Hello everyone, this worked for me, so I thought it might be useful for other people.

I have installed and patched Base Game, Nightlife and Pets for now (I intend to install the other EPs and SPs later on) and my game is working.

I have uninstalled OneDrive completely from my laptop, as it can interfere with the saved game files in the Documents location, and I don't want it or use it anyway.

Step 1 = Install the Game
Base Game:
a) Make a folder called Games on your Windows (C: ) drive, this is the best place to install your game to, due to User Account Control and the Virtual Store on Windows (this thread has lots of information https://modthesims.info/showthread....=virtualization).
b) Install Base Game from disc, Run as Administrator, install as an Advanced User, change the directory to C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2.
c) Patch Base Game with the relevant TS2 Update Patch (from here https://modthesims.info/wiki.php?ti...elp:TS2_Patches).

After applying the TS2 Update Patch, if you do not get the message 'The Sims 2 has updated successfully', and the update window just closes, it has crashed, and you will need to apply it again, using Grumpy Loader from here https://modthesims.info/showthread....458#post4051458.

To use Grumpy Loader, double click to run it, when it opens, click Load..., then navigate to where you saved the TS2 Update Patch exe on your computer, select it, and click Open, then click Yes each time it asks if you want to ignore an error.

Night Life:
d) Install Night Life from disc, Run as Administrator, install as an Advanced User, change the directory to C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Night Life.
e) Patch Night Life with the relevant TS2 Night Life Update Patch. If you have any trouble with it, use the Grumpy Loader.

Pets:
f) Install Pets from disc, Run as Administrator, install as an Advanced User, change the directory to C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets.
g) Patch Pets with the relevant TS2 Pets Update Patch. If you have any trouble with it, use the Grumpy Loader.

Step 2 = Remove Securom
Remove Securom (if you have installed Bon Voyage or later expansion packs/stuff packs).

Do not launch the game until after your No CD Patch is installed and has had the 4GB Patch applied to it (I didn't launch the game until Step 11).

Step 3 = No CD Patch
a) Go to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSBin\) and make a backup of your Sims2EP4.exe, by making a copy somewhere else on your computer.
b) Get a No CD exe for the disc you will play the game from (for me this will be Pets for now), and use it to replace your Sims2EP4.exe in (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSBin\).

Step 4 = 4GB Patch
Apply 4GB Patch to Game:
a) Move the No CD exe from (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSBin\) to your Desktop.
b) Use the 4GB Patch from here (https://ntcore.com/4gb-patch/) on the No CD exe, by double clicking to run it (or right clicking and choosing Run as Administrator, if double clicking does not work), then navigate to the No CD exe on your Desktop, select it, and click Open. A message will pop up saying the patch was successfully applied.
c) Move the No CD exe back to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSBin\).

Apply 4GB Patch to Bodyshop:
d) Go to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\CSBin\) and make a backup of your TS2BodyShop.exe, by making a copy somewhere else on your computer.
e) Move the Bodyshop exe from (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\CSBin\) to your Desktop.
f) Use the 4GB Patch on the Bodyshop exe, by double clicking to run it (or right clicking and choosing Run as Administrator, if double clicking does not work), then navigate to the TS2BodyShop exe on your Desktop, select it, and click Open. A message will pop up saying the patch was successfully applied.
g) Move the Bodyshop exe back to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\CSBin\).
h) Delete the Sims2Pets shortcut from your desktop, and make a shortcut to the No CD exe in (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSBin\) on your desktop instead.

Step 5 = Graphics Rules Maker
Use Graphics Rules Maker on the Game:
a) Go to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSData\Res\Config\GraphicsRules.sgr) and make a backup of your game GraphicsRules.sgr by making a copy somewhere else on your computer.
b) Download Graphics Rules Maker from here https://www.simsnetwork.com/tools/graphics-rules-maker, install it on your computer, right click and choose Run as Administrator, then set it up as follows:
Settings Tab
c) On the Settings tab, select The Sims 2 in the Game: drop down menu.
d) Make sure the filepath is correct in Path (mine is (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets)).
Device Info Tab
e) On the Device Info tab, make sure your dedicated graphics card is selected, and if not, change it to that one (I had to change it from Intel to Nvidia).
f) Next to In Database:, if it says No in red, click Add now..., which should change it so it says Yes in green.
Settings Tab Again
g) On the Settings tab, in the Game Tweaks box, click the Auto-detect button.
h) Make sure that the number in the Force Texture Memory box matches your graphics card (Display Memory in the Display tab for your dedicated graphics card (mine was on the Display 2 tab) in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool on your computer.
i) Untick Disable Sim Shadows.
j) If you have a dedicated graphics card, make sure High Quality on Intel Graphics and Support VSync on Intel are unticked (mine were ticked, so I had to untick them).
k) Untick Disable Dirty Rectangle optimisations.
l) Make sure the Default resolution: and Maximum resolution: match your laptop resolution (I got mine off my invoice for the laptop, it said 1920x1080, which was already selected for both, so I left them as that).
m) Click Save Files.

