Hey Esther1981
Glad you've got internet connectivity again.
According to a EA technical support rep I e-mailed back and forth with a few times in mid-February (after I installed
High-End Loft Stuff), the "Launcher" application (in-and-of itself) doesn't
require internet connectivity to work.
That said, I know there are times EA's semi-contorted implementation of the Launcher application can cause it to freeze up and go "bazonkers" checking for internet connectivity. It'll get "stuck" checking, and unless you can cancel the process it may never pop up the "start" button so you can just play the Sims3. Of course, since the Launcher's not displaying anything to you while it's back there knocking on the internet's door, nothing seems to be going on.
I'm glad you found the work-around here, and it's nice to type to you.
-- Happytime