Hi all.
Yesterday I bought "The Sims 2", the DVD version (1 cd only).
The software i bought is original.
I installed it, with no problems, but when i try to launch it, a message appears, saying that i should insert the right CD and to click OK.
But there's only 1 cd in the pack!!!
It's like a crack-error... but the game is original.
So, i tried to reinstall it, but it's the same thing.
I have all requisits for the game, so I don't know how to do!
Is it a software-problem? Should I give it back to the shop?

(the DVD version has got a kind of expansion, of second game: "Body Shop".
It works correctly, but not the main game!)

Thank you very much for your advices... and sorry for my English ^^

Ensure that the disc you bought is an Installation disc and not an expansion (as you mention). You will obviously need a game installed before any expansion packs.

Ensure that the disc you bought is genuine. If it is and won't install, take it back and ask for an exchange.

If it still won't install, it may be something in your registry. Have you previously used a different 'copy' of the Sims on your PC?

I'm sure that the cd isn't an expansion, and I'm sure that it's genuine!
I can install it, but I can't just play...

About the last option, I think it's the right way, because before this original software, I tried to install another one... without success.
I think there is something on the pc of that 'copy' (also if I think I deleted all files of that one) that is still on the pc and doesn't let me start the game.

(I think it because, now that I think on it, I had the same problem with Warcraft: I installed a copy version, and when I tried to install an original one, it said me to insert the right cd...)

So, how can I do?

Thank you very much.

Can we clarify something is this the CD game or the DVD? As you have mentioned both media in the first post and this can cause confusion.

Now I have looked around at a few online suppliers and they are showing only a DVD version of the first game, expansions are on CD. If it is the csae that the original SIMs 2 only comes on DVD I have to ask. What colour is the readable side of the disc?

Sorry about the confusion... I always meant DVD.
I have only 1 DVD of the base software "The Sims 2".
(I have also the CD of nightlife, but it's still in the pack).

The disc is blue.

Not silver? That sounds like you have bought a dodgey copy to me. Though it should be a purpley colour. I will have to see if I can get a look at the readable side of the SIMs disc while I am out shopping tomorrow.

I don't know what the policy is for the manufacturers of the SIMs but you may be able to get a replacement copy if you have the reciept from where you bought it and are awilling to contact them and make a report. MS does this on a case by case basis where the person has unwittingly bought pirated software. Though if you if you bought it in a flea market/Sunday market/car boot you may not get any help at all.

on my disk the reading side is silver, and the other side is blue.......

Ah. Which side were you looking at Ivoos? If the reading side is silver then it may be a duff disc and you should be able to get it replaced where you bought it.

The reading side is silver, the other one si blue.
Don't worry about change it with another one at the store, I could, but I think it's not that the problem... :'(

I think the problem is about what James4eva was saying about something on my registry... read up the message #3

Which files can I try to delete, or what can I do?

have you got emulation on your pc? like daemon tools?

Yes!!!
Does it make problems?

(What is the use of it??! xD) Have I to uninstall it?

can cause problems... sims 2 checks for emulation because it like to be a little ba*tard.. and make sure you are not playing the disk without the cd, or using the original. Try un-installing it.. might solve your problem.

Ok, I uninstalled it, but no changes.
What are other programs like that, that can cause problems?

(To try, I just downloaded another file .exe of the sims2. When I try to launch the program with it, it says (with an error message) that there are softwares of emulation cd/dvd, and that I have to disactive them, and to restart the game!!!)
Which are the emulation softwares?

*Thank u very much*

emulation is a virtual drive. this means that you can mount an image of a game/dvd/cd and play it without the disk. However some games (like the sims 2) dont let you do that, and just to make sure checks for virtual drives before it will start.

Oh ok, I have understood.
Now I deleted also another program called "cdclone" or something like that, and also the second file exe tells me the same message as the first one: "insert the right DVD-ROM, select "OK" and restard the application."

(I searched about it on the web, and I found a girl who has the same problem, but her DVD isn't original!!! A boy wrote to help her, and explained that she has to paste the file "crack" of her DVD in a "handle" (i don't know if it's the right english word xD) in "Programs".
So, do u know where can I find the crack-file?
Or how can I say to my pc that the DVD is original... xD

im afraid we cant. even if your cd is an original, we cant tell you where to get cracks from. its probably a disk error. take it back to the shop and have it exchanged.

Oh ok, don't worry. Thanks however, for your help

(I'm thinking about to turn around the problem: if it can't read the dvd, are there any ways to play without disk???)

The reply have gave you applies to your question.

Ok, now I can play with the sims 2.
Thank you so much for your help.

(another question: do you know what can cause "suddenly crashes" while I'm playing? xD )

What are your system specs?

I have Windows XP, and video card: ATI Radeon 9200 SE (128Mb).
When I play, all goes well, but after about 2 minutes, the pc stops to work, and I can't do anything else that to restart the pc!
Do you know why?

Up... can it be a hardware problem?