[now when I try to install stuff, even from the EA site, I get to the box that says "installing" but the progress bar never moves. I have to right-click and close the installer to get out of it, and then my content shows as installed, but in the game it is not working. I can see a bunch of the * 's where there is supposed to be a new pattern, but there is no picture, and if you click on it to use it all you get is white.

Did this happen to anyone else? Any ideas how to fix it? I really want to be able to install CC
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When this happened to me, I removed Awesomemod, Facial Slider Hack and NoCensor hack to my desktop.  Then I installed the Sims3package (which worked).  Then I put the stuff back in.  I know everybody's configuration of this game is different, but you might experiment with this.

Caraleede- I just cracked up laughing out loud at that pic!  May I send a copy to my mom, please? I had a cat that looked just like that!