Hey everybody!
So I never really post here, although I frequently submerge in threads painstakingly looking for answers when my TS3 is bringing me trouble (and as a Mac user with OS El Capitan, man has it brought me headaches!!). So I figured I'd post a simple fix to the "game disc not found/ please insert game disc before proceeding problem", in case any other doofus like myself have experienced troubles with this (and hasn't really found a proper step-by-step guide to surely remedy the problem).
Here's the goal for this solution: You don't wanna use your discs to load and play the game because, as the title suggests, you get these error messages when you try to launch the game: "No game disc found" or "Please insert XXX game disc before proceeding" (XXX= the game disc that is of latest release date NB: Not the latest you installed, but the one that was latest released). If you go through with this solution you'll launch the game via Origin instead. You will NOT loose any of your previously saved games or content (unless you wish to make a complete clean reinstall, ofc). Before you start all this, do a back up! You can never be careful enough.
How it turned out for me: No more problems starting the game, everything purrrrs like a kitten (Perhaps I should check my fan?). My game is EXACTLY as it used to be before, given the exception that I do not need a disc to start the game and thus do not get the dreaded error messages any more.
1. First of all, save your game folder so you can continue playing later as if nothing happened. (Skip this step if you wish to make a clean re-install). Go to Finder -> Documents -> Electronic Arts. Here you'll see a folder named "The Sims 3". Copy this folder (DO NOT CUT) and put it, for example, on your desktop. The copying will take a couple of minutes, patience is advised (something I personally often lack in).
--> Side note! If you haven't added any extra worlds (e.g. Sunlit Tides or the like) you apparently only need the "Saved" folder and not the entire "The Sims 3" folder. Have a look at this link where TS3 and Mac gurus discuss this: ---> A frick! Im not allowed to post links yet, well fine. Ill see if I can provide it in comments or something. Basically google "complete re-install on a Mac" and look for a Carl's-the-sims4 link.
--> Side note 2! Something I want to draw your attention to in case you simply do not have the patience to read the whole thread (as I have done, multiple times) that I linked to in my previous side note (or well frankly, since I cannot link it I will draw you attention to it because well, Im not allowed to post links): One of the commentators provides this bit of useful knowledge: "Edit: I also saved this file before the uninstall (located in The Sims 3 folder) userPresets.package
I put this file back in Electronic Arts, The Sims 3 folder. This file saves all the custom hair colors and custom color patterns."
2. Open Origin (or download it if you do not have it). Sign in with your EA account (same as the one you used when you/if you registered your games). Go to the tab My Games -> Hover over the TS3 game you see here and click the icon "i" as a little box appears. You will now see all EPs and SPs for TS3, those you have purchased and those you havent. The ones you have purchased and that are registered with Origin will be in bright color, the others in some sort of dim grey-ish coloring-scheme thing. If all of your EPs and SPs you have purchased are registered via Origin YEY, you are ready for step 3. If not! Read further on step 2.
2.1: So you notice that some of your EPs/SPs arent registered on Origin although you have bought them? (And perhaps you've been playing with them). Look at the top drop-down menus and click Games -> Redeem Code. Here you fill in the registration codes of all your EPs and SPs and voila! They become brightly colored, aka, registered in Origin. You need to do this so you can download the digital versions of the game at the end of this guide (instead of playing your "disc version(s)").
2.2: Are you missing a registration code because man, you bought one of the EPs/SPs online but dang it (!) now you cant seem to find it anywhere?! Dont worry, the Internet is filled with your brethren and sisters. Unfortunately EA has gone berserk here for apparently no reason and these reg. codes can NOT easily be found via Origin (actually to my knowledge, they cant be found at all). Simply contact EA help desk via this link: ----> again I'm not allowed to post links, so google "EA Help desk" or something similar and youll find it easy enough.
I chatted with a helpful person and after only 20 minutes I had all my codes (mild sarcasm upon operative word: only). Make sure you ask for all of your registration codes for every single downloaded EP and SP you have! E.g. I dowloaded Supernatural and Seasons via Origin, and so I asked for both "in one sitting".
3. Now! Your Origin is all set up! Now we come to the uninstall-step. (If you wanna keep your saved games check step 1!!). On a Mac you do not need to uninstall all the TS3 games through the uninstaller, but instead youll make use of your Trash (lovely, aint it? Finally something that goes quickly!), you simply go to Finder -> Applications and take the whole "The Sims 3" folder and move it to your Trash! Do the same going to Finder -> Documents and delete the "Electronic Arts" folder. Bazingaa!
