I don't know how to even start something..
I don't even know where SavedSims folder is.
And yes I have enabled CC..lol..

I'm not sure I understand what the "show custom content in catalog" button means.. I know when you go into the game you click on the button to show CC..but that is all I know..

Thank you simmer22 for your help

It means that it shows up with the regular maxis items, only with an asterisk next to it. The catalog is where you select your items.

Ok, I already know that..when I go into Body Shop or CAS I look for the asterisk's as well as the CC..

Thank you WildIrishBanshee for your help

SavedSims is in the same folder as Downloads.

It's really easy to make a Bodyshop project - here's how: http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=172166 (you can use Paint instead, to make stripes or whatever, just so you recognize the item ingame - it's really only to see if your game recognizes CAS content at all).

You can also make a sim in Bodyshop, and see if it shows in CAS. The files you make should show up in SavedSims.

Basically, you should test if your game can recognize CAS items you've made. If it can, your game is able to read files from the SavedSims folder, and something else is wrong with the rest of the items. If it can't, you still have a problem.

OMGosh..I did it..it worked..lol..not the right color but I did do it and it showed up in Body Shop and CAS..can you believe it..

If I had known it was going to be that easy I could have been doing Body Shop recolors all along..and that tutorial with pictures was awesome..

Thank you, Thank you simmer22 for that link and your help..I owe you big time..

Now what????

If that showed up in Body Shop and CAS what is going on with all my other CC's that I have been using for several years..????

Try to put a few of the CAS recolors from your Downloads folder into your SavedSims folder, and see if they show up. If they do, you at least have a workaround you can use. I'm not sure how much you can put in this folder, so try a little at a time. Some people have had troubles when putting too much in it, and I'm not sure if it reads subfolders properly - but it's better than nothing.

Meshes should still go in Downloads.

Some who only have the basegame and the older EPs have to use SavedSims for CAS items. Maybe your game has somehow reverted back to that?

Ok I tried putting those items in the SavedSims folder and went into Body Shop and CAS with no luck..I didn't have them in any folders when I put them in there..

I am going to give a few of the links to the items I have been using..for use as well as testing for this mess..

4 Medieval Dresses by PlatinumPlumbbob..this is the only dress I have in at the moment.
Butterflysims Free mesh 68 retextured by Mikexx2..I also added the mesh..with this one I used it in the past with my modern neighborhoods..don't use it in my Medieval..but I still put it in the downloads..it's the only hair I have in there at the moment.
28 Elf Eared Replacement Faces by DavidR57..have been using these for a very long time..

In each of these items in the past I have never had any problems with them..these are the ONLY things I have in my Downloads folder..I figure if these don't show up what is the since in downloading anymore..

Thank you simmer22 for your help

I'm not sure what's going on with your game, to be honest.
Maybe try some of the tricks here:
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:GCCTSU3
http://simswiki.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:GCCTSU13
(they're not updated for the UC, but the principles are the same, even if the file paths aren't - but you probably already know which folders you need to use)

Well simmer 22..nothing worked there..as a matter of fact my Recolor that I did, didn't even show up this time around..

I went and did both of those things from each link you gave me..

I think EA/Origin is ignoring me this time around..and just about had it...

Thank you so much simmer 22 for all your help..

some chance of the problem relating to the computer's operating system.
compatibility mode or a virtual computer might be 2 ways to test that.

to get to compatibility mode::
1. right click on desktop's icon.
2. select "Properties".
3. click on "Compatibility" tab.
4. test various combinations of settings.

not sure where virtual computers could be downloaded. an internet search with "virtual computer" as search term might find them.

Just a wild guess but...do you run any antivirus software at the same time as the game? That can sometimes do some really wonky stuff.

Adding to mdsb759's suggestion, ticking the "run as administrator" (if you're the admin user on your computer, that is) might help. Doesn't hurt to try. It's also under 'properties --> compatibility'.

I have the Compatibility up and put a check mark "run this program in compatibility mode for:"
all it is showing is:
Windows XP (Service Pack 2)
Windows 95
Windows 98/Windows Me
Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 5)
Windows 2000
Windows Server 2003 (Service Pack 1)

I have a 2008 Windows Vista

Which one of these should I use

I have run it though the Administrator with the game as well as through Origin

I have tried it with and without the antivirus on and off..

Usually XP is a good bet, but sometimes you have to try a few.

Tried that didn't work..

I guess if I want to play..will have to settle on maxis hair, clothes, skintones, eyes, ears..and all that..but at least I will be able to play with CC otherwise..thought I was over crying but I guess I'm not yet..

Thank you simmer22 for your help I really appreciate it..

Have you tried using default replacement textures for skins and eyes? There's a possibility those might work. Technically, the default replacement faces should have worked (don't be fooled by the thumbnails if they don't change - they don't always do unless you delete the thumbnail files).

Recategorizers and such might also work, if they're the kind you have to place in the install files.

Bloom at Insim once said that making a folder named "Defaults" in the "The Sims 2 ..." folder could help if default replacements didn't show up, but I never tried it so I don't know if it worked. There's always a possibility.

It has been awhile and I tried to get on Insimanator.com or however that is spelled it looks like they are down..anyway I have been using Enayla pixie skins and eyes a while now..I just love them..haven't tried downloading them..since this mess..

