the launcher won't luanch

@bandit34 Could you please try doing a Clean Boot and then check if the issue still occurs? Also if you are running the game from Origin try running a repair on the game (right click the Sims 3 base game tile and select 'Repair Game). If the repair option does not show make sure that the game is up to date first (right click the base game tile and select 'Check for Updates').

Let us know how you get on!

Having the same issue "Error during startup check log file" just bought the game. I have literally done everything possible to try and fix it. Game still doesn't want to start. Have gone through all the FAQ on this site and others no luck ;-(

@SoIidusMD Just to confirm, have you tried the steps I posted above? Also did you try the steps in the following thread: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/FAQ-There-was-an-error-during-Startup/td-p/65390?

Ive done all of that, including the clean boot. I don't have CAW or CAP installed - I've also done the tedious task of making sure no additional registry keys are present, ran CCleaner I'm always running as admin, I tried running it from several of the files in the bin folder as admin, I have it installed on my A drive ( Not C program files).  I'm at a loss :-/

I tried finding the so-called log file the launcher is referring to but my Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder is empty save for a launchermanifest.pid file

There's no actual log file anywhere for this error (not sure why it tells you in the message).

When you checked your keys in the registry, did you just check for base game keys or also expansions and launcher ? Did you clean it out manually or with ccleaner ?

Did you try ccleaner yet ? Does any of the expansion packs still show in add/remove programs in windows or on the tab with the cogwheel in ccleaner ?

They also don't appear on that wrench icon on CCleaner ? Where it says uninstall ?

Did you ever repair the game through Origin before the 1.69 update ?

Which version do you currently have ?