the sims 3

[corinne246]

hi. i installed sims 3 on my computer about a year ago. earlier in this year my hard crashed so i had to get a new hard drive, when when i wanted to install sims again, it says that the product code has already been used? what should i do? (i did set up a new origin account as i couldn't remember my old details, could that be the problem?)

[SandArcher]

@corinne246 Hi

Having issues with re-installing your game could be the result of several things.

1. If you are referring to REGISTERING the game on Origin or the Sims 3 website see here: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/Information-How-to-Register-The-Sims-3/td-p/387162 . Please note that if the game is second-hand, you cannot register the game twice. So, if it has been registered before, you cannot register it again.

2. Check that you're typing it right - it sounds silly but just check. You might be mixing up a S with a 5.

3. It is possible that there is still traces of the game on your computer. Try manually un-installing it here: https://help.ea.com/article/manually-uninstalling-the-sims-3 . Note that if you still have expansion packs or stuff packs on your computer, you will have to re-install them as well for all their additional gameplay and content to be read. In that case, while you're at it, I suggest manually unistalling all the games just to clear all game traces. If you have had the game on your PC before and still have the save files - make a backup to save them if you wish.

4. And lastly, try contacting EA: http://eahelp.ea.com/en/ . For help with navigating the site, see this:http://help.ea.com/en/article/contact-ea-help/

Let me know how it goes