Solved by re-installing the graphic card drivers via Control Panel -> Device Manager
easiest fix as noted throughout this post - install Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013. very quick. I am running Windows 10, and this worked for me.
first, close out of Origin- then do the steps below.
1.open your list of installed programs in control panel. check to see which of the visual studio redist packages you have installed. you will probably have (x86).
2.you will go to Microsoft web site, download center. select Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013 as above.
3. when you click the download button, there will be a list of packages to install. pick (x64) if it wasn't in your program list from step 1.
4. follow the instructions to download/install. when its done, open origin, and the problem should be fixed.
c0ld_jack, thanks you for your clear instructions - this seems to have fixed the issue for me. much appreciated
