i've just d/l (the sims) and i've set up the game and no how to play it in classic mode but i dont know how to get the game started with out a CD can any one help...

You'll need to buy a CD, or burn one from a backup. Not sure if you can just mount an image of a backup, like you can in OS X..

If this is an illegally downloaded copy, we can't help you. It's against the board rules..

thank you for your post...i've made a cd and is working alright but when i start the game now i get a box with (error code =17) could you help me with this problem, if not point me in the right way maby...again thanks for your help

Maybe use the original CD?

Might want to see this:
http://macosx.com/tech-support/mac-os-x-3-error-code-17-while-trying-to-runsims/6637.html

i've emailed the help desk from the sims..and there was no help what so ever..in fact they told me to have a nice day...i've seen on diffrent forum the same prob (errorcode=17) goes back years (post at 2001)

i used to play the sims on my old pc years back. great game - but the disk ended up wearing out and not working from scratches etc. i had tried using a burnt copy and got the same problem - the game requires an original disk to start (unless u can find a crack somewhere...)