If you are unsure about whether you should use the uninstaller or not and simply feel that taking my word for it is a bit crass, I again provide you with this link: ----> Oh but I dont, because Im not allowed. This is the same link as one Ive mentioned earlier, so google: "complete re-install on a Mac" and look for a Carl's-the-sims4 link.
This is where I go the idea/understood that indeed i didnt need to use the uninstaller, upon which I also didnt, and everything has worked perfectly for me.
4. Now we're gonna download the digital versions of the game and the EPs/SPs (installing them comes in step 5).
NB and perhaps first of all: DO NOT HAVE A THE SIMS 3 DISC IN YOUR COMPUTER NOW. Don't at all actually for any of these steps, but absolutely do not right now.
Okay, okay, back to step 4: Open up Origin. Go to the "My Games" tab and hover over the TS3 game symbol. A box will appear and it should allow you to click "Download". Indeed do this. My Origin now noticed that "WOOOO there are a bunch of games here that you haven't downloaded" (all the EPs and SPs) "you crazy human" (me), so I just clicked the equivalent of "yep, please do so" and I got a long queue of downloads that took pretty long to get through. You might have to do one after the other by manually clicking download, or Origin will prompt the same upon you as it did me, either way - it doesn't matter, just download everything. This is NOT the same as installing so don't be too worried about the order of downloads, that's something I'd keep an eye on though in the next step.
5. Everything is downloaded and now is the time to install!! WEEI! (This is the step when I noticed that well plum, Registration codes for my downloaded EPs? Not on Origin, and so happy camper me contacted EA.)
Order of release for all TS3 games:
1. The Sims 3
2. The Sims 3: World Adventures
3. The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff
4. The Sims 3: Ambitions
5. The Sims 3: Fast Lane Stuff
6. The Sims 3: Late Night
7. The Sims 3: Outdoor Living Stuff
8. The Sims 3: Generations (May 31, 2011)
9. The Sims 3: Town Life Stuff
10. The Sims 3: Pets
11. The Sims 3: Master Suite
12. The Sims 3: Showtime
13. The Sims 3: Katy Perry's Sweet Treats Stuff
14. The Sims 3: Diesel Stuff
15. The Sims 3: Supernatural
16. The Sims 3: Seasons
17. The Sims 3: 70's, 80's & 90's Stuff
18. The Sims 3: University Life
19. The Sims 3: Island Paradise
20. The Sims 3: Movie Stuff
21. The Sims 3: Into the Future
Install them in order of release (not in the order you bought them), although perhaps it actually doesn't matter in what order the EPs and SPs are installed, I did it in release- date- order just because well... Just because back in the days it used to be better to do that, and perhaps Im getting old but better safe then sorry. Anyways! As you install the base game and each of the EPs/SPs you'll be prompted to fill in the registration codes. You NEED the registration codes for this step.
6. Everything is installed! WOHOO! What now? Close Origin. Reboot computer ( Documents. When you have opened the game so that the TS3 launcher opens (as an external application from Origin) you WILL get an Electronic Arts folder in Finder -> Documents.
7. Now for your saved data! Personally I copied my whole "The Sims 3" folder so this is what I wanted to slither into my game again. I copied my old "The Sims 3" folder with my saved games from my desktop and pasted it in the new Finder -> Documents -> Electronic Arts folder. The old and saved folder then ends up right with the newly sprung "The Sims 3" folder that do not hold any saved games. I got some options provided by computer here: to replace, or to merge the files (since they're names the exact same thing, aka, "The Sims 3"). I chose MERGE. This merging thing takes a couple of minutes. Basically what my lovely computer told me was that there were some differences in patches or whatna and so some files differed in between my two "The Sims 3" folders (besides all my saved files, as I understood it) so I MERGED happily.
8. So what now? Are we done? WE ARE DONE!! I closed the launcher and re-opened it again after I merged my "The Sims 3" folders because I'm a nut job and I live by one motto: "reboot, always reboot" (it seems, anyways). Launching your game now should run smoothly, no disc should be prompted for, but your game should otherwise be COMPLETELY UNTOUCHED.
