Cannot run or update The Sims 3! <details>

Hi!
So a while back I downloaded The Sims 3 and ALL expansions from Games4theworld and installed them on an external harddrive in the order in which they were released. I used the Ultimate fix to update and what not and everything worked fine and I was playing the game with no problems.
I got the urge to play today but since it's been awhile I decided I would re-d/l the Ultimate Fix and update before running the game.
And that's where I have the problem. I copy+replaced the files, ect., ect., and I went to run the launcher but it says to reinstall the base game. I decide to download the manual patch, it says there's no installation detected. I decided to copy+replace the crack files and just play the game, it still won't work. Same error, reinstall base game. Or the screen is black and it asks if I'd like to continue but when I select it, I get the 0x039e8474 error. :C I've had to re-d/l all these games/expansions many, many, many times for multiple reasons over the last 3 years and as much as I want to play this game, if I have to do it all AGAIN, then nvm that!
So, if you can give me some advice that isn't (Uninstall, restart, reinstall), awesome!
-Stacey

Hello,

Welcome to the Forum!
Do you get an error when you try to run the game via the launcher?

Yes... "reinstall base game" and "0x039e8474.

I'm running in directly from the HD, not a shortcut... I'm pretty sure I'm just gonna flippin have to reinstall it for no reason ;_;

Or make the external drive static, so if you do remove it, it will be the same once you plug it back in.

http://www.howtogeek.com/96298/assign-a-static-drive-letter-to-a-usb-drive-in-windows-7/

I... I don't think that's going to do anything since I'm running the actual .exe from the installation folder O.o

Well if you made the External Drive static, you won't have to worry about it randomly changing path letters, and messing up the installation/running of it.