Can't install SIMS - "package missing" error

[Rowley_THS]

Hope someone can help me out here. Had a problem with SIMS on a teacher's computer so we uninstalled it and tried to reinstall (our usual method of fixing SIMS faults). But it won't install - gives the following errors:

 

SIMS Infrastructure package missing

SIMS Applications package missing

SIMS Manuals package missing

 

I've just done the same thing on another pc so the installation files are all there, it must be some problem with this particular pc but I've no idea what.

Thanks.

[SPC]

Could be one of the following

 

1.Problem with the permissions on the mapped S:\ Drive it cannot find the setups folder so does not know that the files are there. If you can browse there then you probably need full access.

 

2. The folder path you have given is incorrect

 

3. or finally its a lovely UAC issue.

 

[Rowley_THS]

Thanks, but I'm logged in myself (I'm an administrator) on both machines so I don't think permissions can be an issue.

[SPC]

Even the administrator account is governed by the permissions on the share.

[Rowley_THS]

True, but surely if it works when I log in on the first pc then it should also work when I log in on the second pc?

[Mcshammer_dj]

check the sims.ini in the windows directory

[SPC]

True, but surely if it works when I log in on the first pc then it should also work when I log in on the second pc?

 

Yes sorry, my bad.

 

Try copying the .ini files from another workstation where it works.

[mikeTP]

This may seem the least professional methd but it worked for me on a machine that had the same problem:-

 

As Administrator

Uninstall SIMS infrastructure (If available in list in control panel - it wasn't on mine!)

Delete C:\sims folder

Delete C:\program files\sims\sims.net folder

Restart PC

Run simsinst.exe from S:\setups folder (Or whatever drive you use)

Copy sims.ini and connect.ini from working pc to the one you're working on

Log in..............

 

I know this seems like a brute force & ignorance approach but you are only re-installing on a client PC so no data should be lost

.

As I say it worked on a PC for me so try it at your own risk as a last resort.

[matt40k]

So messy.

 

For fresh reinstall, rename\delete sims.ini (from c:\windows), rename\delete c:\program files\sims

Run SIMSINST

 

Make sure you have the latest version!!! The icon should be a blue, if yours is yellow, then your really out of date. The "new" one is over 1 year old now!

[EduTech]

Also when you run SIMSINST, Click on "Settings" and Make sure that the Store SIMS Setups Directory points to your setups folder. If it dont then it wont find the installers causing it to also display that message.

 

James.

[mikeTP]

@matt40k

 

I'm a little surprised by your "So messy" comment, particularly as your method and mine are essentially the same. The only difference being I had to delete the c:\sims directory as simsinst skipped installing some files as it detected them as already being there and the install failed.

 

I've appreciated the comments you've posted before as they're usually very constructive - I'll put this one down to being a rushed reply.

[EduTech]

@matt40k

 

I'm a little surprised by your "So messy" comment, particularly as your method and mine are essentially the same. The only difference being I had to delete the c:\sims directory as simsinst skipped installing some files as it detected them as already being there and the install failed.

 

I've appreciated the comments you've posted before as they're usually very constructive - I'll put this one down to being a rushed reply.

 

Dont forget the Restart

 

No Joking apart, i think Matt was just saying that there is no need to do so much when re-installing SIMS, and he is totally right unless the actually installation is corrupt the only files/folders you need to remove/rename are the connect.ini file in C:\windows\ (and thats not always required) and Remove the contents inside the SIMS.net folder. There is no need for the restart you can then just re-install sims using SIMSINST.

 

But yeah i am sure Matt was just in a rush Both of your ways will work fine its just that one is more long winded than the other. (just have to bare in mind you really dont have to go the longer way)

 

James.

[matt40k]

The mess I was referring to was you copying sims.ini from another machine. You'll find extra junk in sims.ini that most SIMS users won't need, such as Nova-T and normally just causes problems. Uninstalling SIMS infra is silly, it won't do anything, (it would be unWISE*). If it did a clean uninstall it'll remove all your dot net frameworks, if you re-run the install it'll install any Sims stuff over the top.

 

The new simsinst creates a simsinst.ini, this will store the last set of settings. So you shouldn't have to worry about checking it each time, so long as your stick to a standard.

 

Not sure what you have in c:\Sims? Only think I have is some finance stuff, no sims stuff tho.

 

*HINT: SIMS uses the WISE installer

[mikeTP]

@matt40k - "Uninstalling SIMS infra is silly"

 

wow - you really specialise in pompous don't you!

 

If you'd read my post before launching into an attack you would have grasped the "last resort" part of it. As I hoped would be obvious the "brute force and ignorance" approach was the only way to correct the PC that would not re-install sims by any other method. Eradicating everything (Including a restart to remove latent memory issues) was absolutely the only way to re-install without re-imaging the PC. I felt it best to keep the user's downtime to the smallest amount possible so went with this. The poster's issue sounded remarkably similar.

 

I would not copy a sims.ini from another machine using a different setup or satellite options - you seem to be clutching at straws here to justify yourself!

 

I won't be posting on this thread again as I'm sure the original poster didn't expect this sort of playground rubbish so feel free to have the last word - I suspect your fragile ego needs it. You may want to think how you phrase your responses in future - I can't imagine other newcomers to the site will want to be involved in this sort of response when they attempt to help someone.

 

Try a little less passing judgement and a bit more of "Here's another method you could try" - people might feel more like posting then.

[matt40k]

@matt40k - "Uninstalling SIMS infra is silly"

 

wow - you really specialise in pompous don't you!

 

If you'd read my post before launching into an attack you would have grasped the "last resort" part of it. As I hoped would be obvious the "brute force and ignorance" approach was the only way to correct the PC that would not re-install sims by any other method. Eradicating everything (Including a restart to remove latent memory issues) was absolutely the only way to re-install without re-imaging the PC. I felt it best to keep the user's downtime to the smallest amount possible so went with this. The poster's issue sounded remarkably similar.

 

I would not copy a sims.ini from another machine using a different setup or satellite options - you seem to be clutching at straws here to justify yourself!

 

I won't be posting on this thread again as I'm sure the original poster didn't expect this sort of playground rubbish so feel free to have the last word - I suspect your fragile ego needs it. You may want to think how you phrase your responses in future - I can't imagine other newcomers to the site will want to be involved in this sort of response when they attempt to help someone.

 

Try a little less passing judgement and a bit more of "Here's another method you could try" - people might feel more like posting then.

 

Eh? Sorry, don't get why your moaning at me, I stated my comments of your post, complete with logically reasons and you say I'm pompous.

 

I stated it's pointless uninstall SIMS infr. I stated my reasons why I though so.

I stated it's "messy" to start copying sims.ini as they are per-machine, you only now state to ensure they are the "same"

Be nice if you could at least answer my question before you slatted my post.

 

PS: This is why you don't get more pro responses.

[Rowley_THS]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I finally managed to get back to that job today. I uninstalled sims, then renamed sims.ini in the windows folder (always afraid to actually delete things just in case...lol) and it reinstalled ok after that.

Please don't argue about the best way of doing things, folks - the more suggestions the merrier!