sims 3

That error usually means a .dll file is missing or corrupt. You'll need to get into the Event Log and there should be an error that will tell you what file(s) are causing the problem.

Where do you find the event log?  I have uninstalled and reinstalled three times and I still get that error message.

@ItsMarmy  Please run a dxdiag and attach it to a post.

https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/pc/how-to-gather-dxdiag-information/

Please also let me know what kind of Sims 3 install this is: Origin, disc, Steam, or some other source.

@ItsMarmy I think you need to do some maintenance on your computer, to see if the error message is the result of that.

Update Windows; run a registry cleaner (CCleaner is free and safe, always back up the registry when asked if to do this), and perhaps try to do a DISM clean up.

But update Windows first, I think that will install any necessary Visual C++ Redistributables.

Also follow the advice given by the other poster; the file requested will show what needs to be done, for anyone that can read it.

But don't post in 8 year old threads, since that is against the rules of this forum, I am surprised the thread has not get closed down yet. Best is to make a new thread, and name it properly, so that more posters are inclined to read it based on the title.  

It is an Origin install.  I made sure my computer is current on all Windows updates, I ran CCleaner after I uninstalled and before reinstalling Sims 3, I turned off my virus program just to make sure that was not interfering, and I don't know what a DISM is. 

@ItsMarmy  Your Windows build is actually two years old now, although that alone shouldn't prevent Sims 3 from launching.  But it does suggest a system issue preventing Windows from updating itself, which it should have tried to do automatically by now, regardless of your settings.

DISM is a tool used to check and repair Windows images.  Running the /RestoreHealth command is a useful basic check on Windows files.  Running the System File Checker afterwards can also be helpful.  If you'd like to try:

• Hit Windows key-X
• Choose either “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Command prompt (Administrator),” whichever option is offered
• Inside the window that appears, copy and paste “DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth” without quotes into the window, and enter
• The system will start validating soon. If it throws an error, please list it here
• After it reaches 100%, hit Windows key-X again
• Again, choose “PowerShell (Administrator)” or “Command prompt (Administrator)”
• Inside the window, copy and paste “sfc /scannow” without quotes into the window, and enter
• Post the message you receive here

If you'd like to update to the latest version of Windows, the best way at this point would be a repair install.  Let me know if you need help with this process.  Like I said, it's not strictly necessary for Sims 3, but the issue should be addressed sooner or later for the overall health of your computer.

Your dxdiag doesn't list any Sims 3 errors, which doesn't mean anything on its own—the errors could be crowded out by newer, unrelated ones.  So the place to start is with the runtimes Sims 3 uses: the 2005 x86 VC++ and .NET Framework 3.5.  First, hit Windows key-i, select Apps, scroll down to the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 x86 Redistributable, click on it, and Uninstall.  Then download a new one from Microsoft.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26347

Next, hit Windows key-R and enter "appwiz.cpl" without quotes.  In the File Explorer window that appears, click "Turn Windows features on or off," and you'll see this:

.NET 3.5 is right at the top.  Click the box next to it to uninstall, then restart your computer.  Repeat the process, except this time, check the box to reinstall the runtime, and restart again before trying to play.

I ran the scannow and the message I got after it finished is Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.  For online repairs, details are included in the CBS log file located at windir\logs\cbs\cbs.log.  For example C:\Windows\logs\cbs\cbs.log.  For offline repairs, details are included in the lo file provided by the /offlogfile flag.

It didn't work, but I got an error message when I tried the last step.  It said it couldn't find the .NET 3.5 framework files and gave this error: Windows couldn't complete the requested changes. Windows couldn't find required files to complete the requested changes.  Error code:  0x800F081F.  When I clicked the link that took me to the error page, this is what I found:

Error code 0x800F081F

This error code can occur when an alternative installation source is specified and one of the following conditions is true:

• The location that is specified by the path does not contain the files that are required to install the feature.
• The user who tries to install the feature does not have at least READ access to the location and to the files.
• The set of installation files is corrupted, incomplete, or invalid for the version of Windows that you are running.

To fix this problem, make sure that the full path of the source is correct (x:\sources\sxs) and that you have at least Read access to the location. To do this, try to access the source directly from the affected computer. Verify that the installation source contains a valid and complete set of files. If the problem persists, try to use a different installation source.

I read on down and found the fix.....but when I read it, it was like Greek to me.

Resolution for Windows 10

• Error code 0x800F0906, 0x800F081F, or 0x800F0907

  To fix the error codes for Windows 10, follow these steps:

  1. Download the Windows Media Creation tool, and create an ISO image locally, or create an image for the version of Windows that you have installed.

  2. Configure the Group Policy as in Method 2, but also follow these steps:

     1. Mount the ISO image that's created in step 1.
     2. Point the Alternate source file path to the ISO sources\sxs folder from the ISO.
     3. Run the gpupdate /force command.
     4. Add the .NET Framework feature.

@ItsMarmy  The first step is to create a Windows 10 ISO.  Go here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Download the Media Creation Tool, which will allow you to create an ISO, but you're not going to burn it to disc.  Instead, close the MCT, right-click on ithe ISO, and select Mount.

Now search for "Command prompt," and choose the "Run as administrator" option.  (This is critical: you need admin rights.)  Enter this command:

DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:NetFx3 /All /LimitAccess /Source:X:\sources\sxs

Replace the X in the above command with the drive letter of the mounted ISO; you should be able to see the letter in a File Explorer window.

Once the ISO is mounted, you can run the gpupdate /force command and add .NET Framework 3.5.

YES!!!!!  I got it fixed so my Sims 3 runs now.  Thank you SO MUCH Puzzlezaddict.  Your guiding me through the parts I didn't quite understand helped me SO MUCH!  May the fleas of camels infest your enemies!!  And may YOU have a blessed day.  You are awesome.