2012-11-10 08:12 AM
My brother and I just got a new laptop but it doesn't have a disc drive and we already have the Sims 3 on disc...
How do we install the game without having to purchase it again?
Please help us!
Desperate!
2012-11-10 09:52 AM
When you register the game at thesims3.com, the games are added to your myGames library on the Origin client.
You can download the download version from there.
Good Luck
Crin
I don't work or have any association with EA. I give advice to the best of my knowledge and cannot be held responsible for any damage done to your computer/game.
Please only contact me via PM when asked to do so.
Important Threads
March 2020
What about downloading packs without a disc drive?
March 2020
@Taelex The answer is the same: register your packs in Origin if you haven't already done so, and then you can download them for free. Once you've downloaded the base game, click on the Sims 3 icon, select More > Expansion Packs (or Stuff Packs), scroll through the lists to the packs you want, and click Download. Origin will manage everything for you.
April 2020
Thanks for this
But if the game didn't register properly - I've had the game for years and quite a few additionals (such as seasons, etc.) none of which are showing on origin to download is there another way to get them as a download?
Or do you know if you can buy a separate disc reader to play them on?
Thanks for any help you can give
April 2020
@marissaabjones13 If the product keys were never used, you can still register them to your Origin account now. If you did use them, perhaps on a different account, either in Origin or on the old Sims 3 site ( www.thesims3.com or store.thesims3.com ), you can request that EA customer support merge your old account with your new one. Keep in mind that the store content owned by the account being merged will likely not transfer to the new account.
https://help.ea.com/en/contact-us/
Otherwise, yes, you can use an external disc drive to install your packs. If your base game disc was manufactured before September 2012, then you can install entirely via disc and leave Origin out of the picture. Otherwise, Origin will still manage the install process, but it still should probably allow you to use the content you install via disc. This doesn't always work though, so if you can install without Origin, that's the better approach.
April 2020
Thank-you so much!
May 2020
May 2020
@choran929 Yes, they will appear in the Origin account tied to your thesims3.com account. Or you could register them directly in Origin, although the old Sims 3 site is more reliable.
May 2020