@StrangeAngels Can you please provide a bit more info about this issue? Are you running Windows or macOS, and which version? What kind of install is this? (Origin, Steam, disc with Origin tie-in) There are different ways to troubleshoot the issue, depending on the details.
Edit: I just saw your more recent post, so I merged them. Given the situation, it's best to start with a clean uninstall of both TS3 and Origin. Clear Origin's cache and then uninstall it "the hard way," as described in these articles:
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/origin/origin/manually-uninstalling-origin/
Uninstall Sims 3 as well, and then clean your computer's registry of all TS3-related entries. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, you can use a free app like Piriform's CCleaner. If you have saves you'd like to keep, remove your entire TS3 game folder from Documents and rename it so it doesn't have the words "The Sims 3" in it. You can put its contents back later.
Redownload Origin, and then download the Sims 3 base game only. Don't put your content back yet; just launch it to test. If you get an error again, another screenshot like the one you provided would be great. If you can't install either Origin or TS3, try disabling your antivirus/firewall temporarily. If this is the problem, you can always set exceptions for Origin.exe and TS3.exe later.
Thank you Puzzleaddict for getting back to me with a prompt reply. I thought I'd posted one of the posts in the wrong section and I couldn't find where to remove it.
As for the problem, I have found it to be the Sims 3 launcher that is giving the error.
I have already done as you advised previous to your reply, by deleting cache,and also program file paths were removed, regedit entries were removed, also appdata entries and every other trace from the pc. I used cc cleaner after removing everything and made sure all drivers, and security including windows updates were all up to date.
The previous image I sent was after I did all this. I have even issued a report to Origin over their latest update and also sent a report in from an email they sent me.
Because I thought to try all options and realised it could be additional content maybe causing the problems due to the update after reading many other peoples problems with different games also over this current update.
But I will do all this again and get back to you when i have with an updated image.
I have now taken 2 screenshots of images so you can see time and date of when I downloaded the latest origin update client version and was about to install Sims 3 without additional content.
I have done that now and tried to play it,
The second image shows that it still saying the same error as before..
@StrangeAngels Thanks for the information. I was hoping one of the suggestions would help, but it's still good to know they didn't.
Do you have an antivirus or firewall that could be blocking a proper install? You can disable it temporarily, just long enough to install the base game. If that works, just set exceptions for Origin.exe and TS3.exe.
It looks from your screenshot like you don't have Origin Access. Did you before? Even if you own the game outright, it's possible that an expired Access subscription is causing issues. I ask because someone else with the same problem, and the same version 0 showing in the launcher, does have Access.
Anyway, if it's not your antivirus/firewall that's causing the problem, let me know, and I'll pass this along to one of the EA community managers in the morning.
Hello Puzzledirect, I didn't ever have a problem with antivirus all this time, but if the current update says I need to add an exception I will do. Also is it necessary for me to have to pay to play Sims3 via something called Access? This I've not got and wondered if this is the thing now?
@StrangeAngels You don't need to buy an Access subscription to play Sims 3. If you don't already own it, you can use Access to play TS3 and many other games, but that's different from owning the game outright.
Origin has frequent updates, and often enough, one of them creates an incompatibility with an antivirus or firewall. These programs also have updates, often tightening restrictions and blocking certain Orign features they previously allowed.
Anyway, please let me know whether temporarily disabling the antivirus helps, and I'll ask someone from EA about this issue.
