Forum Discussion

Hero (Retired)

Re: Launcher won't open - instead get 'not a valid Wins32 application'

You can not copy the game across as there are entries in the registry made by the installer among other things that happen during installation. Ts3w.exe is NOT a folder but an executable file. That file is copied from the installer library and renamed. Did you try each game as you installed them? If you can't find ts3w.exe either the installation is corrupt or your antivirus (AVG) tagged the file as a false positive. AVG has been known to do this. Windows 7 has a fire wall that is part of the operating system and does a pretty good job. Some time ago I had problems with AVG and stopped using it. Myself and others have switched to Microsoft Security Essentials. Gets the job done and seems to be well behaved (and is free). Is AVG up to date? Did AVG isolate the file? If AVG is isolating the file either you have to tell AVG the file is ok (restore - idk as I haven't used AVG for some time) or uninstall everything and use a registry cleaner like ccleaner from Piriform (there is a free version) and clean the registry, install the base game, patch test. If the game plays install the next released to market pack you own, patch, test. And so on.

1 Reply

diaura
Seasoned Novice
12 years ago
I'm still downloading the expansions. Takes forever and a day through Origin.
I have checked in AVG, the vault etc and it hasn't isolated any Sims 3 files. I will try in each expansion as it downloads. So far no luck, still no Ts3w.exe file. At the moment I have it opened through the Sims3Launcher file I found in under programs (x86). I created a shortcut to it. Opens in a cynch with that, just not when I click on the Island Paradise logo. I would be happy to stay with that and bypass the launcher altogether only I can't download from my account in the EA store.
Maybe once they are all installed I will need to uninstall and reinstall just the base game again. See how I go.
I did do some research in the forums on AVG and a lot of people seem to have problems with the 2013 update. Apparently it continually disconnects the internet. I have had the same problem. Once it runs out I will be moving on to another.
Thanks for your help 🙂