The Sims 2 has a separate application known as the Body Shop, in which you can create characters with a much wider variety of customizations than you can in-game. Unfortunately, the application is also known to suffer several performance issues. Learn to solve the most common problems and get it started.
Instructions
If Body Shop Doesn't Show At All
1. Try starting the application from within the folder of the newest expansion pack installed. This can be found within the "Start" menu in Windows.
2. Delete the "groups.cache," "cigen.package," "accessory.cache" and "Content Registry" files within the Sims 2 folder in your local "My Documents" folder. You can get there from the "Start" menu: Click "My Documents" or the name of the account you're currently logged into (depending on your version of Windows), then double-click on the "EA Games" folder and find the "Sims 2" folder therein.
3. Download the latest patches--both for the latest expansion pack installed and for Body Shop--from the Sims 2 website. (See Resources.)
4. If all else fails, reinstall the game and download the latest patches as described in Step 3.
The D3DERR_INVALIDCALL Error
5. Install an expansion pack newer than the "Sims 2: University" one. This expansion pack has a known compatibility problem with certain video cards that can produce the error message "D3DERR_INVALIDCALL" when starting the application.
6. Download the latest patches--both for the latest expansion pack installed and for Body Shop--from the Sims 2 website. (See Resources.)
7. Install a different video card in the computer, or install and play the game on another. Intel Integrated video cards are known to work poorly with The Sims 2.
Tags: expansion pack, expansion pack installed, pack installed, Body Shop, Body Shop--from, Body Shop--from Sims