Use Graphics Rules Maker on Bodyshop:
n) Go to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSData\Res\CSConfig\GraphicsRules.sgr) and make a backup of your Bodyshop GraphicsRules.sgr by making a copy somewhere else on your computer.
o) Go to Graphics Rules Maker on your computer, right click and choose Run as Administrator, then set it up as follows:
Settings Tab
p) On the Settings tab, select The Sims 2 Body Shop in the Game: drop down menu.
q) Make sure the filepath is correct in Path (mine is (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets)).
Device Info Tab
r) On the Device Info tab, make sure your dedicated graphics card is selected, and if not, change it to that one (I had to change it from Intel to Nvidia again).
s) Next to In Database:, if it says No in red, click Add now..., which should change it so it says Yes in green.
Settings Tab Again
t) On the Settings tab, in the Game Tweaks box, click the Auto-detect button.
u) Make sure that the number in the Force Texture Memory box matches your graphics card.
v) If you have a dedicated graphics card, make sure High Quality on Intel Graphics and Support VSync on Intel are unticked (mine were ticked, so I had to untick them)
w) Untick Disable Dirty Rectangle optimisations.
x) Click Save Files.

Step 6 = Adjust your Windows Graphics Settings to use your Dedicated Graphics Card
My Graphics Card is Nvidia, so I followed the instructions in this link https://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=664659 and this link https://www.partitionwizard.com/par...integrated.html

Step 7 = Add the Sims 2 as an Exception in Data Execution Prevention on Windows 11
a) In the Control Panel on your computer, type perf into the search bar, then under the System menu that appears on the left, click on Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows, and make adjustments as follows:
b) Click on the Data Execution Prevention tab, Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select: should be already ticked.
c) Click on Add... and navigate to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSBin\), click on the Sims2EP4.exe, and click on Open, it will appear in the white box with a ticked box next to it on the left.
d) Click on Apply and then click on OK, to save your changes.

Step 8 = Protect Game Files from Windows Security/Antivirus/Malware (and also by other Antivirus and Malware protection you have (I have Avast and Malwarebytes))
Exclude Game Files from Windows Defender Antivirus:
a) From the Windows 11 Start Menu, go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Windows Security, then Virus & threat protection
b) Go to Manage Settings, then Add or Remove Exclusions at the bottom, then click Yes to the pop up.
c) Click +Add an exclusion and click Folder on the drop down menu that appears.
d) Navigate to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSBin\), highlight the folder and click Select Folder.

Exclude Game Files from Avast Antivirus:
e) Open Avast, go to Menu, go to Settings, then General, then Exceptions.
f) Click through the 3 dots menu explaining the risks, and click I Accept the Risk (or something similar, I forgot to get the exact name, and now I can't see it anymore).
g) Click ADD EXCEPTION and click File/Folder, then click the picture of a folder on the right of the search bar.
h) Navigate to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSBin\), highlight the folder, tick the TSBin folder and click OK, then click ADD.

Exclude Game Files from Malwarebytes:
i) Open Malwarebytes, go to Settings, then Scan and detections, then Allow list, then Configure.
j) Click Add item, then click File or folder, then tick Add a folder, then click Browse.
k) Navigate to (C:\Games\EA Games\The Sims 2 Pets\TSBin\), highlight the folder and click Select Folder, then tick Exclude from all detections, then click Save.[/I]

