After much trial and error I found that The Sims 3 wasn’t crashing to the desktop, Windows was closing it. I installed a memory monitoring program and a mini DUMP viewer. Using these 2 programs I was able to find the problem. I had all the symptoms like slow saving game, running slow and various other issues.
After viewing the Dump file I found I was getting a 0xC0000005 Access Violation error which suggest maybe bad memory. But my memory is good. Further research led me to DEP (Microsoft‘s Data execution prevention). Don’t turn it off! Go into the setting and turn it on for all programs except the ones that you can add to the list and add TS3.EXE to it.
I have Windows XP SP2. Vista and Windows 7 may be slightly different.
To access this go to Start > Settings > Control panel and select System. Click on the Advance tab and click on the settings button for performance. Click the TAB for Data execution prevention and click the option to [Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select] and add TS3.EXE to the list and ok it and reboot.
Hopefully this will fix your problem.
You may have to add other programs to this list that you use also because this turns on DEP for ALL programs and not just for Windows.
0xC0000005 Access Violation Link
http://www.updatexp.com/0xC0000005.html
[Click here for another solution]
Pete
December 1, 2011
so… I just have put the TS3.exe? how about the TSEP05.exe? or the others?
belle
April 30, 2011
heyy, does this work for mac?
Bree
April 27, 2011
Hey, I tried doing this and I got to the part to adding TS3.EXE and my computer doesn’t reconize that file (its not there). Any suggestions?
Amanda
June 4, 2011
I also have the same issue. I type in TS3.EXE, but it doesn’t recognize the file. It says, “File not found.” So, what do you all suggest that I do?
Kirsti
February 20, 2011
Thank you so much!
You solved all my problems
Not one crash anymore!!!!
Lee
February 20, 2011
filip
February 11, 2011
vista tutorial plz..
Lee
February 11, 2011
Sorry, no Shitsta tutorials. Windows 7 maybe..but not Shitsta.
Carrie
February 7, 2011
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!! I tried this and it fixed my crashing problem!! I have been trying to fix the sims 3 for weeks and nothing I tried worked, but changing the DEP setting for this worked! I’m kicking myself nor not thinking of this before because I had to do this for 2 other games in order to get the patchers to work for them.
Lee
February 7, 2011
. You’re welcome.
Lyll
December 8, 2010
Hello!
First, thank you about posting solutions. I haven’t tried them yet though, because the crash only happens, when I’m playing with one saved game. The others are fine.
Of course, the problematic one is my fav. It crashes after 20-30 sec, and I got error 12′s a few times. ‘Save as’ isn’t a solution.
Maybe something is corrupting the save?
Lee
December 8, 2010
Yes, something is in fact corrupting the save and it’s usually the patches EA conjured up.
Heinz
November 9, 2010
Hello there.
I already try this one. But it didn’t work.
I already try the other one, it also didn’t work.
Can u help me Lee.
I’m dying to play this game.
Lee
November 9, 2010
Have you tried all of them? Even the other ones I’ve linked/listed?
Heinz
November 10, 2010
yeah i already try bunch of things. from modifying the compatibility mode to changing the video options on the txt file. I have another option that is to download a new crack from razor 1911. but i doubt it. it maybe someone’s prank to put viruses to my computer.
Wick
August 16, 2010
TS3.exe is located where you installed the game. Sims3/game/bin and it should be listed there. There will be a similarly named .exe for each expansion you have, each located in the expansion’s install folder in the same place it’s located in the main game folder (i.e. Ambitions will be in Ambitions/Game/Bin). These .exes will have names like TS3EP01.exe or TS3EP02.exe. Add the .exe for the main game and each expansion you have to the DEP exception list.
Once you’ve done this I also recommend rebooting your computer and downloading and using Delphy’s Sims3 Dashboard to clear the game cache.
parela
August 14, 2010
You do not know how happy I’ve been doing. He could not play or five seconds while traveling anywhere, and live exactly the same way. Now I can play and also with the graphics to the max and without risk of leaving the desk.
Thanks thousand!!!!!!
Lee
August 14, 2010
You’re welcome parela.
pr0pt3rhawk
August 5, 2010
I’m with Jane, i cant find a file named TS3.EXE… Ive tried to add a folder that was an exe and it wouldnt let me… I tried adding a folder that wasnt an exe and i still didnt work…
Jane
July 17, 2010
This didn’t work for me. there was no file called ts3.exe. can u help?
Simmy
June 13, 2010
Lee … I love you! This really worked for me! THANKS A BUNCH!
Lee
June 13, 2010
Lol.
You’re welcome.
clare
June 4, 2010
this fixed my problem in vista using the TS3EP2.exe on dep
Lee
June 4, 2010
You’re welcome.
kseniya
June 7, 2010
Lee, you are the best!!! Hugs and kisses!!!!!!!
MUAH MUAH MUAH
Lee
June 7, 2010
You’re very welcome.
Kairi
June 14, 2010
I tried all of the solution possible on this site. Nothing works.
I can’t even find the TS3.EXE file. =.= I am a failure…
Lee
June 15, 2010
You can’t find it? I see why the solutions wouldn’t work….
Kairi
June 15, 2010
I uninstalled and reinstalled the game, and the TS3.EXE is missing. I am not sure where to find it…
Lee
June 15, 2010
It should be in the main Sims 3 folder. Not the one under ‘My Documents’.
Mark
June 22, 2010
I’m having the same problem. i get what to do about the DEP, BUT i cannot find TS3.exe anywhere. where is it?
Mark
June 22, 2010
i cant find it either