Aright honey I have finally found the solution for this error. Do these steps very carefully and then please pass it on
I have struggled with this for about week trying to figure it out and I finally did, it doesn't involve anything with "cracks" or "mods".
1. open up C;\ program files(x86)\origin games\the sims 3
2.right click "the sims 3" folder
3.select copy
4.make a new folder in the Origin Games folder titled "the sims 3 copy" or something that says its a copy, it really doesn't matter as long as you make another folder so you don't get confused where and what it is.
5.right click and click paste in the new folder you made
6. in your "the sims 3" copy folder (NOT the orignal Sims 3 folder, otherwise you will mess up the files) you just made, find these two files "TS3.ex_" and "Sims3Launcher.ex_".
7.Change both of these files by renaming them to "TS3.exe" and "Sims3Launcher.exe"
8.Move both of these newly name changed files into your original "The Sims 3" folder
9.Instead of clicking the launcher to play the sims simply click the file "TS3.exe" to start the game.
I have been having the same problem so I tried vladymiria's solution - it didn't work ☹️
After that I just went into "the sims 3" folder (not the copy folder)
> Computer > OS ( C: ) > Program Files > Origin Games > The Sims 3 > Game > Bin
Found the TS3.ex_ and simply changed that to TS3.exe (it prompts telling you if you change the file name it may not work correctly, do you still want to change?) Say yes....of course. The icon changes - double click and it worked.
I won't have a chance to play until tomorrow so I don't know if there are any glitches, I'll let you know.
I also have to add, it took a few seconds to start up - I didn't think it worked at first but after about 10 seconds it started.
my file was already named TS3.exe and I am getting the same error message.
i had this same problem, no solutions worked. then i discovered the problem is in the registry! the base game entry in the registry is pointing to the wrong location! i also recommend you note down the location that it thinks its in becuz your update files will probably be there and you'll have to move them manually!
i think the update patcher does this if your game is installed anywhere other than the default location which is C:\Program Files (x86)\Electronic Arts\Sims 3 if i remember correctly
incase you dont know or forgot
i cant find TS3.ex_ 😞help😞
Found the TS3.ex_ and simply changed that to TS3.exe
