Hi there everyone!

I've very recently switched over to Windows 7 (clean install, not upgrade), and decided to pick up the Sims 2 again. I installed the Sims 2 Double Deluxe, all of the expansion packs except for Apartment Life, and Family Fun Stuff. I also had quite a bit of Custom Content, the majority of which came from this very site.

The problem came the next day when I turned on the computer (it's a desktop, dual core 2g of RAM, 1TB hard drive, etc.) and it tells me this:

"Windows did not shut down properly, choose how to proceed"
Knowing I shut the computer off properly the night before, I chose to start windows normally. Then it complains that:

"Your system was unable to start, beginning System Repair something-or-other, please be patient."

Today, after a 4th total hard drive format and complete reinstall of Windows 7, I put up this post before even attempting to install the Sims 2.
So, is this a Sims 2 issue? A Custom Content issue? Or..a Windows 7 issue?

NOTE: All virus scans using AVAST came back clean.

This isn't caused by Sims 2, or by Sims 2 CC. Neither has the ability to corrupt your Windows installation.

Did system repair say what the cause of the problem was?

Today saw drive format and Windows 7 re-install. I turned the computer on...and did not have Sims game installed (so glad you said that whiterider, my hubby and computer guy were convinced it was a virus in some CC I had downloaded) ...AND System Repair starts immediately as the "system could not start". The kicker comes when the repair searches for a reason, restarts a few times, then reboots the computer...continually. So far, the only way around is to erase the hard drive and re-install the operating system...and NOT to turn the computer off at night.

I'm so relieved to know my beloved game isn't responsible...but now comes the question of WTF is really going on!!

I did have problems with a faulty SATA cable, it was very loose and the computer wouldn't recognize the hard drive at all...I've since replace that cable. Is it possible that the faulty cable somehow damaged the hard drive and therefore it keeps repeating the system repair when the computer tries to start up? There's no issue at all with rebooting the system, only starting it up after it's been shutdown.

Sorry if this went in the wrong place, but I needed to know it wasn't my game.

probably a virus, try contacting your local computer shop, they should be able to help you out.

It's unlikely. A virus would not survive a proper hard disk wipe, unless it's being stored on some other media - you should, certainly, try using the drive with all other media disconnected (which you should do anyway, in fact). Checkdisks and all that lovely stuff also sound like they're in order.

Update: Well, a friend of mine gave me a program called Hard Disk Sentinel or Drive Sentinel...anyway, after a quick scan it came back telling me that:

The comp had been using this specific HDD for 49 days; it's currently operating at 10%, and I have approximately 10 days before the drive just curls up and dies. I am wondering if the loose SATA cable issue I had did some major damage to the drive itself, as the program also mentioned several hundred bad sectors with bad files, etc., etc.

Whiterider, my sincere thanks to you for your help. Now I just need to replace the HDD and the problem should be solved. *crossing fingers*