Reinstalling Sims 2 on a new computer -- is there an easy way to do it?

[spambi]

My new computer should arrive in a week or so and I'm hoping there's an easier way to reinstall Sims 2 on the new computer than digging out all the disks and installing them one by one. I have all the expansions plus a couple stuff packs and I'm not sure I know where all the disks are. Is it possible to move the game by copying over all the directories and adding stuff to the registry?

[B]

Just install the game from discs.  You really don't want to try creating the registry keys fresh.  If you can't find an EP or SP, visit PB for a backup. 

Alternatively, there are programs available which claim to be able to move programs from one computer to another.  However, I've heard that these file transfer programs are generally not very reliable when it comes to sizable applications.

[Soylent Sim]

It's worth noting that while the actual game files are best reinstalled by disc, if you can zip up your My Documents/EA Games folder and send it to the new computer that should help somewhat.  You'll still have to load and patch each disc normally, but at least you won't have to start the whole bloody game from scratch.

[spambi]

Alright, I was afraid of that. Thanks though.

[ZephyrZodiac]

I had to do it recently, yet again, this time because I needed to reinstall Windows.  I found it helped having the DVD for Sims 2 itself, also for Pets.  The most annoying part is having to copy over all those keys off the booklets in the case - especially if you get one digit wrong.....However, I think it only took me about an hour including patching as I went, to get up to Pets.  The longest bit was redownloading Seasons as I'd forgotten to save the cached game files before I did the reinstall.