The Sims 3 > Incomplete Installation ("launcher has stopped working", etc) Help Needed (FIVE days and no response? Really?)

Has anyone come up with a new solution to the Sims 3 installation issue yet? Here is what happened to me:

1. Downloaded the Sims 3 from Origin

2. Pressed install

3. Chose my country from the launcher installer screen

4. Watched as the Installshield Wizard did nothing for about a minute (in the taskbar but nothing showing install progress)

5. Origin changed to "Play" as the option instead of install

6. Got the "The Sims 3 launcher has stopped working, Windows is looking for a solution to the problem" error box

7. Checked my folders (my documents and the Origin Games folders in Program Files (x86), no new files after the so-called install

After doing all the above, I scoured the internet and came up with these solutions, tried them all (not listed in any particular order, just as they came to mind):

1. Do a manual uninstall of The Sims and Origin (failed)

2. Clean the registry (failed)

3. Uninstall Norton before installing (failed)
4. Manually patch to 1.48 (failed)

5. Ensure all drivers/Windows are fully updated (that was done already, I always keep it current)

I spent an hour and a half on the phone with tech support, half of that being with one of the tech specialists. They suggested all of these things as well, and couldn't come up with a solution beyond that either. 

My computer's specs (pulled from the dxdiag):

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2500K CPU @ 3.30GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.3GHz

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.120824-0336)

DirectX Version: DirectX 11

Memory: 8174MB RAM

Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series

Display Memory: 748 MB

I'm at the point now after redownloading this game eight times that I'm just going to go drop 20 bucks and buy a disc copy of the game. If someone can help me avoid that, however, it would be appreciated. 🙂