How To Recover Saves - PC Only Guide

This message was edited 13 times. Last update was at 08/29/09 08:52 AM

Have you ever loaded your game to find your saved game missing, or error code 13 while saving and lost your progress? To retrieve your saved game, do the following:

Finding Your Saves Folder
1. Go to My Documents.
2. Electronic Arts
3. The Sims 3
4. Saves

After that, find your saved game's name. If you named your game Sunset Valley, you should see:
Sunset Valley.sims3
Sunset Valley.sims3.backup

Instructions
Rename Sunset Valley.sims3.backup to Sunset Valley.sims3
Delete Sunset Valley.sims3

If you have a file that ends with .bad, delete that. Anything that ends with .bad, delete.

Start up your game, and your town will be back. The game will auto generate another backup file. If you don't have a backup file, all you need to do is just delete SunsetValley.bad, and your saved game should return.

Conclusion
Since this is a PC only tutorial, I can't do Mac as I'm not familiar with with it. I'm sure someone such as Lawertend, or Unsecretcrush can help out if you're on Mac.

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Troubleshooting/FAQ's
Question:
I don't have a SIMS3 file, but I do have a backup file. What can I do?
Answer:
Try making a copy of your backup file, and then renaming it to end with .sims3.

Question:
There are only two files - .sims3, and .bad. What do I do?
Answer:
Delete your .bad file. Don't worry about having no backup file. The game will regenerate one, automatically.

Still Having Trouble?

If you're still having trouble with your game, try these links to solve your problem.

CRASH TO DESKTOP - Possible Solution
A list of unofficial bugs and issues with The Sims 3 *UPDATED 06/18 - 2 NEW FIXES!*

Thanks!

randommermade wrote:Thanks!

You're welcome!

I tried this and now Sunset Valley is gone!

Dooglers8 wrote:I tried this and now Sunset Valley is gone!

Did you delete the .sims3 file first, or rename the backup file first?

I deleted the .bad file, and the other file that wasn't a backup. Please tell me I can retrieve my lost neighborhood!

Oh wait! I renamed the file and my beloved neighborhood showed up again!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you so much!!!

You saved my life!

( Kind of)
I am not gonna forget this.

I have discovered a way to completely avoid the Error Code 12s and 13s:

1: Get a kitchen timer, set it for an hour, and place it next to your computer.
b: When the timer goes off, Save and Exit, and reset the timer.
4: Start playing again. Rinse and repeat.

It seems the error codes come up when the game is played for several hours without an exit.

okay there is no backup file for my saved game. There is only the .sims3 and .sims3.bad. so what do i do now? there is a backup file for every other saved game but mine.

I delete my save and rename my backup file, but still corrupted T_T
I saved it normally, no crashed, but why...

gojyunin_master wrote:I delete my save and rename my backup file, but still corrupted T_T
I saved it normally, no crashed, but why...

When you renamed your backup file, did the "type" change to "SIMS 3" file? Or did it still say "BACKUP FILE"?

Did you delete the file that says .bad? You need to delete any files that end with .bad or your game will still be corrupted.

Rosieglo16 wrote:okay there is no backup file for my saved game. There is only the .sims3 and .sims3.bad. so what do i do now? there is a backup file for every other saved game but mine.

First off, delete any files that end with .bad
If you leave that in, your game will still be corrupted.

Second, after you delete .bad just load your game and your game should be back.

Yesss I love you

You saved 5 generations of hard work x

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 08/08/09 06:20 PM

haggisftw wrote:Yesss I love you You saved 5 generations of hard work x

You're welcome!
Just helping people with their games, one save at a time.

Good luck with the rest of your legacy!

omg!! this has been doing myhead in for ages!! so so smany lost games..now i've reinstalled my game..and i've come across this!!! too late for the lost games now...but for future.. I LOVE YOU! xxx