I want to play The Sims 3 so I installed via Origin. After the installation was finished I opened the launcher and got a message saying there was an error during startup and that I should check the log. Couldn't find a log. Restarted my computer and got a different message saying Origin is required.

I uninstalled and tried a different method. Sharing the game files from my old computer to my current one. After copy pasting the files onto my pc it either opens the launcher and says the installation is incomplete or it opens the EA app and says to repair the game (That option isn't available if you didn't install directly through the app so I couldn't try that)

Uninstalled again and tried the last method. Using a pre-2012 disc. My current laptop doesn't have a disc drive so I put the disc into my old computer and shared the disc. I successfully installed and the launcher opened with no errors. But now I get an error message saying I need the disc.

So now I'm out of luck because I've tried all the known methods and none work. I can't search the internet for answers because none of the threads about launcher error messages are recent and I have a feeling this is related to the EA app.

Patch the game up to 1.67 using the superpatcher:
Game Help:TS3 Patching^wiki
Direct link: http://akamai.cdn.ea.com/eadownload...40xx_update.exe
Then install this mod:
https://www.nraas.net/community/NoCD
And run the game from [install location]\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3W.exe

So I did the update thing and I put the NoCD mod in my mods folder but I just get an error when I trying opening the game where it asks me to. And now the launcher doesn't work at all anymore

Don't run the launcher, locate the basegame TS3W.exe or the noCD mod won't work.

I just get this when I do that

Ah I see; this is most likely an issue with the install as you mentioned you tried several versions including the Origin install.
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical...iled/td-p/65394

So what would be the best version of The Sims 3 to use? Disc or Origin? Asking before I bother with another 1 hour installation

Running as admin didn't help and I don't have cache to delete as I would need to play the game in order to get them. Can't defrag because my laptop is SSD

I'm using the disc install 1.67, no idea about origin these days as it's the EA app. Maybe @Igazor or someone else who plays Sims 3 more often can help.

Also try asking on the NRaas chatterbox forums:
https://www.nraas.net/community/chatterbox

I decided to reinstall it but this time I let it also download EADM. I declined the first time as I didn't know if it would still work today but upon opening the launcher it asked me to update and now it works! (With the NoCD mod)

Oh, that's great- I'm glad you got it working! What a pain in the arse EA are.