9. Peace out fellas! And happy simming!
Xoxo
So I never really post here, although I frequently submerge in threads painstakingly looking for answers when my TS3 is bringing me trouble (and as a Mac user with OS El Capitan, man has it brought me headaches!!). So I figured I'd post a simple fix to the "game disc not found/ please insert game disc before proceeding problem", in case any other doofus like myself have experienced troubles with this (and hasn't really found a proper step-by-step guide to surely remedy the problem).
Here's the goal for this solution: You don't wanna use your discs to load and play the game because, as the title suggests, you get these error messages when you try to launch the game: "No game disc found" or "Please insert XXX game disc before proceeding" (XXX= the game disc that is of latest release date NB: Not the latest you installed, but the one that was latest released). If you go through with this solution you'll launch the game via Origin instead. You will NOT loose any of your previously saved games or content (unless you wish to make a complete clean reinstall, ofc). Before you start all this, do a back up! You can never be careful enough.
How it turned out for me: No more problems starting the game, everything purrrrs like a kitten (Perhaps I should check my fan?). My game is EXACTLY as it used to be before, given the exception that I do not need a disc to start the game and thus do not get the dreaded error messages any more.
1. First of all, save your game folder so you can continue playing later as if nothing happened. (Skip this step if you wish to make a clean re-install). Go to Finder -> Documents -> Electronic Arts. Here you'll see a folder named "The Sims 3". Copy this folder (DO NOT CUT) and put it, for example, on your desktop. The copying will take a couple of minutes, patience is advised (something I personally often lack in).
--> Side note! If you haven't added any extra worlds (e.g. Sunlit Tides or the like) you apparently only need the "Saved" folder and not the entire "The Sims 3" folder. Have a look at this link where TS3 and Mac gurus discuss this: ---> A frick! Im not allowed to post links yet, well fine. Ill see if I can provide it in comments or something. Basically google "complete re-install on a Mac" and look for a Carl's-the-sims4 link.
--> Side note 2! Something I want to draw your attention to in case you simply do not have the patience to read the whole thread (as I have done, multiple times) that I linked to in my previous side note (or well frankly, since I cannot link it I will draw you attention to it because well, Im not allowed to post links): One of the commentators provides this bit of useful knowledge: "Edit: I also saved this file before the uninstall (located in The Sims 3 folder) userPresets.package
I put this file back in Electronic Arts, The Sims 3 folder. This file saves all the custom hair colors and custom color patterns."
2. Open Origin (or download it if you do not have it). Sign in with your EA account (same as the one you used when you/if you registered your games). Go to the tab My Games -> Hover over the TS3 game you see here and click the icon "i" as a little box appears. You will now see all EPs and SPs for TS3, those you have purchased and those you havent. The ones you have purchased and that are registered with Origin will be in bright color, the others in some sort of dim grey-ish coloring-scheme thing. If all of your EPs and SPs you have purchased are registered via Origin YEY, you are ready for step 3. If not! Read further on step 2.
2.1: So you notice that some of your EPs/SPs arent registered on Origin although you have bought them? (And perhaps you've been playing with them). Look at the top drop-down menus and click Games -> Redeem Code. Here you fill in the registration codes of all your EPs and SPs and voila! They become brightly colored, aka, registered in Origin. You need to do this so you can download the digital versions of the game at the end of this guide (instead of playing your "disc version(s)").
2.2: Are you missing a registration code because man, you bought one of the EPs/SPs online but dang it (!) now you cant seem to find it anywhere?! Dont worry, the Internet is filled with your brethren and sisters. Unfortunately EA has gone berserk here for apparently no reason and these reg. codes can NOT easily be found via Origin (actually to my knowledge, they cant be found at all). Simply contact EA help desk via this link: ----> again I'm not allowed to post links, so google "EA Help desk" or something similar and youll find it easy enough.
I chatted with a helpful person and after only 20 minutes I had all my codes (mild sarcasm upon operative word: only). Make sure you ask for all of your registration codes for every single downloaded EP and SP you have! E.g. I dowloaded Supernatural and Seasons via Origin, and so I asked for both "in one sitting".
3. Now! Your Origin is all set up! Now we come to the uninstall-step. (If you wanna keep your saved games check step 1!!). On a Mac you do not need to uninstall all the TS3 games through the uninstaller, but instead youll make use of your Trash (lovely, aint it? Finally something that goes quickly!), you simply go to Finder -> Applications and take the whole "The Sims 3" folder and move it to your Trash! Do the same going to Finder -> Documents and delete the "Electronic Arts" folder. Bazingaa!
