Build/Buy Mode Issue

I got a new laptop with Windows 8 for Christmas. My desktop is several years old and, while it plays the Sims 3, it doesn't play it well. So I was really excited when I got my laptop to play it. I have the base game retail but none of the expansion packs, for which I'm downloading all of them from here. I know how to install these games correctly since I used them on my desktop as well.

If I only install the base game from my disk and play it that way, the game works fine. But as soon as I start installing your downloaded games I have issues. I can start the game just fine and make characters, play, the works. But the moment I click on build or buy mode the game won't work. I can move around the screen but none of the buttons for anything in build and buy mode show up, I can't click on anything. I have to force close the game because the options button won't work either.

The base game works fine so I'm wondering if this is an issue with the downloaded games and Windows 8, and if anyone else has had this issue?

Thanks

What is your base game version, and are you using any mods?

I know these games (from here) work fine on windows 8, since I got a new laptop with it for Christmas too, and am running all expansions and stuff packs (except fast lane because it's not useful to me)

Using my retail base game, It was updated to the most recent version. I tried both my retail disk and then I tried downloading it off origin because I read online that downloading it off origin might work but that didn't work either. But it was updated to the most recent version.

I have no mods and custom content installed yet.

I've downloaded the base game off of here. Maybe my retail base game and the downloaded games with my laptop are causing the issue because, when I tried the base game by itself, it worked. I was able to access build and buy mode. So now I'm going to try to download the next few expansion packs and see how it goes.

Is it necessary that I install the expansion packs in order? I think I read online somewhere awhile back where someone said the games wouldn't work for them unless they installed them in chronological order and if i don't have to worry about that then the better.

//EDIT

So far High End Loft Stuff works as well. I think what I'll do is
install each expansion pack one by one and check to see if it works
after I install each one, that way if it starts not working properly
then I'll know it's a certain expansion pack and not the entire game. Is
it possible that one expansion pack might just not work?

I'll check back when I find out which ones work or don't work and if I have anymore issues.

It could be an issue with the download or installation of one expansion, yes. Good luck, and let us know how it goes