View source for Game Help:DFDD1 What you Need/Archiver

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==The tools==
{{Infobox_Info|You only need ''one'' archiver program, so just choose Winrar ''or'' 7Zip. If you're on the Mac OS, you already have a built-in archiver program, or you can choose the alternative below.}}
# Downloads on MTS are compressed in either .rar or .zip files. The content inside these files need to be uncompressed/extracted first by an archiver-type program. There are various types of these applications, among the popular ones are listed below. It is the "''extracted''" content in the rar/zip file that we shall be installing. 
#:You need to have ''one'' of these applications installed on your computer
#:* [[Image:GCCTSU 7zip.png|38px]] [http://www.7-zip.org/ '''7-zip'''] (Windows, '''freeware'''), 
#:* [[Image:GCCTSU winrar.png|38px]] [http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm winrar] (Windows, nagware), 
#:** You will most likely want the top link to the Graphic and Command Line, Trial version.
#:** Though WinRAR says it's a trial, it's a trial that never really runs out... After the 40 day trial is complete, it will nag you with a message if you double-click on an archive and actually open the program. But... you can close that message and continue using the program. If you just use Extract Here, it doesn't nag you at all.
#:* [[Image:GCCTSU winzip.png|38px]] [http://www.winzip.com/index.htm winzip] (Windows, nagware), 
#:* [[Image:GCCTSU stuffit.png|32px]] [http://my.smithmicro.com/mac/stuffit/index.html '''StuffIt Expander''']  (Mac/Windows, '''freeware''')
#:** For Mac OS, StuffIt Expander and [http://wakaba.c3.cx/s/apps/unarchiver.html The Unarchiver] handle most any archive type. For .rar files in particular, you can also use [http://unrarx.com UnRarX], a simple and efficient freeware tool.



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===Installing the tools===
Download and install the archiver program first. Everything else you do from here on out, needs you to "extract" files.
* Double-click the .exe and follow the on-screen instructions
* When you have completed installation, you'll be prompted to reboot to activate the right-click option
* When the archiver has been installed 
** the zip/rar files will be associated with the program and bear its icon
** you have a context menu when you do a ''right-click'' as shown in the pictures
* The next sections show a step-by-step illustration for 2 of these archiver tools

====7Zip====
# [[Image:DFDD 7zipDownloadpage.png|right|256px]] Download the appropriate file for your OS type and save it to your Desktop or your regular Download folder as setup above.<br clear="all" \>
# [[Image:DFDD 7zipInstall.png|right|256px]] Double-click on the downloaded '''7z???.exe''' (32-bit OS) or '''7z???.msi''' (64-bit OS) and follow the instructions in the dialog boxes to install it.<br clear="all" \>
# [[Image:DFDD 7zipContextMenu.png|right|256px]] When you've completed the installation process, you'll be prompted to restart the computer
# After a reboot, you'll get a new context menu when you right-click on a file or folder.
# If all goes well, the zip and rar files will now have icons associated with this application.

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====WinRar====

# [[Image:DFDD_winrarDownloadPage.png|right|256px]] Download the appropriate file for your OS type and save it to your Desktop or your regular Download folder as setup above.<br clear="all" \>
# [[Image:DFDD_WinRarInstall.png|right|256px]] Double-click on the downloaded '''winrar???.exe''' (32-bit OS) or '''winrar-x64-???.exe''' (64-bit OS) and follow the instructions in the dialog boxes to install it.<br clear="all" \>
# [[Image:DFDD_WinRarContextMenu.png|right|256px]] When you've completed the installation process, you'll be prompted to restart the computer
# After a reboot, you'll get a new context menu when you right-click on a file or folder.
# If all goes well, the zip and rar files will now have icons associated with this application.

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==If you are having trouble downloading...==

* If you are getting error messages when trying to download from MTS, try again in a few minutes. MTS often has more than 3000 people online, and is funded by donations, so it can be a little slow at peak times. 

* If you get a '''403''' or '''503''' error, means that you're downloading too many files at one time and are using up all the download slots. There's a limit of 3 files at a time or 3 chunks per file per downloader to give other members a chance. You'll have to wait for six hours when the server reset its caches for you to be able to download again.

* If you're still having trouble, try reading the latest [http://www.modthesims.info/forumdisplay.php?f=36 Site News] to see if there are any changes that you need to be aware of. Look for notices at the top of the page that may mention downloads being slow, intermittent, or offline.