Author Topic: Can't Excavate (Read 10740 times)

Mrs.Laphalot · « **on:** June 17, 2010, 05:16:10 PM »

I had my sim go to Egypt and China and she isn't able to excavate at any location. $:-\$ She just stands there and complains that she can't reach the spot, even if I put her to standing directly on it. Anyone else have this problem?

Schipperke · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2010, 06:15:55 PM »

I also had this problem in China - couldn't excavate anywhere. It was the first time I'd had a sim travelling since I got Ambitions, and I thought Ambitions might be causing the problem. However, a sim in that same game was recently in France and had no problem excavating there. I haven't tried in Egypt.

Joria · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2010, 06:50:31 PM »

I think it may have something to do with their age level. My adult Sims and older can excavate, my young adults and younger can't. Haven't tested it but so far the older folks can excavate at each country but the young adult can't.

Saltypaws · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2010, 06:52:38 PM »

I am having the same problem too, it is with all ages so far and in Egypt and China.

Pam · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2010, 09:18:20 PM »

I'm having this problem, as well. My adult Sim was unable to excavate in Egypt. There was one place, though, that he could excavate: in the underground copper mine on the little island. There are tons of rubble piles to clear with metals and gems under them, and a couple of excavation site. I have no idea why he could excavate undergroung, but not above ground.

wildredchild · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2010, 09:28:16 PM »

I, too, was having this problem after installing Ambitions. I ended up uninstalling everything and then reinstalling. Seems to have fixed the problem as my Sims are able to excavate now.

Mrs.Laphalot · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2010, 10:41:13 PM »

Quote from: Pam on June 17, 2010, 09:18:20 PM

I'm having this problem, as well. My adult Sim was unable to excavate in Egypt. There was one place, though, that he could excavate: in the underground copper mine on the little island. There are tons of rubble piles to clear with metals and gems under them, and a couple of excavation site. I have no idea why he could excavate undergroung, but not above ground.

That's one area I didn't think to try... underground.

Quote from: wildredchild on June 17, 2010, 09:28:16 PM

I to was having this problem after installing Ambitions. I ended up uninstalling everything and then reinstalling. Seems to have fixed the problem as my Sims are able to excavate now.

After all the uninstalls/re-installs I've been through the past two days, I'll deal with not being able to for now. I'll have to muster the stomach to do that again.

Glad there's hope that the problem can possibly be resolved this way though. Thanks bunches for letting me know.

I'm actually have to much of a 'blast' with my inventor at the moment and it's hard for me to pull away from the game.

Esther1981 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2010, 10:49:57 PM »

Quote from: Mrs.Laphalot on June 17, 2010, 10:41:13 PM

I'm actually have to much of a 'blast' with my inventor at the moment and its hard for me to pull away from the game.

I remember my first day with an inventor! A cop car went BOOM! It was hilarious! I was showing my brother-in-law, and I was laughing so hard I was having trouble hitting the detonate button!

Pam · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2010, 11:30:11 PM »

Quote from: Mrs.Laphalot on June 17, 2010, 10:41:13 PM

After all the uninstalls/re-installs I've been through the past two days, I'll deal with not being able to for now. I'll have to muster the stomach to do that again.

Ugh! Me, too! I just can't think of a reinstall right now. I'll hope for a patch from EA to fix it.

Joria · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2010, 11:34:56 PM »

Quote from: Saltypaws on June 17, 2010, 06:52:38 PM

I am having the same problem too, it is with all ages so far and in Egypt and China.

Yep. Just tested it out in China and it doesn't seem to be age related. Couldn't excavate.

NalaOwl22 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2010, 10:20:53 AM »

Same problem in my game too - I've heard rumours that excavation sites within lots are working OK, which would fit in with the Copper Mine. I haven't had chance to try this out further as yet but I will try to.
Nala

Schipperke · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2010, 05:24:36 PM »

I'm now having the same problem in France. Now my sims can't excavate in any of the travel destinations.

simfulicious · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2010, 05:42:43 PM »

I can't do this either. I will hopefully fix it on an uninstall/reinstall, when I get my new pc that is currently being built (I can hardly wait!!!)

jdratlif · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2010, 09:27:34 PM »

I have been reading that it is a problem with ambitions.

