mitsu

Don't worry about the thumbnail file... It can re-create that. So long as your saved files aren't deleted, then it shouldn't be a problem.

If you are re-installing windows, make sure that you don't install it to the drive that you have your save files on. Disconnect that drive completely if possible, to avoid reinstalling windows (or whatever you're using) onto the drive you have your save files on... Then you should be able to reload your computer with no worries, then install the sims, then transfer your save files back to your primary drive. So if you have your re-loaded drive as drive C, and the hard drive where your save files are as drive D, disconnect drive D, reload drive C, install stuff, install the sims, reconnect drive D and move your save files back to drive C.

Should work with no problems. I can't imagine why save files would be assigned to a specific game... (such as the version of sims 2) and anyway, you are re-installing sims 2 with exactly the same registration codes as before... So nothing would be different... I would be careful, if you have installed expansion packs... Re-install all of those in the same order you did previously, so that any save files data is recognised.

Hope it works for you... :)