Since installing IP, can't play any games

[shibamistress]

I just bought the disc version of IP, and installed it.  Everything went smoothly, I thought.  Loaded the game, chose start new game, and got to the "choose household" part, and could select a household, but when I hit the arrow to play, absolutely nothing happens.  The game is not frozen per se:  I can choose a different household, but still, if I hit the arrow to play, nothing happens (though the arrow is greyed out).

Tried moving in a family from another game, and that doesn't even work either.  I tried other towns--same problem.  So I uninstalled and reinstalled just that EP, and still have the same problem. 

Do you think I need to do a complete reinstall of all the games then?  Or other ideas?

I had no problems at all with my games before the updating and installing this EP.

[Wai]

I think this is the same problem that I have.

If it is, you need to bypass Origin, and stay logged out until you have your household started.  After which, you can load you game normally.

To by pass origin.  You need to create a shortcut on your desktop.
Right click on the desktop and select new.
Select shortcut
Select browse.
Locate the TS3SP10 file and then, I think it is OK. It confirms this. 
The shortcut for TS3SP10 will appear on the desktop.
Use this to load the game and do not connect.

You will have to use this shortcut every time you want to start a new family.

[shibamistress]

I think this is the same problem that I have.

If it is, you need to bypass Origin, and stay logged out until you have your household started.  After which, you can load you game normally.

To by pass origin.  You need to create a shortcut on your desktop.
Right click on the desktop and select new.
Select shortcut
Select browse.
Locate the TS3SP10 file and then, I think it is OK. It confirms this. 
The shortcut for TS3SP10 will appear on the desktop.
Use this to load the game and do not connect.

You will have to use this shortcut every time you want to start a new family.

So glad I saw this before I uninstalled and reinstalled!  I'l try this first.  Since I don't like to have to have the disc each time I play, I do use that short cut usually.....I just didn't last night.  So I'll try it and report back!

edited to add:  that did solve the problem, and also made the game load quicker.  Before, it was taking forever to even get to the menu (so the game was slow to start, not on opening a save file, but just opening the game period). 

Thanks for your help!