Back to reading Anach's thread for the umpteenth time as I suspect I left out a critical step somewhere in trying to merge the files.  Going to check for tool updates.

ETA:  Still no idea why these packs and I aren't getting along.  Guess I best wait for others to upload their versions.

I only have one version of AM installed. 

With the June 30, 2010 12:05 p.m.  AM build, I'm still having issues with Sims no being able to quit their jobs.  I have to pull AM from my game so that Sims can change jobs.  According to every AM download I can find, I have the most recent one.

ETA: Sorry, I didn't replace the old AM. *Smacks self*

Also hanging on load screen.  Went back to previous version of AM (6/18/2010 @ 4:47 PM).  

I found a firetruck in my sim's inventory but couldn't place it at the fire station. Oh, well.

I've had a couple of instances of my game freezing, but random freezing for me has been an issue since the base game.  I've found that if I remember to save every 1-2 sim days that it makes less of an impact on my game.

For some reason (I'm convinced my computer hates me) these were the only patches that worked for me:  http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php?title=Game_Help:TS3_Patching

Installed latest version of AM--so far all schools are functional.

I was having the issues with the fire truck I first noticed with the June 9 build.  After playing a sim with the fireman profession for three days, the firetruck would appear if there was an emergency.  The truck wouldn't appear in the firehouse.

I haven't played a sim with the fireman profession on my unpatched game so I don't know if this is an EA issue or AM issue.

As I know from my painful experience experience from last week, uninstalling and reinstalling your game can cause all kinds of weird issues with the launcher.  I found that if you don't have the EADM, the launcher won't work after reinstalling.  I couldn't play as my game wouldn't load as it wasn't "up to date".  I finally had to patch everything manually.  The only patches that would work for me were the ones on the MTS Wiki.

Make sure your copy of s3pe has been checked to use .packages (in the set up when you download).  I couldn't get my cc to show up.  It took me forever to determine that was the problem.

Very Good!

Hmm, I didn't try to see if they could go to school.
Education job:  You click on the working school and teaching is on the menu.
 (Just don't ask me about merging files and how to get them to show up in the game as I'm still working on that.  I bet there's one critical step I'm leaving out.)

FYI:  If I don't have AM in my game, the school is a school and Sims can become teachers.

It does that.  I'm sure a new AM will be ready soon.

I finally had to manually install the patches via the links on MTS.  Now I'm playing without major issues.  The launcher works also.  I'm doing my best not to muck with the luancher.

It's an option for the dressers.  I didn't express that issue very well. (checking in my game for the EXACT dresser options)

Since the Sims 3 base game, there have been three options on the dressers:  Change Outfit, Put on Uniform and Plan Outfit.  Plan Outfit send the sim to CAS where one can change the entire wardrobe.  With AM in, the option for Plan Outfit is grayed out.   When I remove AM, I can use the option.

I made the mistake of uninstalling my entire game after the CTD with ambitions.  When I reinstalled I couldn't get the launcher or EADM to work so I couldn't update.  My game couldn't be patched manually unless I used the links from MTS.

I haven't see this issue reported but may have missed it:  Sims can't choose a new wardrobe from CAS.  The option is grayed out.  

ETA: If AM is removed, I can choose more clothing from CAS.

Thanks for the info.  Yes, I was using AM at the time.  I shall goggle EADM tomorrow.  I've manually installed it a couple of times.  

ETA:  Manually uninstalling/reinstalling didn't help.  I also stumped the EA tech help also.  My issues are going to be evaluated by the senior tech staff.  I should hear back from them in 24-48 hours.  My specs are fine but I knew that before I called.  I tried using the links to install the updates--"invalid" file.

If anyone here has any suggestions, I would appreciate them.  I'm seriously considering installing on my son's computer to see what happens.

Starting last week I began to see a message that my launcher wouldn't initialize.  The cc would install so I ignored it.  Today after I installed Ambitions, I was having CTD when entering a lot.  I was attempting to play a vanilla game as I had pulled all of my mods and cc.  I decided to uninstall Ambitions

I'm not sure what possessed me, but I uninstalled the rest of my Sims 3 games.  I reinstalled/installed the base game three times.  After each time I've installed the game, I would attempt to start up a vanilla game and receive the above message.  It will not start.  I've tried to install Riverview from the store and still get the same message.  The forums (for what they are worth) are down for maintenance.  I have tried using the TS3.exe to start the base game and still get the same message.  

I have used AM from the beginning.  Typically I don't use the launcher to play my game.  I use the launcher to install my cc and to patch as I honestly don't understand most of the explanations of how to use the alternatives.  I figured it was better to use the "evil" launcher than to destroy my computer/game.  Obviously I was wrong about that.

Does anyone have any ideas of what could be the problem and if there is a solution?  My personal geek suggested that I call EA support.  That should be fun.

ETA:  Apparently the Geek's installation and glaring at the computer worked.  I can now access the base game via the TS3.exe.  My concern now is patching the game.  I have AM waiting to be placed.  I still plan on chewing on an Electronic Arts tech person tomorrow.

My personal computer geek did the DEP thing for me, but I'm still having the random crashes to desktop. It seems to happen less frequently when start my game through the rebooter.  The only drawback to that is the game is in full screen mode, not the windowed mode. 

Will try that and report back.

I discovered last night that I have two copies of Tigger Broke and his wife.  Their son shows that he knows both couples. Best I can tell couple #2  are homeless.  Beside the fact this is probably the first clue the neighborhood is starting to implode, what would be the best way to clear them out of the game?  I've tried "fixall" but apparently that isn't the correct command to use.

I don't download a new AM unless the time stamp has changed.