Possible Constructo problem--update 3:good news :)

[CharlieChomper]

I started work on the newest step involving the roof when I ran into a literal game-crashing problem in trying to do the roof--as in, every time I work on it and trying to put down dormers, etc. my game has quite literally been crashing to the desktop.

It may be that my system may be having difficult with handling the demand being put upon it (and I don't think I did it many favors with all the customization and just volume of objects I did to my house...), but I will try again when I can get a chance to.

[Kiri]

Try putting an auto roof on first before swapping to manual.

Also - are you getting an error file? That is, can we tell if it's a sims program problem or an O/S problem.

Also. Try taking a copy of the house into a lot first, then load it into a game without CC. See if that helps.

[CharlieChomper]

I tried auto roof and despite the very awkward gaps in the roof, it didn't kick me out.

Also, I'm not getting an error file nor message--which has been the case anytime (at least, since about Late Night) my game has kicked me out onto the desktop (as it's not the game, itself, so much as a lack of available system resources and the game being unable to just warn me of this until a problem arises or becomes so low on available memory, I can't even exit out properly.

The only warning notice I received (and this only happened once) was a very odd one about how I'd lose all my work (this was generated on the desktop end, and with no corresponding file to go along with it) during one crash whilst working on this. However, for the most part, my screen just turns very dark and then it's usually hello desktop. It appears to be tied into my system resources (except for my video card, my computer just barely meets the requirements in some instances...). Financially-speaking, though, as much as I would love (and in some cases need...) a new computer (as my current one is already past the point of being upgradeable...), I really can't afford one--it's just well beyond my means at the present.

I'll try and make a copy of the house and the suggestion you made, though. Thanks!

[CharlieChomper]

Update:

I just tried again and was able to get part of the roof done manually, but it looks like I may be looking at doing this piece-meal (ie one roof piece at a time and careful not to rotate things if it can be avoidable--it also does not appear happy with going between floors right now either, but one thing at a time...)--however, so long as I think I can do it, I hope for this not to be a problem...

Thanks again for the suggestions!

[Kiri]

Hmmm- that does sound like a CPU problem.

My thought at this point - would be to take a copy of it, using the copy - clear the house out of all furnishing - do the roof, take the outside pictures of it. Leave the furnished house with just the basic auto roof.

I've noticed that the game still does load a lot of CC into cache - so cutting down the CC may help.

[CharlieChomper]

The only CC I really have is some items from the shop--I've had to force myself not to download custom content for Sims 3, given how hard it was for me to part with what I had for Sims 2 and even Sims 1 (as I ran out of space at one point and was forced to delete it--I couldn't believe how hard it was to let go of some of that stuff...) and the sizes of the content for this game in comparison.

However, thank you again for the suggestions!

[CharlieChomper]

I don't believe this!

I finally get the roof done and part of the siding when my game generates an error code 16. I go to rename the file to resave it, and it still refuses to save.

I then exit out and when I try to re-enter the game, I get a notice that they've been corrupted (even my copy has become corrupted!).

I appear to still have a backup file listed in my saves, but it's been so long since I've actually had to do so, I can't remember now how to go about it.

As this is also the second time I've had this happen now, I'm wondering if it's someone's way of trying to tell me something.

In the meantime, if I can't restore that backup (or if it too has become corrupted), I may need to take a break from this challenge before considering resuming it--albeit, possibly with Sims 2 instead (as I may not be able to customize it to the extent of Sims 3, but at least I can leave that game up for numerous hours without worry of anything like this happening!).

[Jessica]

How frustrating, CC!!!

In order to restore the .backup file you just have to rename it with the same extension as the usual save file, .sims3. I hope it's the backup created from your latest attempt to save!

I was having lots of Error 12s lately, but fixed it somehow. It's just so ennerving! I totally feel your pain.

[CharlieChomper]

Thanks, Jessica!

I was inspired to look into the backups and made a copy of the one I needed (just in case...) and renamed it and it worked--I now have my house back and now have my roof, the siding and most of the other details done on the outside. Now, I just need to finish work on the interior storage...

[Jessica]

Oh, that's great! I'm so happy you recovered your house! It was looking awesome.

[CharlieChomper]

Thanks!

I'm actually finished with the current step --I just need to finish taking some screenshots of it to upload.

[Moon]

Glad you worked it out.... would be so sad to lose all your work.

[Kiri]

Oh Yay!!! I'm so happy!!!