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ss658a6bbq0v
New Rookie
3 months ago
Solved

"Seeking Assistance: EA Launcher Prevents Game Launch Despite Valid Key"

Hello,

 I have been struggling with a launcher error on my game for years and can you please help me?My computer and game are completely clean and I just installed the latest update to add and play the Supernatural expansion.Now I am stuck between two options: return the game or switch to a more suitable digital version - or just ask EA to repair it under their support. But then my internet ran out.I was told to find and delete old,non-working files or hidden files in the game folder - they were still there even in 2024 and I still don't know what they were.But the game is 20GB in total and my internet ran out due to problems and reinstalls during the repair attempts.Even EA can't fix the launcher error - how do I find a different launcher?

1.EA referred me here for help without considering any conditions or offering any direct assistance. They said this forum is the only place and way to get support.

2.For my own safety,I never download mods, APKs,or similar files through my browser,and all of my games are original.I manually deleted everything that could be safely removed,which took me two full days.Kindly, I want to ask: "If this game cannot run without a launcher and the version number appears as 0.0.0, how is EA still able to install it with an active internet connection? Could you explain that?"

3.So,what kind of research or process led to the game getting broken like this?What faulty routine or human error could have damaged the game?Why did the launcher error last occur with EA’s 1.69 version?Can you help identify the issue?If the game wasn’t genuine,why was it recognized as a product?Didn’t we take the utmost care of our product code?Was there a previous faulty installation?Then why were we told the game could be fixed?Is this covered under warranty or not?Can subscribers be assisted? I want to learn from experienced people—is this a mistake, and if so,whose mistake is it?

And of course,

 We’ve done nothing but continue to love and support these games—so why,when we could once activate our products with a standard old CD key,can we no longer receive full service and proper answers to our questions?

  • ss658a6bbq0v​  Okay, let me know how you're going to install.  If you want to try a disc-only install but don't know whether it'll help, you can tell me that too.  But don't delete anything yet either way.

9 Replies

  • ss658a6bbq0v​  Did you originally download Sims 3 through the EA App, or did you use a disc to install the game first?  What error are you getting when you try to play, other than the launcher showing version 0?

    Unless you have discs, you will probably need to clean-uninstall and reinstall the game, not just manually removing the files but using an app to find hidden ones for you.  But unless you have a way to get internet access on your computer right now, it sounds like that will have to wait.

  • ss658a6bbq0v's avatar
    ss658a6bbq0v
    New Rookie
    3 months ago

    I'm feeling vulnerable about a CD game that no longer works. It might seem small, but it means a lot to me. The conflicting advice from AI and support has only made things more confusing. I still hope there's a way to fix it.

    I trust my computer, but I’ve started focusing on other things. I even thought about using an old Microsoft update made for classic games, something that wouldn’t harm the system but might help. Still, how can I delete files that aren’t meant to be deleted?

    The CD is clean and original, just used. The last version I had was 1.69. Back then, I couldn’t even make an EA account. Now I have one, and I enjoy The Sims 4 as much as The Sims 3.

    The more I try, the more I realize how fragile my hope is. It’s hard to believe in a solution when a 0.0.0 version turns into gigabytes of data, then updates into 1.69—or maybe 1.70—without any clear explanation.

    The Sims 4 folder is clean now, but there are still some folders with strange names that don’t end with “3” or don’t clearly belong. If they can’t be deleted—or if I'm just imagining the risk—I still hesitate. Maybe because they feel like the last pieces of something I’m not ready to let go of.🥺

  • ss658a6bbq0v​  Version 0 means the launcher can't read the version, which usually means some missing data that's critical for the game to work.  An all-disc install can be repaired without the EA App, but if you were running patch 1.69 before, that means you have an EA App install and would need to repair through the App, OR do a clean uninstall and reinstall via disc without using the App at all.  The latter is only possible if your base game disc was manufactured prior to September 2012, as the newer ones were built to require Origin (now the EA App) in order to install.

    Patch 1.70 is the 64-bit Mac version.

    For the folders you're not sure about, feel free to post screenshots, and if I know what they are, I'll let you know.  Include the address bar, above the list of files and folders, in the screenshots.

  • ss658a6bbq0v's avatar
    ss658a6bbq0v
    New Rookie
    3 months ago

     I understand that support for older physical versions of games may be limited today, and sometimes technical issues are considered to be on the user's side. Still, I truly appreciate your explanations—they’ve helped me see things from a different perspective. I'm not here to place blame, but I do wonder: if certain files are said to be protected or undeletable, how can I check whether anything is missing or incomplete? And if official tools or platforms aren’t working properly, what alternatives do I have to restore or repair such content?

     It’s been mentioned that even with correct installation and original content, some elements might still need to be restored or completed. In that case, are there any platforms or tools available that could help with older software in a reliable and safe way? Or were you referring to other methods for cleaning or fixing these issues?

     Thank you again for taking the time to explain everything clearly.🍀🕊

  • ss658a6bbq0v​  For a disc-only install, with no EA App involvement, you can still use the Super Patch, made by EA to manually update the game to 1.67, the newest version number for discs.  This tool also works as a repair method, replacing some files that are missing or corrupt.  I don't believe it fixes missing or broken registry entries though.

    It's a large download, at something like 1.7 GB, but not as large as the game itself.  If you're planning on maintaining an all-disc install, I'd keep the tool around for general maintenance.

    For EA App installs, the App can repair the game, but that doesn't fix registry issues either.

    There's no pefect way to fix this issue, unfortunately, but I can offer potential workarounds for either scenario if you only have limited data going forward.

  • ss658a6bbq0v's avatar
    ss658a6bbq0v
    New Rookie
    3 months ago

    Yes,plaese.I love this game and its style.What I want to say is that I trust this game platform a lot for all these types of games.I want to continue with the same trust in my heart.Thank you for your help.🕊

  • ss658a6bbq0v​  Okay, let me know how you're going to install.  If you want to try a disc-only install but don't know whether it'll help, you can tell me that too.  But don't delete anything yet either way.

  • ss658a6bbq0v's avatar
    ss658a6bbq0v
    New Rookie
    3 months ago

    I've upgraded to a good tablet for drawing, so now I need a device that can read discs. I'm planning to buy a USB CD drive for my computer so I can try out the ideas you've suggested. I'm using a computer that may not be new, but it's at least as capable as my tablet.

  • ss658a6bbq0v​  I would suggest borrowing one first, if you have a friend or family member who has an external disc drive.  I've heard stories about the occasional drive not working with Sims 3 discs, although it's rare.  If the one you borrow works, you could buy it off its current owner, or buy the same model, without worrying about whether it'll work.  There's also a way to get around using the disc each time you play if you don't want to damage the discs.

    Anyway, most of this is a moot point until you're actually installing.  The one important step to do before you start is a clean uninstall of Sims 3, which you can do as described here:

    [Read First] Running Sims 3 in Windows | EA Forums - 8323446

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