When playing Sim3, it just keeps disappearing

Hello,
I am having problems with my Sim3. I'm getting so annoyed because i just want to play it. It works for about 5 mintues then completely disappears. Its not running in the back ground and its not in the bottom bar. When it does thies nothign saves. I have downloaded the programs it suggested in the sim3 manual, DirectX etc and still it doesnt work properly. I have also put all the rquirements to min and made the Sim3 window smaller. My widescreen laptop is windows vista and is meant to be for viewing films and gaming so why isnt it working, PLease can any one help

Thanks x