Creating a Downloads Folder & Testing It Works
Create a new folder in the following location: Documents > EA Games > The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection and call it Downloads (this must have a capital D).
Add one or two mods to this folder to test it. If they are in a zipped folder, unzip them as they should be .package files.
Start up the game and you’ll see a dialogue box pop up informing you that the game has detected custom content. You need to check the box to enable custom content and mods.
Quit the game and re-start.
On re-start the dialogue box should already have enabled custom content checked.
You can turn the dialogue box off in options if you want after this (and it's recommend if you have lots of mods).
Add you cc/mods, most mods can be placed in this Downloads folder except lots, camera mods and maps (see below).
You can create sub-folders for your mods, and it's recommended to do this and keep your mods organised.
Back up your game including mods folder regularly. I will create a separate blog post on how to do this in the future.
Installing Maps
To install terrain maps firstly download one you want, unzip the folder (there will be numerous files) and place this in the following folder: Documents > EA Games > The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection > SC4 Terrains
Installing Camera Mods
To install camera mods firstly download one you want, unzip the folder and place this in the following folder: Documents > EA Games > The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection > Cameras
Installing Lots
To install lots, it's recommended you use a programme by Mootilda called the Clean Pack Installer You can find the manual for this programme here
Tips For Installing CC & Mods
Make sure when you download CC you have the mesh and any morphs you need (e.g. pregnant version, teen version, elder version). Read the creator's description carefully to check whether meshes are needed and if they included or not. I cannot recommend this enough, if you’re not sure I usually read the creators description, check the comments and ask if not sure.
Check that other mods are not required to make them work as some cc/mod are dependant on others, read the creators description and download any other essential mods.
Check you are using the right mod for the version of your game you have. Many creators have multiple versions of a mod for different users - I use Ultimate Collection and if this isn’t mentioned I use Mansion & Garden if not Apartment Life versions. Check comments and asking also helps if you are not sure.
Make sure the CC is unzipped when you put it in the Downloads folder or any sub-folders.
When you un-zip the file carefully read any text documents called "Read Me" or "For Info" (or similar), often this will have installation instructions from the creator.
Some creators include more than one version and you need to choose, read the description on the download page carefully.
Organise your CC folder from day 1 - trust me it’s a pain to sort out otherwise!
If you see the word "default" in a mod/cc description this will override an in game hair, clothing piece, skin, eyes, car etc. Store these in a separate folder so they're easier to find and remove later if needed.
Only merge CC if you know what you are doing and are confident you wan to keep everything you are merging as it's difficult to separate and delete items later.
Check mod creators descriptions, they often will say if their mod conflicts with other popular known mods, if it does you'll have to decide which mod you want because you can't have both.
After installing mods run, the Hack Conflict Dectector (see additional programmes below) and this will indicate if you have any mods which conflict.
Additional Programmes
I recommend regularly using Delphy’s Download Organiser to check for duplicated cc. I will have a blog post on how to use this in the future.
I also recommend you run Lazy Duchess's Hack Conflict Detector Utility regularly to look for mods that are conflicting with each other. Again, I'll have a blog post on how to do this in the future.