I just bought a new laptop. Primarily I play(ed) Sims 2 because 3 would not run on my old laptop very well. I also play 4. I prefer 3 but if I'm going to have issues or it's going to run poorly I'm not going to bother.

I would like to play 3 with maybe 3 eps and some mods and some CC. I only have Sims 3 installed as of this moment.

I just installed Sims 3 and it went well and was flying through a quick "create a sim." At this moment I have no CC on my computer. I hardly have anything on this except Sims 4. Okay, well, I went to get out of my game (in Create a Family) as I just didn't like the settings and wanted to tweak a few things. Well, the program would not close (Sims 3) and I kept getting the spinning whitish disc. I couldn't get it to close in ALT CONTROL OR DELETE...it was not responding. I had to shut it down but that's a no no because I don't think that is good for any computer.

I was able to run at least the base game on my 7 year old laptop so I am kind of confused.

I'm still getting to know my laptop and really don't want to have to shut it off due to this error. Also, I don't want it running too hot because I play Sims 3. Eventually I will update the memory from 4GB DDR to 8 but I can't afford that. (Would this help in playing Sims 3?)

I also don't know how high I can run everything in game comfortably (graphics) or how I should set it (what resolution for my screen). I'll include my specs and see if someone wants to take a shot at helping me.
I'm running Windows 10, Acer Aspire, Intel Core 3-7100U 2.4 GHz, 3MB L3 cache, Intel HD graphics 620, 4GB DDR, and 1000 GB 4DD.

If anyone wants to take a shot at telling me 1) can I even play Sims 3 and on what settings (with any eps?) 2) If so what am I doing wrong? 3) What could I do (add) to play it? I'd appreciate it.

I realize this is not a gaming computer but thought maybe I could run the game without it "glitching" at shut down.

Here's the Device Configure.

=== Application info ===
Name: Sims3
Version:
Build: Release
=== Rating info ===
GPU: 1 GPU Memory: 4 CPU: 3 RAM: 4 CPU Speed: 2400 Threading: 3
Adjusted CPU: 2800 RAM: 3964 Adjusted RAM: 3452 Cores: 2
=== Machine info ===
OS version: Windows 8 6.2.9200
OS prod type: 0
OS major ver: 6
OS minor ver: 2
OS SP major ver: 0
OS SP minor ver: 0
OS is 64Bit: 1
CPU: GenuineIntel
Brand: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-7100U CPU @ 2.40GHz
Family: 6
Model: 14
Cores: 2
HT: 1
x64: 0
Memory: 3964MB
Free memory: 1754MB
User: Diane
Computer: LAPTOP-TNTQBIEI
=== Graphics device info ===
Number: 0
Name (driver): