Hello this is may because some files of the games are corrupted or damaged! You will have to uninstall the game and install it again! I hope this works!

I get Exactly the same problem with my game, i will try uninstall but i do not believe it will work. However.

This happens to me too!
I hav unistalled, and re-installed (twice)
i have all the requirements
i have deleted basically all my other games to make sure there is plenty of room
i've done everything i can think of!
can someone please help! coz i really wanna play!

I am a HUGE Sims fan, just bought Sims 3 and does the exact same thing! Freeze randomly and goes black, I can do nothing but CONTROL - ALT - DELETE and close it down, UNSAVED! Driving me crazy! Should I uninstall and re-install? I'll lose my games!

Ugh! Mine too and I have a Mac! this is so frustrating! I have been dying to play!

Try playing in windowed mode - Change the setting in the main menu as you start the game, before you choose your town. this seems to have worked with some ppl. Also, in windowed mode, reduce your resolution slightly. This reduces the strain on your pc's Graphics card. Hope this helps!

Whenever I play the Sims 3 on my computor it crashes after 2-20 mins of gameplay. When it crashes it just freezes n whatever u press it wont do anything, u just have 2 turn off the computor via the power button. I'v deleted loads of my other games and have 2 gig of spare free memory. I've installed all updates n everything but it still freezes!

Hi ive been havin the exact same problem, but before it used to be worst wen im on create a sim the screen turns multicolored n blotchy so i called them up and they told me to type in dxdiag in run in the start menu and a window should come up direct x diagnostic tool wen it finished loadin click save all information n save it on desktop. Then open it up look 4 were it says card name it should say the card name n then a year nxt 2 it. U may have to update it if it is old. You can do this by going on google and type in ati website and then watever your current card name is download the lastest version. Although after i done all this the game still freezes. but it worth a try

Quick question. Are you all or some of you running the bare minimum requirements? It would help more if you listed the actual specs of your computers. Remember the game has listed the "requirements" for the game to run, but they do not say "FANTASTIC game play with this minimum requirements".

My suggestion to those that have at least 2GB RAM, Dual COre Processors, and 512MB Video (that works with SIMS3)

You may have so much starting up on your computer taking up half of your RAM from the start. Are you running Vista? XP? Those two will play a major role when it comes to sims3 play and your Memory avail.

I highly recommend you check out this free little tool (its far better than any System Task Manager by far) to see what actually is running on your machines, and what you can or cannot shut down on start up or while running the game.

I hate that fact that all these software companies think we want their little piece of heaven to load on each system boot. Its annoying yes, but we as PC owners have to keep it under control. Find out whats running and much more by this free tool. http://www.gtopala.com/ Get the Standalone English Version (No Need for Pro) or get the multi language if needed.

Once you investigate a bit more to find out what you can safely shut down you may find Sims runs better. Another GREAT place to review is Black Vipors helpful settings. He tells you what you can safely shut down in the OS and more. Like what is the default, and if it is needed and why. I suggest you choose your proper OS i.e. XP, Vista ... this is the link to the XP SP3 32 bit http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

GOOD LUCK everyone. I know how much you want to play the game so I figured I'd take the time to at least offer some help :)

Really now? I have tried control alt delete multiple times and it does squat, so please don't presume that what works on your machine works on others.

Curlyandbored..... It's a bug in the game. They are trying to come up with a patch to fix it... I have updated my video card, have more than the min. requirements and it still crashes on me... Just letting you know it's not JUST the video card :)

My original Sims3 is turning fine on my aldi netbook and that means that the system requirements are really very low. SIMS3 Graphics are not much better then on my ATARI or Commodore 30 years ago.My Childrens game computers are freezing even after installing the last ATI and NVIDIA drivers(CTRL-Alt-Delete doesn't work). Quad processor and dual processors doesn't matter the problem is propably in the EA protection system. Why do i think that it is the EA protection system? The cracked SIMS3 version that i downloaded to try is turning 100%. Thank you EA because people who bought the game can't play it. I think some people at EA games should look for an other Job before EA loses lots of clients.

I really hope that EA can find a solution otherwise this is the last time i buy EA games for my children.

Greetings from Belgium

Ugh! Same thing is happening to me and my dad thinks it's all my fault :(

D: Stupid patch needs to come out!!

Finally, the sims 3 patch is out, but the problem with crashing remains the same. :(
...sigh...

Hey... so i bought the game and still haven't opened it now that everyone says it won't work... is there a website I can go to that will tell me if my computer can play the game or not? im worried about trying it now... and i have no idea what my computer is... i can run sims 2 fine and it's fast...