Step 9 = Set Up Empty Standby Memory to Avoid Pink Flashing
a) Download the Empty Standby List program from here (https://web.archive.org/web/2022092...y-standby-list/) and move it to somewhere safe on your computer, where it can stay and be run from.
b) Right click on the Empty Standby List exe, then click on Properties.
c) On the Compatibility tab, in the Settings box, tick Run this program as an administrator, then click on Apply, and then click on OK, to save your changes.
d) In the Windows search bar on your computer, type task sched into the search bar, then under the Task Scheduler menu that appears, tick Run as administrator.
e) Click on Create Task in the Actions menu on the right, a window will pop up, type Empty Standby List into Name, then set up each tab as follows:
General Tab
g) On the General tab, in the Security options box, click on Change User or Group..., then click on Advanced..., then click on Find Now.
h) In the window that opens, double click on SYSTEM in the Search results list, then click OK.
i) On the General tab, in the Security options box, tick the Run with highest privileges box and the Hidden box.
Triggers Tab
j) On the Triggers tab, click New..., then in the window that opens, in the Settings box, make sure On a schedule is selected in the Begin the task: drop down menu, and make sure One time is ticked under Settings.
k) In the Advanced Settings box, tick Repeat task every: and select 5 minutes in the drop down menu next to it, then select Indefinitely in the for a duration of: drop down menu, and make sure Enabled is ticked, then click OK.
Actions Tab
l) On the Actions tab, click New..., then in the window that opens, in the Action box, make sure Start a program is selected in the Action: drop down menu and click on Browse..., and navigate to the location where you saved the Empty Standby List exe, select it and click on Open, then click OK.
Conditions Tab
m) On the Conditions tab, untick Stop if the computer switches to battery power, and then untick Start the task only if the computer is on AC power
Settings Tab
n) On the Settings tab, tick Run task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed.
o) Tick If the task fails, restart every: and make sure 1 minute is selected in the drop down menu next to it, then change the number in the box next to Attempt to restart up to: from 3 to 5.
p) Untick Stop the task if it runs longer than:, then click OK, to save your changes.
q) You can now exit Task Scheduler.

Step 10 = Download Sim Shadow Fix
Download and install the Sim Shadow Fix from here https://modthesims.info/d/569585/si...d-2-jan-16.html (I chose Medium Shadows).

Step 11 = Change Graphics Settings in Game
a) Launch the game (I right clicked and chose Run as Administrator), then go to a Neighbourhood, and go to a Lot (house).
b) On the blue menu, click on the ... (Options) button, then Graphics/Performance Options, then set it up as follows:
Graphics/Performance Options Menu
c) Make sure Shadows, Lighting, Graphic Effects, Sim/Object Detail and Texture Detail are all set to High.
d) Make sure Reflections, UI Transparency (and Snow on Ground if you have it) are all set to On.
e) Make sure Square Pixels and Object Hiding are set to Off.
f) Select the Screen Size that matches your laptop resolution (mine is 1920x1080).
g) Pull the scroll bar in Smooth Edges down to the bottom (More).
h) Click Apply Changes (your screen will get bigger if you changed the Screen Size, this is fine).
i) On the blue menu, click on Game Options, then set it up as follows:
Game Options Menu
j) In the Display Custom Content Dialog at Startup box, select Off, then click on the Star/Flower, the Display Custom Content Dialog will open as a pop up, tick Enable Custom Content, then click on OK.
k) In the Lot View Options box, change View Distance to Extra Large, then change Clickable Neighbors and Fade Distance to Off.
l) On the blue menu, click on Camera Options, then set it up as follows:
Camera Options Menu
m) Change Snapshot Size and Video Capture Size to Large.
n) Change Snapshot Picture Quality and Video Capture Quality to High.
(For m) and n), I set mine to Medium, as I got a pop up saying those settings needed a high end computer, and I probably won't bother taking videos anyway.)
o) Exit the game.

Step 12 = Check 4GB Patch has worked
a) To make sure the 4GB Patch has worked (this can only be checked after launching the game), go to (Documents\The Sims 2\Lots\), and click on DESKTOP_______(7 numbers and letters which seem to be individual to your laptop)-config-log.
b) Under Machine Info, Memory: and Free Memory: will both say 4096MB, if the 4GB Patch has worked.

Step 13 = Play the Game to Test it
Play the game for about an hour (including visiting community lots), to make sure everything is working.

Step 14 = Disable Program Compatibility Assistant
On exiting the game, I got a Program Compatibility Assistant pop up on my laptop, saying Compatibility settings have been applied, with the options Run using compatibilty settings or Cancel, I clicked Cancel, as I have heard that Compatibility Mode can stop the game working.

To disable this:
a) In the Windows search bar on your computer, type services into the search bar, then under the Services menu that appears, click Run as administrator.
e) In the Services (Local) menu, on the Extended tab, scroll down to find Program Compatibilty Assistant Service, right click on it and click on Properties.
c) In the drop down menu next to Startup type:, select Disabled, then click Apply, then click OK.
d) You can now exit Services.

Step 15 = Troubleshooting (eg. if there is a Direct 9X Error, or Game Won't Start)
On loading the game, I got a pop up saying I had Uninstalled Open For Business (which is odd as I simply haven't installed it), I clicked OK and everything seemed fine.

I have found a reason and solution to this now, Tarlia's ReReleased Clean Strangetown (Tumblr 2018/2019) requires Open For Business. I have replaced this in my game with her Original Clean Strangetown (LiveJournal 2011), and I no longer get the pop up.

I hope this helps and you can now play your game!

This can be added to tutorials or mini-tutorials - @Charity may be able to help.