Can't install Sims 3 create a world tool

Keeps saying I don't have a copy of Sims 3...when I do from Steam.
Help :?

[TheMerricat]

Register the CD keys with EA's download site, delete Steam install, download the The Sims from EA directly, install tool. There are no other options AFAIK and I've been looking for a week now.

[iwirthless]

Create an account on http://thesims3.com and register the keys there. It should allow you to get bonus content from expansions, 1000 sim points, and the CaW tool.

[TheMerricat]

Originally Posted by iwirthless

Create an account on http://thesims3.com and register the keys there. It should allow you to get bonus content from expansions, 1000 sim points, and the CaW tool.

That's not the problem he's having. The problem is the CaW tool does not recognize a Steam install of the Sims because EA never updated it for that. And because CaW requires a 'working installation of the Sims' you can't get it to work without installing retail or Origin downloaded Sims.

There were a few people who were able to actually get it to install using registry key hacks, but when they attempted to run it, it still didn't work.

Correction you can install CaW with Steam's version. They discovered the method since the last time I read the thread

http://forums.steampowered.com/forum....php?t=1746411

Originally Posted by tyggna

In case anyone is interested in it, here's the newbie guide to do it (I'm only posting exactly how to do it for windows 7 64-bit OSes, as that's what I have--but I'll include tips that should make it easy for everyone):

click start, type in "regedit" in the bar, and hit enter.
In the explorer window that comes up (titled Registry Editor) click the arrows by the following files:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
SOFTWARE
Wow6432Node
Sims(Steam)
**OR**
You can click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, and then click on the "Edit" menu button at the top, select Find and then type in Sims(Steam) and wait a few minutes while it locates it.

Right-click on the Sims(Steam), and select export. In the Export Registry File popup window--note where "Save in" is pointing to (and change it if you so desire, just remember where it is). Towards the bottom, change the "Save as type:" drop down menu to read "Win9x/NT4 Registration Files (*.reg)" and then type in your file name.
Remember where you saved it at, then open up a text editor (notepad is fine). ctrl-H is the universal "Search and Replace" hotkey, so you can just press that, or click on an edit menu and select Replace. In the Find box, look for Sims(Steam) and in the replace with box put in Sims, and save it.
Go back into the Registry Editor window, and select File->import. Find your registry file that you just edited, and import that. For windows 7, it should work right away. If you're on XP, then you need to reboot your computer.

[BoClucky14]

While your at it, send a support ticket to EA - you might end up with a free $20 coupon. That's what I did - and a verified answer that there is no current way to get the steam install to work with Create a World.

Originally Posted by TheMerricat

Register the CD keys with EA's download site, delete Steam install, download the The Sims from EA directly, install tool. There are no other options AFAIK and I've been looking for a week now.

I really want to know if you are able to download it via origin. I can't. Is it region restricted?

Originally Posted by BoClucky14

While your at it, send a support ticket to EA - you might end up with a free $20 coupon. That's what I did - and a verified answer that there is no current way to get the steam install to work with Create a World.

What did you send them? Can you post your ticket text? My support request was turned down with, if nothing else reinstall your game ....

[BoClucky14]

Originally Posted by iuzbob

What did you send them? Can you post your ticket text? My support request was turned down with, if nothing else reinstall your game ....

I started a chat with an EA dude, that started:

Chat Transcript Stevie via Chat 06/07/2011 09:58 AM
Hi, my name is Stevie. How may I help you?
982278231: Hello Stevie. I had a question regarding The Sims 3. I have The Sims 3 via Steam. I would like to install the Create a World tool that is offered found here: http://www.thesims3.com/game/tools/world - However, when I try to install the Create a World tool, it states that the Sims 3 is not installed. How can I fix this?
Stevie: Okay.
Stevie: Please allow me some time while I do some re search in your issue.
982278231: Okay.
Stevie: Thanks for your time and patience.
982278231: Thank you.
Stevie: It Seems that there are some corrupted files in your system .
Stevie: Lets try some basiv troubleshooting to fix it.
982278231: Okay.
Stevie: I would suggest that you follow the below given troubleshooting steps: - 1. Please end all background tasks to prevent conflicts with other programs. Click the below given link for instruction on ending background tasks: http://support.ea.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/39/ 2. Empty your Temp folder to prevent file conflicts. Click the below given link for instruction on emptying your Temp folder: - http://support.ea.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/44/
982278231: Okay.
982278231: Done.
Stevie: Now try to do the same .
982278231: I still get this error message upon running the installer for Create a World: "This product requires an installed copy of The Sims 3. Please install The Sims 3 before installing this product."
Stevie: I would suggest you to un install the game then re install it manually .
Stevie: then try it.
982278231: Okay, I'll do that then.
Stevie: Thanks.
982278231: Okay, Sims 3 is completely uninstalled, and now I'm going to re-install it.
Stevie: Yes.
982278231: This may take a while.
Stevie: Are you doing it?
982278231: Yes, Steam is reinstalling The Sims 3.
Stevie: Okay.
982278231: 50%
Stevie: Okay.
Stevie: Are you there?
982278231: Yes.
Stevie: I would suggest you to try the same after installing the game .
Stevie: Hopefully it should work.
Stevie: If incase it does not.
Stevie: You can contact us any time.
982278231: Ok
Stevie: I hope you have found our session helpful. Thank you for playing EA Games.
Stevie: Have a great time.
982278231: You too.
982278231: Thank you.

