May 2019
I just spent a couple hours installing Sims 3 and about 10 expension packs (all from discs), Origin says some are installed, some I need to buy.. Sorry Origin but they're on my frickin' laptop. On the Sims 3 Launcher they're shown as not installed but the second I click I wanna install them through the Launcher Origin starts and says I can't install them and have to buy them again.. I literally checked everything, uninstalled a game and downloaded it through Origin and it still doesn't show up. I completely understand that EA doesn't want me to play Sims 3 anymore but this is just straight up annoying.
Solved! Go to Solution.
May 2019 - last edited May 2019
@bowie960619 You can install TS3 on whichever drive you prefer; it shouldn't make a difference. There are often issues with uninstalling on one drive and reinstalling on another, but the problem is usually that the game's leftover registry keys weren't cleaned out first. Those old entries be why the packs you donwloaded through Origin aren't working either.
So, here are the steps to creating a disc-only install:
This is the usual path to installing via disc, and it works for almost everyone. If you run into trouble, just let me know, and I'll try to help.
May 2019
@bowie960619 Can you register the discs that Origin thinks you don't own? Even at this late date, you can still add the codes to your account, as long as they haven't been used already. Otherwise, Origin may keep insisting that you don't own them.
There might be a simple solution to this, although it doesn't always help. Try clearing Origin's cache, and if that doesn't work, uninstalling Origin "the hard way" and reinstalling. You don't need to install any of your packs, although you could try uninstalling and reinstalling the newest one only (preferably via Origin, if it reads as owned).
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/origin/origin/manually-uninstalling-origin/
Otherwise, there may not be a way to force Origin to cooperate. Often enough, Origin will accept a disc install when the corresponding pack isn't on the account, but not always. The only way to avoid this is to keep Origin out of the picture entirely. You own everything on disc, as is necessary, but is your base game disc old enough to not require Origin? Specifically, it needs to have been manufactured before September 2012. If you're not sure, check the case—the newer ones will have the Origin logo and/or a banner across the top that says something about an online experience. (You could check the copyright date as well).
If you don't need Origin to install the base game, that sounds like the best way to go. Let me know, and I can write out instructions for an Origin-free install.
May 2019
I tried all the tips but it still doesn't work. Some discs I bought second-hand so I can't register those, but the ones I downloaded through Origin (that I also own on-disc) don't work either. There was a time I could turn off Origin but it keeps starting when I try to check off the games on the Sims 3 Launcher and when I uninstall Origin I can barely start the TS3 Launcher. I bought the game the day it was released so if you could help me with an Origin free install I'd be very grateful!
The only other thing is that I installed the game on my D:/ drive rather than my C:/ drive but I installed and played them while being installed there several times so I don't understand what the problem is, it's just that my laptop crashed a couple months ago so I lost the games, even though I have played TS3 on this exact same laptop and with the same installation settings.
May 2019 - last edited May 2019
@bowie960619 You can install TS3 on whichever drive you prefer; it shouldn't make a difference. There are often issues with uninstalling on one drive and reinstalling on another, but the problem is usually that the game's leftover registry keys weren't cleaned out first. Those old entries be why the packs you donwloaded through Origin aren't working either.
So, here are the steps to creating a disc-only install:
This is the usual path to installing via disc, and it works for almost everyone. If you run into trouble, just let me know, and I'll try to help.
May 2019
May 2019
@bowie960619 No worries, I'm so glad to hear it worked. Enjoy.
April 2020
April 2020
@bowie960619 It's not a problem to get back to me now, or whenever. If you install Origin on the same computer where Sims 3 is, Origin may recognize the install and try to update it to 1.69 and take over. This used to happen to people even when they'd disabled auto updates, and it could happen to you as well.
It's possible that Origin would still allow you to use your existing packs, but there's no guarantee. You might end up having to wipe the Sims 3 install, and Origin, and start from scratch.
If you're up for a bit of experimenting, I have an idea for an approach you could try. I don't know if it would work, or if it would break your Sims 3 install (as in, you'd need to reinstall), but it's based on the fact that Origin doesn't recognize my own Sims 3 install at all. Mine is through Steam, and the install path and registry entries look different; I've wondered if that was why Origin never tried to touch it. So let me know if you're up for some messing around. But like I said, it might break your install.
April 2020