I can excavate in france in the celtic ruins, but have never been able to anywhere else. I've only found a few sights though, as I don't have the eyes of horus.

I have tried it on two different machines, one running XP and one running Windows 7, so I don't think an uninstall/reinstall will help. Seems unlikely that both m installs went terribly wrong. It has also happened to me on different games, so it doesn't seem to be a save game issue.

What would happen to my save game if I decided to uninstall ambitions? I guess I would lose my washer/dryer, but they don't have any of the new professions. Would my game even still work? I don't really want to start over right now, but I've barely done any exploring.

Esther1981 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2010, 10:24:03 PM »

Quote from: jdratlif on June 29, 2010, 09:27:34 PM

What would happen to my save game if I decided to uninstall ambitions? I guess I would lose my washer/dryer, but they don't have any of the new professions. Would my game even still work? I don't really want to start over right now, but I've barely done any exploring.

I'm not positive about this, but if you do choose to remove Ambitions, make SURE you remove anything that it has in it BEFORE un-installing! Why I say this is when I un-installed WA and couldn't re-install right away, I tried to play my saved games with only the base game, but because I had WA things in the saved games, it would only load about half-way and refused to go any farther. I didn't try it without WA stuff because once I got my code there was no need.

JahloveAngel · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2010, 12:42:19 AM »

I do not have Ambitions installed (just the base and WA) and have been getting this problem. I've tried to excavate in all three locations been unable, although I haven't used multiple age levels. I don't believe I've tried to excavate on a lot either. That is something I'll try next time.

Branr · « **Reply #16 on:** July 02, 2010, 08:26:00 AM »

One workaround I found is to use buydebug to add excavation spawners to the unbuilt vacation home lots. This spawns the excavation spots where you can use them, even if you don't own the lot.

JahloveAngel · « **Reply #17 on:** July 02, 2010, 11:39:50 PM »

Quote from: Branr on July 02, 2010, 08:26:00 AM

One workaround I found is to use buydebug to add excavation spawners to the unbuilt vacation home lots. This spawns the excavation spots where you can use them, even if you don't own the lot.

I can't believe I didn't think of that. Thanks for the tip!

Yeshanu · « **Reply #18 on:** July 06, 2010, 10:23:38 AM »

Thanks for that tip, Branr!

I've found three excavation sites that work with Ambitions--the burial mound in France, and the copper mine and Queen Hat-whatever-her-name-was' tomb in Egypt, and they're all within lots. I've posted on the Sims 3 forum asking for that bug to be fixed in the next patch, but it's not too much of a priority for me right now. I might try the uninstall/reinstall route, though, or I might try Branr's solution, though I hate using anything but build cheats.

jestina · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:32:28 PM »

They fix one thing and break several others.

At least I don't do much excavating but that's still kind of irritating.

lianne · « **Reply #20 on:** July 27, 2010, 10:50:04 PM »

You know those little excavation sites you find around the world adventures locations? The ones that usually have a few ribs sticking out of the ground and when you dig them up you find relics and other stuff?

Well it seems that I can't excavate them anymore, with any of my game files. I used to be able to do it but for the last few weeks none of my sims can do it, they just stomp around and shrug as if they can't get to it. They clearly can get to it though and I've tried it with all 3 destinations and various different dig sites and sims.

Has this happened to anyone else?

Saltypaws · « **Reply #21 on:** July 28, 2010, 01:20:57 AM »

I am going to merge this one with another one, same topic.

wildredchild · « **Reply #22 on:** July 28, 2010, 02:05:25 AM »

Lianne it is happening for loads of players and we are waiting on EA to fix it in a patch. If you go through this thread, you will find a couple places that you can still excavate and also a workaround.

lianne · « **Reply #23 on:** July 28, 2010, 07:39:40 AM »

Sorry, I can't believe I totally missed this topic!

Saltypaws · « **Reply #24 on:** July 28, 2010, 09:14:38 AM »

No problem. We all do it at one time or another. You can still excavate on the burial mounds in France. I was just there and I found three excavation sites on that little mound. One is hidden in the grass and I would not have found that one if I hadn't seen someone else there digging. The locals and explorers are always on that mound digging, so you usually have to share. I start a conversation with them to draw them away from the site and then start digging myself. lol