Backing up Game Data Files

[bgrateful]

ok, call me stupid, but I am not sure exactly which file or files I have to backup for my game. I have all expansion packs up to AL, except for a few stuff packs, and I have to reinstall AL. I would like to save my game, but I'm afraid I'll backup the wrong file. any help would be appreciated.

[mitchellcjs]

Back up the Sims2 folder in your My Documents, and also any "special" hacks or patches that went in the program files area.  Make sure you have the software to reinstall the CEP, if you use it, because it also puts things in program files/Ea games/the sims 2.

Basically, anything you've changed from vanilla Sims2.

[jsalemi]

And on a continuing basis, backup the 'Neighborhoods' sub-folder, since that's where the day-to-day changes you make in the game are located.  I have it automatically backed up to an external drive on a regular basis (3 or 4 times a week) so that I'm never too far behind if I have to restore a hood.  A simple utility like SyncToy or AllSync makes just backing up the changed files a breeze.

[witch]

I use Syncback, another utility. I usually play one hood at a time, I have Syncback set to back up just that neighbourhood number. I backup the hood after every play session, downloads and other stuff about once a week. After a while, a month or so, I delete a bunch of backups and just keep one for every week or so on an external drive.

This saves endless frustration, plus if something gets borked I have a shot at getting back a pre-borked copy.