Sims2 backup not working

Hello
I searched the forum, but it seems no one has the same problem with using a sims2 backup as I have.
I'm au pair in London, and before coming here, I bought the sims2 and made a backup so as not having to take the originals with me. Trying to install teh game here, I found that the second disk was empty (don't ask me why, I checked after burning and it was NOT empty). Anyway, I downloaded the second disc, installed the game, downloaded the no-cd files from gcw and started the game. I tried every one of the no-cd's, but have the same problem with them: I can start the game, even the neighbourhoods, but there the problem starts: I have trees and bushes (or whatever it is supposed to be) made of newspaper - at least it looks that way. When I start a family or even just the tutorial, the game crashes. Could that be because of the 2nd disc? Because it didn't come with the other 3? Has anyone had the same problem?
I'm not particularly keen on asking one of my brothers to send me the second disc or make a copy of it to send me that...
Hope someone can help