If you are unsure about whether you should use the uninstaller or not and simply feel that taking my word for it is a bit crass, I again provide you with this link: ----> Oh but I dont, because Im not allowed. This is the same link as one Ive mentioned earlier, so google: "complete re-install on a Mac" and look for a Carl's-the-sims4 link.
This is where I go the idea/understood that indeed i didnt need to use the uninstaller, upon which I also didnt, and everything has worked perfectly for me.
4. Now we're gonna download the digital versions of the game and the EPs/SPs (installing them comes in step 5).
NB and perhaps first of all: DO NOT HAVE A THE SIMS 3 DISC IN YOUR COMPUTER NOW. Don't at all actually for any of these steps, but absolutely do not right now.
Okay, okay, back to step 4: Open up Origin. Go to the "My Games" tab and hover over the TS3 game symbol. A box will appear and it should allow you to click "Download". Indeed do this. My Origin now noticed that "WOOOO there are a bunch of games here that you haven't downloaded" (all the EPs and SPs) "you crazy human" (me), so I just clicked the equivalent of "yep, please do so" and I got a long queue of downloads that took pretty long to get through. You might have to do one after the other by manually clicking download, or Origin will prompt the same upon you as it did me, either way - it doesn't matter, just download everything. This is NOT the same as installing so don't be too worried about the order of downloads, that's something I'd keep an eye on though in the next step.
5. Everything is downloaded and now is the time to install!! WEEI! (This is the step when I noticed that well plum, Registration codes for my downloaded EPs? Not on Origin, and so happy camper me contacted EA.)
Order of release for all TS3 games:
1. The Sims 3
2. The Sims 3: World Adventures
3. The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff
4. The Sims 3: Ambitions
5. The Sims 3: Fast Lane Stuff
6. The Sims 3: Late Night
7. The Sims 3: Outdoor Living Stuff
8. The Sims 3: Generations (May 31, 2011)
9. The Sims 3: Town Life Stuff
10. The Sims 3: Pets
11. The Sims 3: Master Suite
12. The Sims 3: Showtime
13. The Sims 3: Katy Perry's Sweet Treats Stuff
14. The Sims 3: Diesel Stuff
15. The Sims 3: Supernatural
16. The Sims 3: Seasons
17. The Sims 3: 70's, 80's & 90's Stuff
18. The Sims 3: University Life
19. The Sims 3: Island Paradise
20. The Sims 3: Movie Stuff
21. The Sims 3: Into the Future
Install them in order of release (not in the order you bought them), although perhaps it actually doesn't matter in what order the EPs and SPs are installed, I did it in release- date- order just because well... Just because back in the days it used to be better to do that, and perhaps Im getting old but better safe then sorry. Anyways! As you install the base game and each of the EPs/SPs you'll be prompted to fill in the registration codes. You NEED the registration codes for this step.
6. Everything is installed! WOHOO! What now? Close Origin. Reboot computer ( Documents. When you have opened the game so that the TS3 launcher opens (as an external application from Origin) you WILL get an Electronic Arts folder in Finder -> Documents.
7. Now for your saved data! Personally I copied my whole "The Sims 3" folder so this is what I wanted to slither into my game again. I copied my old "The Sims 3" folder with my saved games from my desktop and pasted it in the new Finder -> Documents -> Electronic Arts folder. The old and saved folder then ends up right with the newly sprung "The Sims 3" folder that do not hold any saved games. I got some options provided by computer here: to replace, or to merge the files (since they're names the exact same thing, aka, "The Sims 3"). I chose MERGE. This merging thing takes a couple of minutes. Basically what my lovely computer told me was that there were some differences in patches or whatna and so some files differed in between my two "The Sims 3" folders (besides all my saved files, as I understood it) so I MERGED happily.
8. So what now? Are we done? WE ARE DONE!! I closed the launcher and re-opened it again after I merged my "The Sims 3" folders because I'm a nut job and I live by one motto: "reboot, always reboot" (it seems, anyways). Launching your game now should run smoothly, no disc should be prompted for, but your game should otherwise be COMPLETELY UNTOUCHED.
9. Peace out fellas! And happy simming!
Xoxo