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tahjalafaelee's avatar
tahjalafaelee
2 years ago

Can't install the Sims 3 (Discs) without Origin, but Origin no longer exists?

Hello, I am new here and am struggling to install my Sims 3 discs. 

I haven't played for a good 12+ years but have kept them. I did used to play on origin but have only gotten back into the sims this year on the EA app. (Mainly playing Sims 4 that I brought in the online store). I'm not very tech smart and maybe these discs are now outdated and unusable, but I thought if I just put the disc into a external drive it would start up and I would be able to install and play. I own the base game of TS3 and a lot expansion/game packs (13 or so). I haven't tried to install any of those as I can't manage to get past the base game installation. 

In the disc case, I have kept the 20 digit serial number/booklets and all of these games I brought 10+ years ago from the store. (No receipts but they would've be connected to my origin account) 

Now onto what's happening. I've put the disc into the drive and it begins its automatic start up/set up, tells me to install origin, I install origin then origin asks me to install EA app, I "install" but it just takes me back to my homepage on the EA app and nothing else is prompted. I search sims 3 on the EA app and it wants me to purchase it for $30. I would attach more screen shots but I'm not quite sure how to do that. My current laptop is a MSi GL65 Leopard 10SCXR and I think I have Windows 10 installed but I'm not sure how to check, I'm sorry. 

Can anyone advise what to do? Is there any way to install the base game and all my expansion packs? I tried to look for answers online but I'm hoping maybe someone here could tell me in laymen terms as I wasn't understanding what I was reading. 

Thanks a lot for your patience in reading this, I do really appreciate any advice.

pc
technical issues

1 Reply

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @tahjalafaelee  If these product codes were ever registered, either in Origin or on the Sims 3 Store site, then you should be able to download your content from the EA App.  The fact that the App is asking you to buy the game again suggests that you may have used a different email address when registering the content, but please check this account for your expansions and stuff packs in case the problem is only the base game.

    You can also check your Order History on ea.com for evidence of past registrations.  They'd look something like this:

    As you can see, there's nothing to say which content was registered.  But EA support can use the order number to look up the details.  SC0 simply means I didn't pay anything—this was a disc copy I registered on the Store site.

    If you can't download your content, whether you're using the correct EA account or not, you'll need to contact customer support.  Take screenshots of the Order History info if you have it, and/or take a photo for each disc showing the disc itself, the case, and the product code (clearly readable).  You can upload these when you submit the help request.

    I would strongly recommend using live chat rather than email.  If you don't see the option, try this link:

    https://help.ea.com/en/help-contact-us/?product=the-sims-3&topic=missing-game&category=manage-my-account&subcategory=find-missing-game

    Make sure you're signed into an EA site (this one is fine) before clicking the link and that the location in the lower-right corner of the browser window is set to U.S. or U.K.

    If you find you didn't register some of the codes, you can do so now, but I would suggest holding off until you're sure you're in the right account.  EA support can merge accounts, but the process doesn't always work as intended and therefore should be avoided when possible.

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