Hello,
I thought I'd tag onto this message rather than create a new one.
I don't have Norton but I do have avast!. However I've tried to run the game with avast! turned off and no joy.
Here's a run-down of my situation:
OS: Windows 8.1 64bit
CPU: i7-3770 @3.40GHz (not overclocked)
RAM: 8Gb
Graphics card: NVidia GeForce GTS450
Installed game content: Base game, all Stuff packs, all Expansions, some Store worlds, a few assorted custom content characters and objects.
I bought Into the Future yesterday and installed it (the game had me update to the most recent patch to allow this, which it did slowly but without apparent error). ItF installed smoothly; I then left it overnight as other issues called me away from my PC. This morning I sat down and started the launcher.
The launcher responded slowly but it did respond. After a sluggish load it showed all Expansions and Stuff Packs are recognised, the game is patched and up to date (showing game version: 1.63.4.024017). It connects to my Origin account, shows my profile picture, shows my current Sims Store points. It correctly detects and displays all custom content (both user-created and store content; all incentive items, for example). I was not asked to uninstall anything prior to ItF installing; I merely had to patch the game and the Launcher was satisfied.
Pressing the Play button causes the launcher to quit (as it usually does) but after that nothing happens - at all. No loading screen, no screen flickers, no splash video. No frozen or otherwise 'borked' programs show up in Task Manager.
I have tried: removing mods; removing the entire Mods folder; running without custom content; running with custom content; shaking my fist at the screen threateningly; turning off avast!; running a full virus scan over the system; restarting the system; prowling the forums for some indication of what I might be doing wrong; checking dxDiag despite not really knowing what I'm looking for (the text file from dxDiag can be found here).
I have not tried: uninstalling anything (because I'd really rather not if it's not necessary).
Hoping the above detail helps, and any advice is appreciated.