View source for Game Help:Making your Objects.package file Read-Only

==<span style="color:#008000">Introduction</span>==
The Sims 2 uses several important files when executing the game for it's users. One of such files is called the '''''objects.package'''''. This file contains many items used by the game to create your Sim's world. Such items include:
:* Buy Mode (Catalog) objects
:* Build Mode (Construction) objects
:* NPC Sims & Templates
:* Career files
:* Clothing & Accessories
:* Tokens
:* Social Interactions
:* User Interface Designs
:::AND more.

These items are accessed by the game when needed, whether it would be for placing objects on your lot, creating new Sims, etc. Sometimes the game calls upon certain special objects (namely NPCs) in the file to play in your Sim's world temporarily, such as the Grim Reaper coming to take away a deceased Sim. The file also contains some incomplete objects that the game doesn't use nor access. This article will briefly explain the importance of protecting your '''''objects.package''''' file, & how to do so in the various operating systems that can play The Sims 2.


==<span style="color:#008000">Importance of the '''''objects.package''''' files</span>==
The Sims 2 is a game that contains numerous bugs & glitches, with many actions that can corrupt your game. EA/Maxis has not fixed the actions described in the following article on how to [[Avoiding Hood Corruption | Avoid Neighborhood Corruption]].

The '''''objects.package''''' file is accessed by the game & shared by all neighborhoods. One issue from game corruption stems from any modification made to this file while playing your game or by performing any saved changes to it via SimPE or other programs. Whereas many actions can cause corruption to your current neighborhood's associated folder, some specific actions can cause corruption to your entire game's installation files. Changes made to the '''''objects.package''''' can be irreversible & will effect current & future neighborhoods being played or created.

Solutions to avoid changes to the '''''objects.package''''' file include:
:* Setting each of your game's installations folder's '''''objects.package''''' files to Read-Only (Unmodifiable) status.
:* By retaining backup copies of each folder's '''''objects.package''''' file.

By setting each of the '''''objects.package''''' files to read-only, you ensure that all neighborhoods that share this file will be treated with the same information, without anything modified to change future playings. Specifically, you will ensure that no custom data created for one neighborhood will effect data in your other neighborhoods due to any sharing done via the '''''objects.package''''' file.
Protecting the file is not the only thing needed to prevent corruption of your neighborhood or game installations. Other preventative actions should be taken, as described in the article about [[Avoiding Hood Corruption | Avoid Neighborhood Corruption]].

Note that using modifications or hacks by skilled programmers, after setting your '''''objects.package''''' file to read-only, are not meant to change the game's installation files. Rather, those modifications are meant to temporarily override (or temporarily compliment) the commands given by the game during playings. Such hacks can benefit players & some are highly recommended to prevent neighborhood corruption.


==<span style="color:#008000">Backing up your game's '''''objects.package''''' file</span>==
These files are located, most typically, in the directories of the following operating systems as found on a '''US English''' game setup. You may wish to make a backup of each folder for future reference, in case any of these files do get corrupt. This directory list also contains the date of creation for each file, & the dates they were modified, signifying the latest patches' date. In general, anything modified after the latest dates for each '''''objects.package''''' file is a sign of corruption. This does not apply to ''Accessed'' dates. Later dates for that attribute are normal.
:'''''Windows (32-bit operating systems)'''''
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 --- Creation Date: Friday, February 25, 2005, Modified Date: October 25, 2005'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Nightlife --- Creation Date: August 17, 2005, Modified Date: January 17, 2006'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Nightlife\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 University --- Creation Date: Monday, October 31, 2005, Modified Date: October 31, 2005'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 University\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Open For Business --- Creation Date: February 06, 2006, Modified Date: May 25, 2006'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Open For Business\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff --- Creation Date: March 16, 2006, Modified Date: May 25, 2006'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff --- Creation Date: July 21, 2006, Modified Date: July 21, 2006'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Glamour Life Stuff\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Pets --- Creation Date: September 08, 2006, Modified Date: March 12, 2007'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Pets\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Seasons --- Creation Date: January 25, 2007, Modified Date: June 13, 2007'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Seasons\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Celebration! Stuff --- Creation Date: March 02, 2007, Modified Date: March 02, 2007'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Celebration! Stuff\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 H&M® Fashion Stuff --- Creation Date: May 14, 2007, Modified Date: May 14, 2007'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 H&M® Fashion Stuff\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Bon Voyage --- Creation Date: August 04, 2007, Modified Date: January 31, 2008'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Bon Voyage\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Teen Style Stuff --- Creation Date: October 02, 2007, Modified Date: October 02, 2007'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Teen Style Stuff\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 FreeTime --- Creation Date: January 11, 2008, Modified Date: June 10, 2008'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 FreeTime\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff --- Creation Date: March 11, 2008, Modified Date: March 11, 2008'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 The Sims 2 IKEA® Home Stuff --- Creation Date: May 27, 2008, Modified Date: May 27, 2008'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 IKEA® Home Stuff\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Apartment Life --- Creation Date: July 26, 2008, Modified Date: October 9, 2008'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Apartment Life\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package
::*<span style="color:#088888">'''The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff --- Creation Date: October 11, 2008, Modified Date: October 11, 2008'''</span>
::::C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff\TSData\Res\Objects\objects.package

:'''''Windows (64-bit operating systems)'''''
::All ''C:\Program Files\...'' directories above are to be renamed ''C:\Program Files (x86)\...''


==<span style="color:#008000">Setting the '''''objects.package''''' file to Read-only status</span>==
The following are steps to set your files to Read-Only status. It is recommended to log in as an Administrator (or a User with high-level authorities) to make sure you can modify the status of the files.

*'''''Windows XP'''''
::Step 1: Find the '''''objects.package''''' file in the chosen directory.
::Step 2: Right-click the file, & choose ''Properties''.
::Step 3: Choose the ''General'' tab in the window (if not already chosen).
::Step 4: Find the section on ''Attributes'' on the bottom of the window.
::Step 5: Click the white box to select the ''Read-only'' option.
::Step 6: Verify that the ''Read-only'' option is selected with a solid black check-mark.
::Step 7: Click ''OK''.
:::The window will close & the '''''objects.package''''' file will be safe from modification. It is recommended to review the file again by choosing ''Properties'' & verifying that the ''Read-only'' status remains check-marked in the box.


==<span style="color:#008000">Disclaimer</span>==
'''This article is a work-in-progress. Basic information has been written here. More information is requested to be added in the future.'''