Crashing to the desktop

Here's what I've done and where I am to date:

I started off with TS3 base installed via disk. Ambitions, WA and Generation downloaded via Origin.

• Installed all of the other EPs and SPs. Followed all the instructions for updating and applying the fix. Loaded it up and crashed while in CAS.
  
• Uninstalled everything. Deleted Sims folder from Documents (the entire folder containing all mods and cc)
  
• Uninstalled Origin. Deleted the folder in regedit. Made sure no Sim folders remained in regedit.
  
• Downloaded new versions of TS3, Ambitions, WA and Generations.
  
• Reinstalled all EPs and SPs. (7 of each plus base game) Applied updates and fix. Noticed when I installed the games I had from Origin originally, I didn't need serial #s.
  
• Launched game got error "Unable to connect to Origin". Booted up anyway. Crashed in CAS creating a family.
  
• Came back to forums and followed these steps posted here- ALL of them. DEP. DL'd 4gb patch, Adjusted graphic card settings
  
• Loaded up game and got "Unable to connect to Origins" error, game started. Switched to windows mode, crashed in CAS when I clicked on Accessories.
  

Game ran fine before I got greedy and applied all the EPs and SPs. My computer exceeds the minimum req's so I know that's not the issue. At a loss now...

The only error I get at startup is the "Unable to connect to Origins" message. And no cc.

Hi. I'm pretty certain I added all the exe's to DEP but I'll check again. As for windowed mode, #6 of the instructions lists that as a step, so I figured I would try it.

With regard to Origin, my only concern is that I uninstalled it from my machine. Why would it still pop up saying I was unable to connect to Origins and why would I be allowed to install games without the serial? Something is communicating with Origins to verify I had games downloaded from there previously. Maybe that is causing a conflict. I just don't know where else to look since I uninstalled it in programs and I deleted it from the registry.