Hi :)
I'm not updated to 1.69 so I haven't got any of the problems. What is the "Social banner" thing?
1.69 is an update and I don't think it has anything to do with which year you got your game on origin. I believe it was the disk game and not being updated to 1.69 which didn't give CAW problems I remember reading about. I just don't really know/remember anything. :(
I checked and found some info on a patch for 1.69 but I don't know if you used it or if it will help but it's a try.
https://simsvip.com/2016/01/06/sims-3-new-game-patch-includes-create-a-world-fix/
