature Editor Trial edition a bit early from a magazine :P Going to have some fun!

[Jobogirl]

I currently have the base game installed with the no cd patch. My brother just bought me the sims 2 pets. Will it work with my sims 2 base game?

[DuffMan]

I currently have the base game installed with the no cd patch. My brother just bought me the sims 2 pets. Will it work with my sims 2 base game?

I'm not too sure on that, if you copy the original exe back it should install I think?

[OldSkoolAssasin]

I thought it would be helpful to add the ninth and hopefully final "Stuff Pack" to the list. Mansion and Garden Stuff was released in the US; November 18, 2008 and in my Aussie hometown; November 21, 2008.

[wolfsrain]

I will add the extra info this week. As Crypton has some real life issues, he wasn't able to update the FAQ. Another FAQ can be found on the Megagames forum, pretty much inspired by this one. You can use that one until I manage to update this.

[nzemz]

How do you un-install all the SIMS 2 so you can re install these?
Mansions & Gardens is the last one we added and that is the CD the game asks us to use to play. However as previously stated we are having so many issues and would like to un-install and then re-install to see if that helps.
We go to remove software programmes but it doesn't recognise Mansion & Gardens, doesn't even come up on list (all other SIMS 2 cd's do).
Can you do a manual un-install?

[Crypton]

Any specific reason why you destroyed what I busted my ass to work on Wolf? Completly removed my color coding, dates I provides for the releases etc.. on the OP ?? Now I have to go look up the dates again, reformat the guide etc.. I would appriciate it if my work was left alone.

[GamerDude12]

my friend let me borrow her sims2 then i installed it it went fine then i installed a burnt university(so i didnt have to use her disk0 it installed then it patched up then i went to play and i had my disk 1 inside my computer but it said something like please reinsert the disk and restart the applicate can someone answer this question quick i only have another day to get my university working!

thxs

[wolfsrain]

Sorry, you've just stated that you don't own the game. Read the forum rules before posting. Go and buy the damn game, it should be in bargain bins by now.

[Alibaba_chor]

Hello GamerDude12,

I think your games installation file or a patch might not be updated but I will provide you an latest patch for your game which will help you to solve your problem, am having the similar problem, and when I search on the internet I got this patch, when I tried installing this patch and rerun my game it works perfectly and now am enjoying my game. You can download the game patch from Techarena download section.

You need to search for "The Sims 2 Nightlife CD Patch 1.2.0.355" without double inverted Quama search box.

Thanks

[wolfsrain]

Alibaba_chor, he already mentioned that he doesn't own the game. Please refrain from answering to that guy anymore.
The first page of the thread has all the needed informations for anyone that owns the originals.

[rockstar09]

ok i got my other prblem fixed, but now i have a new one
i just got the sims 2 double deluxe form WalMart 2day and I am trying to install it, but it says please enter Disc 1. It only has 1 disc. so idk what to do. maybe get a patch? if yes plz tell me which one!!
HELP!!!!

[wolfsrain]

You should have two discs, so go back to the store and ask them what happened with the second disc

[wolfsrain]

Check that thread
http://forums.megagames.com/forums/showthread.php?55116-Sims2-correct-install-order

Credits for most of the thread belong to our own Crypton and to me (for updating).
Make sure you've installed the game in exactly that order. Also make sure you have the correct no-cd for University (I suggest to grab the latest patch and the no-cd for that patch).

Also check the tech specifications, that were also brought up-to-date. Make sure you have the latest video/sound drivers.

[DuffMan]

Check that thread
http://forums.megagames.com/forums/showthread.php?55116-Sims2-correct-install-order

Credits for most of the thread belong to our own Crypton and to me (for updating).
Make sure you've installed the game in exactly that order. Also make sure you have the correct no-cd for University (I suggest to grab the latest patch and the no-cd for that patch).

Also check the tech specifications, that were also brought up-to-date. Make sure you have the latest video/sound drivers.

Nice one wolfsrain :D