The (filename).exe is not a valid win32 application problem!

[confused]

I know that this has been an issue for some people, and i have read
many, many things on how to fix it. I have had this problem before
with a program and today bought the game Sims 2 and have the problem
again, it installs fine and I can ever run other parts of the game
such as the sim creator tool but when I try to launch the game i get
Crogram FilesEA GAMESThe Sims 2Sims2.exe is not a valid Win32
application. This is extremely annoying and I have tried so many
avenues to try and fix the problem. Anyone who knows of a common fix
to this issue or can recommend something, im all ears. I am
considering just wiping everything and starting over as I dont wish to
incur this problem again in the future? I think it must be some kind
of registry problem however even after running most of the checks
listed on this and microsofts site i’ve come up with nothing...

PLEASE HELP!!

Cheers, Matt

 

[Sparda]

I know that this has been an issue for some people, and i have
read many, many things on how to fix it. I have had this
problem before with a program and today bought the game Sims 2
and have the problem again, it installs fine and I can ever
run other parts of the game such as the sim creator tool but
when I try to launch the game i get Crogram FilesEA
GAMESThe Sims 2Sims2.exe is not a valid Win32 application.
This is extremely annoying and I have tried so many avenues to
try and fix the problem. Anyone who knows of a common fix to
this issue or can recommend something, im all ears. I am
considering just wiping everything and starting over as I dont
wish to incur this problem again in the future? I think it
must be some kind of registry problem however even after
running most of the checks listed on this and microsofts site
i've come up with nothing...

PLEASE HELP!!

Cheers, Matt

That error offten means that the file is corrupt, I’m guessing you
have tried reinstalling. You should try installing it onto another
computer and see if it happens again. If it dose happen again on
another computer then your instalation media is probably damaged, you
would have to (some how) get a replacment.

 

[confused]

That error offten means that the file is corrupt, I'm guessing
you have tried reinstalling. You should try installing it onto
another computer and see if it happens again. If it dose
happen again on another computer then your instalation media
is probably damaged, you would have to (some how) get a
replacment.

works on a mates computer fine, hence i know its some problem on my
computer....im so over this problem, there almost seems to be no
fix....I know this may seem like an extreme or a dumb thing to do but
how do I just start fresh, I have too much stuff I dont need slowing
up my system already, and i’d like to just start completely over. I
tried to do this before but just ended up repairing my current version
and keeping everything else. I want everything gone and just install
things that i need again....can anyone tell me how?

 

[Sparda]

works on a mates computer fine, hence i know its some problem
on my computer....im so over this problem, there almost seems
to be no fix....I know this may seem like an extreme or a dumb
thing to do but how do I just start fresh, I have too much
stuff I dont need slowing up my system already, and i'd like
to just start completely over. I tried to do this before but
just ended up repairing my current version and keeping
everything else. I want everything gone and just install
things that i need again....can anyone tell me how?

You mean do a clean install of windows? Yes, you could do that. But
first you should try uninstalling the Sims 2 and after that delete the
directoy it was installed into, then try installing again, this is
efectivly a clean install of the sims 2.

 

[confused]

You mean do a clean install of windows? Yes, you could do
that. But first you should try uninstalling the Sims 2 and
after that delete the directoy it was installed into, then try
installing again, this is efectivly a clean install of the
sims 2.

I uninstalled sims2 and deleted the directory...reinstalled and got
the same error....I think a fresh windows is my only hope...can anyone
tell me how I can wipe my computer and start over?

 

[Sparda]

I uninstalled sims2 and deleted the directory...reinstalled
and got the same error....I think a fresh windows is my only
hope...can anyone tell me how I can wipe my computer and start
over?

http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm

 

[Malke]

http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm

"Confused" - before you reinstall Windows, you should go to The Sims
site and look for user forums and tech support. The Sims games have a
*lot* of user-to-user support sites; just Google for them. I don't play
any of those games so I don't have the answer for you, but I can tell
you from helping a client with some Sims games that those games are
very particular in the way and order they are installed/uninstalled. It
would be worth taking the time to check with Maxis before you
format/clean install your operating system.

Good luck,

Malke