SIMS & VISTA If you have repeatedly error-messages whilst trying to install the game, try it in the Safe-modus. Restart your computer and keep F8 pressed down Also it often happens that after a succesful installation you cannot play the game. You only have to option to de-install. No shortcut will be placed on your desktop in Vista and the option via Start-All Programs-EA Games is very confusing. In XP you had the following possibilities:   This is missing in Vista and you unwillingly select de-install instead of play. It is recommended to make a shortcut on your desktop: 1. Go via My Computer to the icon of your hard disk (usually C:) 2. Click it open 3. Find the folder Program Files and click it open 4. Find the folder Maxis and click it open 5. Find the folder The Sims and click it open 6. On the bottom of the page you will find a kind of blue trafficsign 7. Rightclickk on it en select Create shortcut 8. Place the shortcut on your desktop 9. From now on start your game with the shortcut Because you also lack the possibility in Vista to play in another screen-resolution (1024x768 or higher) your screen is often night quite clear. To solve this problem, you can do following: 1. Go to the shortcut on your desktop 2. Rightclick on it 3. Select Properties 4. You'll notice a small window showing "C:\Program Files\Maxis\The Sims\Sims.exe" 5. complement this by typing at the back a space and then -r1024x768 6. It will look like: "C:\Program Files\Maxis\The Sims\Sims.exe" -r1024x768 7. Select Apply and OK Also it would be handy to install a NoCd crack, enabling you to play without a CD in your drive. For instructions see HERE At start-up you may see an error-message but just click on Continue and the game starts.