Six months ago I bought The Sims Deluxe Edition. This worked until I installed The Sims Hot Date Expansion Pack. The game goes through the usual loading process but then returns to the desktop.

We should first go through the basics. Firstly, close all non-essential programs running in the background. Once you have closed all visible applications, use CTRL-ALT-DEL to close all processes except ’systray’ and ‘explorer’. If you continue to have problems, then the issue may be slightly more problematic. I have read reports that the Hot Date CD incorporates new copy-protection measures, which are incompatible with older CD and CD-R/W drives. I am unable to confirm this statement, since I have not had problems installing the Hot Date Expansion Pack. However, I would welcome feedback from any other readers who can confirm or deny this statement. Unfortunately I don’t have any other suggestions.