Game Will Not Install *Fixed!!*

[Sonshine]

Hi, I'm having an horrible time here. I've asked in the EA forums and nobody there seems to know, I've tried contacting EA, but that page just hangs and doesn't go anywhere. This whole thing started when I wanted to play w/ITF. I had disabled it for a challenge b/c of a bug. When I went to play it the other night I tried to re-enable it and the game was lit up in the Selector, but any of my games using ITF were still grayed out. Nothing would work. I noticed that I hadn't installed Monte Vista yet, so I tried, but even that didn't succeed. It goes through the installation process except the interface for entering the key code will not come up. I completely and thoroughly uninstalled my game last night including cleaning all instances of the game files from the registry thinking that if I get a fresh start w/o the selector, that would help. It didn't help. Now I can't even get the base game installed!! The same thing happened that it did w/Monte Vista. It goes through the process w/o the key code and naturally, when I tried starting the Launcher, it crashed immediate which I expected.  One lady advised me to turn off all of my antivirus software and firewalls, but just am uncomfortable in doing that and it probably wouldn't work anyway. Are there any computer experts here who might know what's going on and why the game won't install? Thanks!

[MrsFlynn]

Hi Sonshine,

I don't think they necessarily meant to turn off your antivirus software and firewalls. They most likely were meaning to whitelist them. So the firewall and Antivirus software don't think Sims 3 is a virus or something along those lines.

As I've heard of that happening - the antivirus program thinking Sims 3 was a virus, when it's not. I completely understand you not wanting to mess with that!!

Anyway, I did some research on the problem and have something for you to try:

I'm assuming you want to go with the origin patch version 1.69? If so, go with the instructions listed below. If you're wanting to go with patch level 1.67 (disc version) try these instructions listed in this thread.

Sims 3 - Uninstall/Reinstall - Origin version 1.69

1. Go to the Origin Games folder and click on Sims3Setup.exe.
2. When it gives you the option, do a custom install and direct it to install to C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\The Sims 3
3. Now open up Origin and you will see that instead of saying "install", it now says "Play".  Click on that.
4. Run the FordGT90Concept's Patcher - http://modthesims.info/d/409829
** It will install the patches for the earliest games that got left out of the super patch and help it work better.
5. Run the game to make sure things are going okay. If so, go to step 6.
6. If you have expansions/stuff packs to install, exit and restart Origin and then download and install your expansions and stuff packs.


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Reference Links:

The solution to your problem is HERE:
http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/quot-Origin-won-t-install-The-Sims-3-quot-THE-SOLUTION/m-p/1403740#U1403740

Error During Startup
http://sims3.crinrict.com/en/2011/03/error-there-was-an-error-during-startup.html

[Sonshine]

Hi Mrs Flynn! Since I completely uninstalled the game and all files associated w/it, I do not have a sims3setup.exe file in my Origins or my Origin Games folders. If I completely uninstall Origin and re-d/l it, will that mess up S4?

[MrsFlynn]

No uninstalling Origin and reinstalling it shouldn't hurt Sims 4.

You can also try installing Sims 3 via Origin using the instructions below:

Sims 3 - Uninstall/Reinstall - Origin version 1.69
https://help.ea.com/en/article/the-sims-3-expansion-pack-guide/#getting-started

I'd still recommend to run the FordGT90Concept's Patcher - http://modthesims.info/d/409829
** It will install the patches for the earliest games that got left out of the super patch and help it work better.

EA Customer Service may not speak about this patch, due to them not being allowed to talk about 3rd party patches.

This patch is something we've used every time we've had to reinstall Sims 3 in recent years, along with running Ccleaner too. But it sounds like you've already done that.

[Sonshine]

No, I've not run the cc cleaner. Once I manage to get the base game installed, I can run the mod to get the patches. I'll work on uninstalling and re-installing Origin and try to go from there. I must say this is the first time I've ever had any sims game fail to install! Not sure about that game selector.

[MrsFlynn]

Ah okay. I thought you had mentioned you had run Ccleaner.  I'd recommend running it and it's registry cleaner after you uninstall the game and Origin.

The game selector gets installed with the Origin Sims 3 game patch 1.69. From what I understand if you have the digital/download version there's no way to avoid that patch.

However, you can choose not to use the game selector.

[Sonshine]

No, I followed the instructions to manually clean the registry. I went to the CCleaner site. Which one do you recommend, the free one or the $25 one?

[MrsFlynn]

You can go with the free version:
- http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download  -- PC
- https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download?mac -- Mac

How to use CCleaner to fix PC issues
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-CCleaner

[Sonshine]

ok, that's good to know. I wasn't sure b/c of their list of features. Thanks!

[MrsFlynn]

As for the game code being skipped, I asked Hubby about it and he said the keys for the digital/download version are stored in the Windows registry. So, that's why it is skipping the game code entry when you're installing the game - it uses those keys even though you may be installing it from disc.

If you're installing it from Origin: It should automatically know that you've registered your Sims 3 and expansions/stuff packs and should show up under My Games tab

1. Load Origin and click on the My Games tab.
2. Mouse over Sims 3 and Click the little i (for more details) This is where you should be able to find the expansions and stuff packs you have installed or have to install.

[Sonshine]

Sorry about that! I just removed the post b/c I made it immediately after the installation started. I just assumed that it wouldn't install properly b/c it never asked for a key code. This must be something new. Anyway, I just d/led the patch and started the base game. I'm going to go to MTS and d/l the FordGT90Concepts patch.

One question though now that I'm on that page. Is it compatible w/the super patch 1.69?

[MrsFlynn]

Okay, that is a great to know the game is working better!! Yay!! Yes, Ford's patch is compatible with patch 1.69.

[Sonshine]

Thanks!

[Sonshine]

Now this is weird! I just started installing WA and it *did* ask for the key code, lol

[MrsFlynn]

As far as I can tell it shouldn't be asking for a game code. You may be able to skip this step if you have already registered the game via Origin. Or at least that's what I've read and experienced with the games purchased/registered with Origin.

You may need to go to your My Games tab. Go up to the Origin Menu > Reload My Games. This may help Origin find that you have registered the games?

I did a search on the problem and found these links just in case they maybe of help:

Redeem your serial key or product code in Origin
http://help.ea.com/en/article/redeem-your-serial-code-in-origin/

How to Register Sims 3 and get all game content and redeem bonus content
https://help.ea.com/en/article/how-to-register-the-sims-3/