How to install Sims 3 when the InstallShield Wizard process freezes?

Do you have the disk or the download version ?

I have the disk.

Are there any scratches on the disk ? Try cleaning the disk.

How far along does it install (about) ?

No scratches on disk.  I cleaned it with soft cd cloth to make sure.  It completes the copying process, and then it will not autorun.  If I go into My computer to click on the Sims3setup.exe icon, it wants to start...but the InstallShield Wizard freezes.

Hm. Maybe a conflict with another software you have on your computer ?

Do you have any disk emulators installed ?

You could try if the download version works (you can download the game for free from Origin if you have the disk)

I also tried to manually copy of the files on the Sims 3 disk to my desktop and then select the Sims3setup.exe....this also caused InstallShield Wizard to freeze.  It begins with asking me what language, when I hit next the process freezes.

Have you tried choosing a different language, just for fun to see if that installs ?

No disc emulators that I know of.  Should I uninstall Sims 3 before going ahead with the free Origin version of Sims 3?

Also, would I have to do this with the other expansion packs for Sims 3?

Just tried with French and Spanish....same results = freezes.

I thought it doesn't install ?

But yes, remove anything that's on there, backup any user data and then install the Origin version. You can try install the disk version of the EPs. You can mix and match.