Everytime i have installed a new expansion pack i have uninstalled everything and installed from scratch, but after doing this so many times i am sick of it.
I am doing a legacy family so obviously i dont want to lose anything.
I have 4 packs to install, Festive holiday stuff, Celebration, teen style and when it arrives the new freetime.
I understand about taking out all of my hacks and careers and backing up my C:\Documents and Settings\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2 ...folder, but by doing this what happens to my saved games, will they be lost when i install the new freetime pack as i know that files get installed in a different format so will they be compatable.
Sorry for being so thick, but i havnt done this before as i said and i dont want to lose anything i have done up to now.
thanks

You don't have to uninstall anything to add an EP or an SP. Just backup your sims2 folder. ( I back mine up to desktop. ) Your sims2 folder contains all your user data...sims, CC, neighborhoods etc. Remove all hacks/careers (make sure no sim is currently employed in that career) and install the packs and patch. Then look for updated hacks/careers for the EP's you installed.

You don't have to remove the sims2 folder..just back it up in case something goes wrong with the install. That way you have all your saved games etc. and you can plop it back in the game in the remote chance that the install might overwrite it. Some people DO remove the whole Sims2 folder before install, which is fine too. I'm quite organized and know where all my hacks are located..so I just remove those.
Relevent thread (lots of info here):
http://www.sims2wiki.info/wiki.php?..._Next_Expansion

thanks canoodle, did what you said and everything works fine, now i can do the same this weekend with freetime as it came this morning.

Glad to hear things worked out for you. Have fun with your new EP's!