Re-installing without patching, what will I lose?

[Noodles]

I'm planning to re-install everything, only doing the game updates prompted by the Installing program, but not downloading the patch from launcher.
By these updates I mean the ones that are necessary to install another EP (it gives a notification when you start the install), the patch itself is not required I assume (at least you can choose not to install it and start the game, I did not try this the last time I reinstalled).

So what problems to expect? Are there any? Will the game run without the patch?
I know I won't have memories or dates (and the romantic reputation thing) that were introduced in the lates patch. But I don't mind.
I have all EPs except Generations. Since the patch WA has been 100% nonplayable for me, no matter how many test games or test travels I have done, I always get the bug that messes my whole household, or just the photography skill if I'm "lucky". So my goal is just to be able to play all EPs at least somehow stable (the earlier familytree bug was rare and I never got it), can I achieve this with reinstall without patching?

[PJSim]

Will the game run without the patch?

By "the patch" do you mean only the most recent patch released around the same time as Generations?
If so, then yes. You should be able to do fine without any patches released after your latest EP.

Install the game and EP's in chronological order and allow the Installer to patch when it needs to. When everything is installed just don't allow the launcher to download the latest patch like it wants to.

I'm not sure what game version you actually end up with by doing this so you might need to apply an older patch manually, I'm not sure about that.
Check out this thread for help with that:
http://www.carls-sims-3-forum.com/index.php?topic=4313.0

And here's a list of the patch versions:
http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sims_3/patch

You could also try manually patching WA, some say it helps.

[Noodles]

Thanks for the help, PJSim. Yes, I meant that most recent patch.

You could also try manually patching WA, some say it helps.

Do you mean it has helped someone with the recent bugs, introduced in the Generations patch? Because if it's the latest patch, and I have it and my game is up to date, is there really another patch I could manually install to fix anything? I think I read somewhere about manual patching via EA's site. I must check that out, thanks for the tip.

(By the way, I read your topic about installing WA from disc vs. digital download, but I must say it doesn't make it any better in my case, I only have it on the disc but can't escape this bug. I'm glad it worked with your game, tho.

[MarianT]

Noodles, I did that. I uninstalled, then re-installed to Late Night. I don't have any stuff packs. I've had a few glitches since then, but in Random Wishmasters could send my sims on vacation 6 or 7 times before coming home to clones. They could even take photographs. I am thinking about updating to the latest patch when EA comes out with the next one, however.

To answer your question, you'll lose memories, chest hair, dates, and some children-themed wallpaper. Oh, and I can't download the free stuff I got for uploading memories. But I'm glad I did, because I have much less anxiety, especially about the challenges.

[Noodles]

Noodles, I did that. I uninstalled, then re-installed to Late Night. I don't have any stuff packs. I've had a few glitches since then, but in Random Wishmasters could send my sims on vacation 6 or 7 times before coming home to clones. They could even take photographs. I am thinking about updating to the latest patch when EA comes out with the next one, however.

To answer your question, you'll lose memories, chest hair, dates, and some children-themed wallpaper. Oh, and I can't download the free stuff I got for uploading memories. But I'm glad I did, because I have much less anxiety, especially about the challenges.

Ooh sweet!  I must do this, too. When they release a new patch, I'll give it a chance, but as it is now my game is just too messed up. It worked pretty well until this patch, and I'd welcome any minor bugs back with open arms to get rid of this WA mess. Thanks so much for sharing this, MarianT.

But now I have another question. I have a family that has collected some memories. Will I be able to play that same family with all the actual EPs installed but without the patch? Like, will the memory book just disappear with no harm done or will the save file get messed up somehow?

[PJSim]

Well, I don't know but my guess is it should work.
Make a backup of that game before you do anything (you need to back up all your savegames before uninstalling anyway). If it turns out you can't play it without the latest patch, you can patch your game or wait for the next patch and your family should work again.
Actually the next one will probably be released in just a couple of weeks along with Town Life so depending on how impatient you are, you could just wait and see if that patch makes it better.

Do you mean it has helped someone with the recent bugs, introduced in the Generations patch?

Yes, some say that manually patching WA helps with those bugs, some say it doesn't. Either way it won't do any harm to try it first before you go to all the trouble of reinstalling.

Because if it's the latest patch, and I have it and my game is up to date, is there really another patch I could manually install to fix anything?

Well, maybe.
The thing is that if you look at this list of patches: http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sims_3/patch (scroll down a little) EA releases a patch for every EP and SP, but if you patch through the launcher it only patches the base game and the most recent EP/SP. Meaning it doesn't patch WA.

You should read through this thread about patching if you want to understand it better, BellaClo has a better handle on this than I do. Also she links to a thread on the EA forum where you can download all patches.