From Courtney Marchelletta,
Your Guide to Computer Sim Games.
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You've probably heard about the many problems of attempting to install "The Sims Hot Date Expansion Pack." Problems can be avoided by following a few steps before installing the game. You have probably completed many, if not all, of the steps in normal computer maintenance.

Before Installation

• Run Disk Cleanup
• Run ScanDisk
• Run Disk Defragmenter
• Close All Programs

For more details about these steps, and how to complete them, read my article about preparing your computer for installation.

The Installation Process
I recommended installing the expansion packs in the order that they were released ("Living Large," "House Party," "Hot Date"). If you did not install them in order before, backup your files, uninstall, and then start reinstalling the expansion packs in the correct order. If you choose to do this please remember to back up your families/houses and downloads.

1. Place the CD in the CD drive. An autorun menu should appear. If it doesn't click the start button on the task bar, click Run, then type d:\start.exe (substitute 'd' for your CD drive letter), then click OK.
2. Click Install
3. Read installation guidelines.
4. Enter serial number from the back of your CD-ROM case. Remember to never give this number out!
5. Important! You may be asked to insert your previous version of "The Sims." Insert your CD and click OK.
6. Files will be copied from your previous version. After the copying is completed, you will be asked to insert "The Sims Hot Date" CD in.
7. Files will be copied from "The Sims Hot Date" CD.
8. Installation will complete.

Note: After you install "Hot Date," the "Hot Date" CD will be the only one you need to use. Even if you install "Living Large" and "House Party" afterwards. If you install later expansion packs (Unleashed, Vacation, Sims Deluxe) you will need to use those CDs.

Problems After Installation
When playing "The Sims" you should close or disable your anti-virus/crash guard programs. You should also close out any programs that you are not using. The more background tasks you have running, the fewer resources you have available for "The Sims" to use.

"The Sims Hot Date" requires at least 64 MB RAM and Virtual Memory enabled. But if you are using the other expansion packs, you should have at least 128 MB RAM. RAM is very cheap right now. Even if you do have 128 MB RAM, it may be wise to buy some more. Slow, choppy graphics are often the result of needing more RAM, and maybe a faster video card.

Video cards need to have at least 2 MB of video memory and be compatible with DirectX 7.0. Problems with video cards often result from not having the latest version of DirectX and video drivers. To update your video drivers you'll need to visit the manufacturer of your video card.

Your sound card will need to support DirectSound and DirectX 7.0. Sound cards not supporting these will produce choppy sound or sound that comes and goes. If you have a problem with sound in "The Sims," check your sound card's manufacturer's page for updated drivers. Check that your sound is plugged in correctly – sometimes the problem is that simple.

You may also want to try running The Sims File Cop. It will take out the bad files (you probably a have a couple if you have a lot of user creations). The Sims File Cop can be downloaded at Website.