Expansion packs (various) - "update failed" error during install
So, in case any other poor soul has this problem, or in case EA wants to go ahead and take note of this and perhaps FIX THIS PROBLEM so other users don't encounter it -
Here is what we did to finally fix it. In case you're counting, I worked on this maybe two whole hours on Friday, a solid TEN HOURS of my Saturday, and finally, finally it's done.
We manually uninstalled EVERYTHING. All expansions, Sims 3 base game, EADM, Origin - EVERYTHING. Then, we reinstalled using the discs, and got as far as we could with the disc updates and installations until one finally said "update failed" again - this time, I think it was Showtime, not that it matters at this point.
Once we got the "update failed" error message, we downloaded the newest version of Origin, installed it, and then IN ORIGIN, went to the Origin menu, chose "Redeem Product Code" (first option in the Origin menu), and entered the product keys for Every Single Expansion Pack we own. Once those were all entered, we used our friend's super-fast, wonderful internet to download the expansion packs we hadn't been able to install because of that whole "update failed" error. Then we used the Sims 3 launcher to patch the game.
And then, hurray, FINALLY, it worked. I've successfully moved our saved games back into the proper location, started the game, loaded a saved game, everything is working wonderfully.
But seriously, EA - some of your LOYAL, MONEY-PAYING customers don't have decent internet connections, and every single last one of your customers deserve to not be forced to jump through these hoops. We really, really, REALLY should not have to haul our entire computer system to a friend's house to download the expansion packs for which we have purchased installation discs. This is just simply ridiculous and unacceptable. It should not be easier to pirate your games than it is to install them from the discs. Please, please, PLEASE address this problem.
I hope you're listening, EA, because I will definitely be taking this experience into account when I consider whether or not to buy any further expansion packs or any other games that you publish.
