Difference between revisions of "Game Help:TS3 Patching/Invalid File Error"

Revision as of 20:11, 3 January 2010

I am getting an "Invalid File Error" when I try to install the patch!

• This error is most likely caused by one of the "core" game files being overwritten or changed by a mod or yourself.
• Examples of such changed files are:
  • Ini files (custom weather and lighting)
  • Custom music
  • Changed EXE files (see last section below)

To fix this, you'll need to know which file is incorrect.

• • The following programs will be able to find exactly which file is producing the error(s) and you will be able to restore it from your back-ups (which you should have handy) or from your game itself. Download the programs here:
    • Patch 1.7/2.2 and below
      • Sims_3_Patch_Log_Viewer (.NET 2.0)
      • Sims_3_Patch_Log_Viewer (.NET 3.5)
    • Patch 1.8/2.3
      • Sims_3_Patch_Log_Viewer (.NET 3.5)

• • Don't worry, the program is made by Delphy and tested by Qbuilderz. The program will find your patch log and tell you, in a red font color at the bottom, your errors.

• After restoring whichever files that were flagged, open that TEMP path in Windows Explorer and delete the folders containing the rtpatch.log file.

Locating the "rtpatch.log" manually

• In Windows Explorer's address bar: enter "%temp%", without the quotes.
• Sort the files by date, and locate a folder with some cryptic name within braces. Eg: "{C59CB896-40E2-4004-AE7B-AD29EF181E25}". The folder names will be different everytime you run the patch.
• Drill down twice (there's another folder within this one), until you see "rtpatch.log".
• Open that in Notepad or any text editor.
• Scroll (or Press CTRL+END) to go to the end of the file.
• The last few lines will tell you the file that is causing this error.

How to restore files the patcher complains about

• Open 2 windows, and go to the "\Game\Bin\ path from each location" -
  • C: and
  • your DVD drive.
• Then just copy+paste replace the file(s) like this (if you have to do other files, just adapt the filenames as appropriate). Some files do not need renaming.
  • in the "C:\Program Files(x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\" window:
    • right-click on "Sims3Launcher.exe", select Cut
  • on your Desktop
    • right-click in an empty area on your Desktop and select Paste
    • right-click on Sims3Launcher.exe, select Rename
    • append ".orig" at the end so the filename becomes "Sims3Launcher.exe.orig"
  • in the "<DVD drive:>\Game\Bin" window:
    • select the "Sims3Launcher.ex_" file in DVD path
    • right-click, select Copy
  • back on your Desktop
    • right-click in an empty area on your Desktop and select Paste
    • right-click on "Sims3Launcher.ex_", select Rename
    • change ".ex_" at the end to ".exe"
    • select the newly renamed "Sims3Launcher.exe" file
    • right-click, select Copy
  • back in the "C:\Program Files(x86)\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\" window
    • right-click in an empty area and select Paste

Pirated Copies and No-CD Cracks

• This error can also be caused by using pirated copies, especially the pre-release version, as well as those using no-CD cracks. There is no fix for people using these illegal options, and you will need to purchase a legal copy and use the discs if you wish to patch your game.