More Awesome Than You!

I need some advice before installing NL.  I've been playing Uni (unpatched) for quite a while, with many hacks from Pescado and Twojeffs, and have had very few problems.  I'd like to be problem-free with NL also, and I wonder what the correct patch/installation procedure is. 

Do I need to install the EA patch for Uni, then install NL, then the NL patch?  Or is the Uni patch redundant?

Looking forward to Christmas, when I finally get NL!

The Uni patch is redundant.

In fact, I'd suggest you explicitly don't install the Uni patch, because it's just the same code as the NL patch with a few bits disabled, and running both patches together might well break something  ::).

I just installed NL last night. I already had the uni patch installed, and I had no problems. But once you install NL if you already had the uni patch, you don't need to install the NL patch. It won't let you, anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

The thing that was difficult for me wasn't figuring out the patches, it was spending four hours this morning tracking down and updating all my hacks/mods so I can actually stand to play the game!

Thanks, everyone, for the advice.  I will follow it slavishly.

I'm actually glad I waited to get NL.  Now I can benefit from the experiences of all you MATYers who have discovered the traps and pitfalls, and have tried out the indispensible hacks residing here, in the best of all possible Sim-worlds.

Waiting is definitely worth it. Definitely. Because then you know about the little "surprises" in the game. Like how it explodes when Mrs. Crumplebottom gets vampirified.

Also, something I've been wondering about. I took out my hacks and downloads folder when I installed NL, on reputable advice. Hypothetically speaking, if one has only NL compliant content installed, is it okay to leave the downloads folder in, or is there some inherent value to having a clean download folder on install of an EP?

My understanding is that it might damage something in your Downloads or in you game if you don't pull it when you install/reinstall.  I could be wrong though.  I've been know to be.

I patche NL with all my downloads and hacks left in with NL patch only as the Uni Patch is incorporated into the NL Patch so you dont need to patch twice. form exprerience  its better to patch the game with the DL Folder including hacks left in and before you populate the new hood if its custom with maxis hoods they patch fine with maxis sims and the DL folder left in.I dont remove anything before I patch after discovering the hard way and losing sims galore and a whole neighborhood by removing the DL Folder and neighborhood file prior to patching. now I patch with the game just the way it will be when I play.......