Ever since I installed University, the game crashes when I try to upload certain lots to the Exchange or even package them to files. I haven't done an extensive test, but it seems like any lot that's bigger than "small" causes the game to crash. There are custom walls and floors (my own) in the lots, but no other custom content and no hacks. I've updated my drivers, my computer runs the game perfectly at the highest settings (except for that stupid Goth house), etc. I can't figure out anything that could be causing this, and since the only error I get is that lovely "This application has crashed. This application will now be terminated." box, I don't know where to start looking. Does anyone else have this problem? Better yet, does anyone know how to fix it?

Solved: It's terrain paint. A random amount of unused custom terrain paint is packaging itself with the lot. I did use some terrain paint original to the game in the lot. Maybe every paint that was cloned from that thinks it goes with the lot as well, or something. From now on, I'll build in a clean game as well as upload in one. But I didn't expect terrain paint to cause this kind of thing. Weird.

Maybe this should be added to the help FAQ. I know I'm not the only person who's experienced it.

I just did a search here for this very problem, and found your post.
Thanks so much! I thought it was just me!
However, how do you prevent it from happening? I don't understand what you mean about building in a clean game?

OK, here's what I used to do: build lots in a game that still had all my downloads in it. Remove my downloads folder except for the subfolder that contained the walls and floors I personally had created, so all my downloads didn't get distributed everywhere. Package/ upload.

However, since University, this doesn't work, because of the terrain paint problem. So I changed the order I do things in. First, remove the downloads folder except for the subfolder containing my walls and floors. Then, build the lot and package/ upload. Then put the entire downloads folder back when I want to play.

So, when I'm playing the game, My Documents/Sims 2/Downloads has this in it: all the skins, clothes etc. in the main folder. Then, everything else separated into subfolders depending on where I got it from. My walls and floors are moved with Clean Installer into a "My walls and floors" subfolder.

When I'm building in the game, the only thing in my Downloads folder is the "My walls and floors" subfolder. Terrain paint that I've made often still gets distributed with lots even when it's not being used, which is a bit of a pain, but I know that I'm not uploading anything from anyone who has issues with other people uploading their stuff. And, of course, not distributing hacks either.

Removing everything in the Downloads folder while you're making things also makes Bodyshop and Homecrafter load a lot faster. It also makes checking how things work in the game much faster as well.

Ah, I get it. I'll try that out! Of course, since nothing ever seems to be straightforward forme I'll have to add a few extra steps, LOL!
See, I build in Sims 2 on my laptop, which I never connect to the net, then I package to a file, transfer on to my desktop where the kids have University installed, and upload to the Exchange from there. But I understand what you mean, and I'll be able to make it all work now! Thanks!

...And am I really sad, or is messing about with files, packages and downloading even more fun than playing the actual game?? ;-)

Well, I think building lots and making recolors and stuff is more fun than playing the game .

I noticed this prob also however it sure seems lately that I'm doing more "a fixin than a playin" know what I mean? I wanted to package my lots in hopes of maybe changing over to another neighborhood (I found a new neighborhood I liked better but I've already done so much work on this other) It just all seems like so much work, I guess with this game ya better get use to it, right? I guess my idea of moving into another neighborhood with all my time an effort isn't a good idea unless I want to stay up all night fixin once again, haha!!

Doomangel, if all you want to do is change neighbourhoods, I think all you need to do is move the house into the lots and houses bin?