I just got the game today. The game runs perfectly until it gets to the loading scene after the town choosing screen (The screen that lets you choose between Sunset Valley and Riverview) in which the game suddenly closes and takes you to the Windows Desktop without any error message.

If anyone knows how to fix this, I'll really like it if you tell me what to do. Thanks in advance.

Is this both neighbourhoods, or only one?
What happens if you rename My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 to something else and try again?

Both neighbourhoods have the problem. Graphics aren't my problem because it still dosen't work even at the lowest settings.

What about my other question?

That didn't work either.

Can you post up your full system specs for us, please?

==System==

Operating System: Windows Vista Home Prenuim (6.0, Point 6000)
Processor: AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Moblile Technology TL-52 (2 CPUs), ~1.6GHz
Memory: 894MB RAM
Page File: 840MB Used, 1206MB Avaliable
DirectX Version: 10
Dell Model Number: N/A
==Display==

Name: ATI Radeon Xpress Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip Type: ATI Radeon Xpress Series (0x5975)
Approx. Total Memory: 318MB
Main Driver: atiumdag.dll,atiumdva.dat,atitmmxx
Version: 7.14.0010.0590 (English)
==Sound==

Name: Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)

Your system does not meet the minimum requirements to run The Sims 3:

http://www.modthesims.info/wiki.php...em_Requirements

Your processor, RAM, and graphics are all too weak under Vista. That's the most likely reason why it doesn't work.

I see. Any suggestions on what I can do?

To add The Sims 2 worked on my Vista perfectly.

You can try turning all your settings down and upgrading to a less hoggy OS, like XP - but to be honest, you're probably not going to get TS3 working on that computer whatever you do. Vista is bad enough, and TS3 is a significant hike in requirements; that computer is only just good enough to run TS2, it stands very little chance with TS3.

Hm so even downgrading to XP wouldn't work? I have a computer with XP.

Try installing it on that computer, then - the downgrade would reduce the stress on this computer, but I can't say whether or not it would reduce the stress sufficiently to get the game going. The other computer, however, might be able to cope.

The strange thing is that the game DOES work at first before that loading screen in paticular. There's no error message either.

I'm going to try the game on my other computer. Thanks.

EDIT: I un and reinstalled the game on my Vista and it worked. You may lock this if you want.

I have the same problem, but my specs are:
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/2/2009, 22:54:49
Machine name: USER-NBO4CC5CGN
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.090206-1233)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: PCCHIPS
System Model: A13G
BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 431MB used, 2901MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Radeon X1650 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x71C7)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_71C7&SUBSYS_30001787&REV_9E
Display Memory: 1024.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6903 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 1/14/2009 00:47:44, 323584 bytes

I have been able to play in intervals, but the game keeps shutting down w/o warning at every big transition, creating a Sim in CAS, moving into house, accessing house. I ran all the tests by EA and it says my system exceeds min. requirements.
But I may try Shadowknight's idea and just uninstall the game and try again.

Your graphics card is a model that's almost three years old now, which is probably the issue. Try everything else suggested in this thread - changing settings and reinstalling - and see how you go.