With the Auto-Response:

Auto-Response 06/07/2011 09:58 AM
Hello,

Thank you for participating in our Chat program.

You will find a transcript of our chat session attached below, and should also receive a follow up survey via e-mail. While participation in the survey is not required, we would appreciate your input and participation as we strive to improve the services we provide you.

If your question was not answered to your satisfaction, please contact us once again.

Additionally, you may update your question by visiting our support site located at http://help.thesims.com. Upon login, you may locate the associated incident by clicking the “My Questions” link found to the left.

Sincerely,
EA Customer Support

Then my Reply:

Customer James Haug via via CSS Web 06/07/2011 08:50 PM
I have completely reinstalled the Sims 3, yet I still can not install "Create a World".

Then their response:

Response Ajay Das via Email 06/08/2011 09:10 PM
Hi,

Thank you for contacting Electronic Arts.

As a gamer myself, I understand how frustrating not being able to install the World Tool can be.

I have gone ahead and located an alternate download location.
I would like you to follow the directions below to download the Sims 3 World Tool.

I would like you to follow this link for a direct download of The Sims 3 World Tool -> http://llnw.thesims3.com/content/glo.../worldtool.exe

I hope the above information helps and resolves this issue. If you have any other issues then please feel free to contact us again.

Thank You,

Sincerely,

Albert
EA Customer Support

Customer James Haug via via CSS Web 06/12/2011 09:56 AM
Sorry I haven't responded in a while. I used your link and ran the installer, and again, it states it needs Sims 3 installed - even though it is installed via Steam.

Response Kelly P. via Email 06/13/2011 08:59 AM
Hello James,

Thank you for contacting EA Support regarding not being able to create a world for The Sims 3. I can understand your concern and will do my best to assist you with this issue. In order to further assist you can you please provide the serial key that was given to you by steam when you placed your order. Also could you verify the date of birth that is listed on your EA account also please.

Should you require further assistance about this or any Electronic Arts game in the future, please visit our web site and review our extensive Self Help Knowledge base (http://support.ea.com). Your reference number for this phone call is 110607-012412

Sincerely,

Kelly P.
Electronic Arts Customer Support

Customer James Haug via via CSS Web 06/13/2011 04:36 PM
Are you asking for the CD-key that Steam gave me?

As for my date of birth, it is March 8, 1993

Response Kelly P. via Email 06/15/2011 01:49 AM
Hello James,

Yes, I would like the serial key that was given to you by Steam. Also I am sending you another link that will uninstall your game once again. This will ensure that no portions of the game are left on your PC so that we can start with a clean slate once we reinstall again.


Revo Uninstaller: http://www.revouninstaller.com/

Once you have the game uninstalled completely, reinstall it please. Attempt to access the create a world tool once again and inform me if you receive the same error message and if possible please send a screen shot of your message.

Should you require further assistance about this or any Electronic Arts game in the future, please visit our web site and review our extensive Self Help Knowledge base (http://support.ea.com). Your reference number for this phone call is 110607-012412

Sincerely,

Kelly P.
Electronic Arts Customer Support

Customer James Haug via via CSS Web 06/16/2011 06:45 AM

Cd-Key: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

I used Revo Uninstaller, uninstalled Sims 3, re-installed it using Steam, and received the same error message. Here is an image of the error message, attached.

Response Kelly P. via Email 06/16/2011 06:52 AM
Hello James,

I am sorry to hear that you are still having issues with the downloading of Create A World. After a little bit more research I have been informed the issue you are experiencing is currently a known issue with The Sims 3 store. Our developers have been notified of the issue and we are currently gathering as much information as possible about this issue so that we can get this resolved in a timely manner.

For the latest information regarding this issue, I recommend visiting the official forums for The Sims 3. If you click this link: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/forums/show/15.page you will be taken directly to the Technical Discussion forum for The Sims 3 store. The forums are frequently updated with information about issues like this, and it is an excellent place to find the latest news regarding technical issues with The Sims 3 store.

For the inconvenience, I'm including a $20 coupon code that you can redeem at our online store, found here: http://store.origin.com. Here is the code: XXXXXXXXXX . As soon as you are ready to check out and you are reviewing your Shopping Cart, enter that code in the gray box labeled Promo Code. Once you enter the code and click Apply, you should see the discount taken from your total. Just a reminder: this code can only be used in our online store, and cannot be used in the Playstation Store or the Xbox Live Marketplace. Thank you so much for your patience.

Within the next few days you may be receiving a survey from EA asking for your feedback on the customer service you have received today. We would greatly appreciate you taking a couple of moments to complete this survey so that we can continue to evaluate our customer’s needs and provide the best assistance possible for all of our customers. Thank you for your patience.

If you find you need further assistance on this, or any other issue, please don’t hesitate to let us know! You can update the issue we spoke about today by heading over to http://support.ea.com and clicking the MY QUESTIONS link.

Reference number for this call is 110607-012412

Thank you,

Kelly P.
Electronic Arts Customer Support
(650) 628-1001
(866) 543-5435