Have a question I'm not sure what you mean by "default replacement textures for skins and eyes???"

Also what do you mean by the thumbnails..??

I do have a default folder usually..haven't put one in since this mess..

Thank you simmer22 for your help

________

I think I am going to try something different when downloading and placing them..let me know if I should try this before I do it..
This is in the install instructions here at MTS

Basic Download and Install Instructions:

1. Download: Click the download link to save the .rar or .zip file(s) to your computer.

2. Extract: Use WinRAR (Windows) or Stuffit (Mac) to extract the .package file(s) from the .rar or .zip file(s).

3. Place in Downloads Folder: Cut and paste the .package file(s) into your Downloads folder:

Windows XP: Documents and Settings\(Current User Account)\My Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads\
Windows Vista/7/8: Users\(Current User Account)\Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads\
Mac: Users\(Current User Account)\Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2\Downloads\


-or-

4. Place in Program Files: Cut and paste the .package file(s) into your appropriate Install folder:

Windows XP: C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 (Your Latest EP)\TSData\Res\Catalog\Bins
Windows Vista/7/8: C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 (Your Latest EP)\TSData\Res\Catalog\Bins
Windows Vista/7/8: C:\Program Files(x86)\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 (Your Latest EP)\TSData\Res\Catalog\Bins
Origin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection\Fun with Pets\SP9\TSData\Res\Catalog\Bins
Mac: APPLICATIONS FOLDER -> THE SIMS 2 -> TSDATA -> RES -> CATALOG

I figured I might try #4..before I do anything I want to be sure..

I'm not sure if regular downloads will be read by the game if in Program Files (I haven't tried), but you can probably try with a few files and see if it works. Some recategorizers and a small number of other files sometimes go into this directory so they behave properly ingame (I've tried this, but only if the creator said their files should be placed there).

Thumbnail folder is in "Users\(Current User Account)\Documents\EA Games\The Sims 2 (UC folder!) \Thumbnails - they save a tiny thumbnail of everything in the catalog to speed up loading. Deleting them is safe, but the game might spend some time loading new thumbnails the next time you play.

"default replacement textures for skins and eyes" is what it says - replacement textures for the maxis skins and eyes. They replace the originals on all sims, and can safely be changed without causing any weirdness. They look like CC items, but behave like the regular maxis skins and eyes. I've used them almost since I started playing.

So are you saying that I shouldn't try putting the downloads in Origin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection\Fun with Pets\SP9\TSData\Res\Catalog\Bins

I just realized that I don't have a Program Files (x86) neither I or EA/Origin could find one

I might have this mess fixed..someone over at Cherry Blossom Sims is going to work on something and try and fix it..Keep fingers, toes and eyes crossed everyone hope it works..

Also wanted to thank everyone for all your patients, hard work, and help in my rants and raves to get this mess fixed.. :D

Good luck! The danger with putting CC into the program files if I remember correctly is they don't show up with an asterisk. There may be more, but that's all I can think of!

Thank you WildIrishBanshee..the way this person talks she had helped others out with the same thing before and she seems to know what she is talking about..so will have to trust her on this..

If you figure it out, it would be helpful to post it here, in case others have the same problem

I don't think Vista has "Program Files (x86)" but it has some form of "Program Files", so use the one where you find the folder with the game in.

Thank you simmer22 for that info..been worried about not having the Program Files (x86) so glad that Vista don't have them lol in a way.. I'm just waiting for that lady to come online..she lives in Australia..I hope she can fix it..

Someone was going to help me with these..she said she knows how to fix the problem for not seeing the CC in body shop and CAS..but haven't heard from her since..so was wondering if anyone know what to do with these..I would love the help..just about in tears again..EA/Origin has been deleting my posts and Britton Green has been ignoring my emails and calls..3 weeks now..I know real live is more important and things come up..but 2 places is better than one if anyone knows what she was going to do with these..

Thank you in advance for your help

Log generated on 7/19/2016, 12:48

=== Application info ===
Name: The Sims 2 EP9
Version: 1.17.0.66
Build: ReleaseSRT
=== Machine info ===
OS version: Windows NT 6.0
CPU: 3094Mhz, Name:AuthenticAMD, FPU:1, MMX:1
Memory: 1920MB
Free memory: 860MB
User: Broomhilda
Computer: BROOMHILDA-PC
=== Sound device info ===
Name: Unknown
Driver: Unknown
=== Graphics device info ===
Number: 0
Name (driver): NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
Name (database): GeForce 6100 nForce 430
Vendor: NVIDIA
Chipset: Vendor: 10de, Device: 03d0, Board: 2a5b103c, Chipset: 00a2
Driver: nvd3dum.dll, Version: 7.15.11.7568, GUID: D7B71E3E-4090-11CF-1C6E-500A02C2CA35
Driver version: 7568
Monitor: \\.\DISPLAY1
Monitor aspect: 1.597484, <>
Screen mode: 1440x900x32BPP,60Hz
Texture memory: 824MB
HW T&L: Fixed function:1 Programmable:3.0
Pixel program: 3.0
Texture stages: 8
AppControlledAA: 1

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