TS3W.exe runs, but game doesn't start

What about the later expansions?  Don't they need the base game to be patched (if not to 1.67, to some point)?

yes the newer EP's and some worlds do need the 1.67 patch. but there maybe a way around it if you patch manually??!!

order of release are found on wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sims_3

list of patches

http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sims_3/Patch

and this from EA

How do I get my content up to date? What patches do I need?

As of base game update 1.22.9 or later, players no longer need to update their expansions and stuff packs. All updates will now be applied only to the base game. This should make the patching process easier and prevent base game incompatibility errors. Also note that separate game updates for expansions and stuff packs are no longer being released, since these are now incorporated into the base game update.

Yeah, looked at the order of release, that's why I was sticking to using the World Adventures EP.  It was first and I wanted to keep things simple.

I'm downloading the base and WA from Origin now, I'll report back if it made any difference....

Its also possible the game just did not patch correctly and that is your problem rather than the 1.67 is not compatible with something in your computer. Some people use the manual superpatcher instead of the launcher patch update. WA is a fun EP

I tried using the manual "super patch" and then I tried letting the launcher install it automatically, so I don't think that's it.

So far I have downloaded & installed the base from Origin, and that installed and ran fine.  Now I'm 30% through WA....

Let us know what happens with WA without patching

I attempted to install WA right after downloading it:

"Please use The Sims 3 Launcher and update your version of the Sims 3 before installing this product."

When I start the base version from the Origin screen, and select  "Game Updates" from the launcher, I get "Unable to connect to EA Download Manager"

did you log into origin from desktop and turn off the automatic update? and maybe try manually going to a patch lower than 1.22. As of base game update 1.22.9 or later, players no longer need to update their expansions and stuff packs.

http://sims.wikia.com/wiki/The_Sims_3/Patch

Thanks BGH22 for sticking with me this far.  I do sincerely appreciate your efforts.

I rebooted the system, and now when I log into Origin and try to install WA, I get the error "you must be logged in as an administrator to continue."  If anyone googles that error, they will see a lot of people complaining about this.

Of course I am already logged in as admin, and have UAC turned off.  I have tried right-clicking Origin and starting it as admin, and also tried selecting the checkbox in compatibility settings, no difference.

I think at this stage I am done.  I have wasted so many hours on this, and if by chance I got lucky and made it work I doubt I would want to play now.

Origin at first sounded like a convenience- I wouldn't have to worry about keeping track of my discs anymore (but God help me if I lost my Origin login password), but actually it's a buggy mess; it's really just DRM in disguise.

I do tech support for a living.  If i'm having this much difficulty installing and running an inane game, I pity the casual user that has problems.

Your welcome. I just dont understand why it is giving you such trouble. I can post in the helpers corner for you and there are some helpers that are a lot more tec savy than I am when it comes to resolving issues with this game. I can post to them and maybe they know other things you can check.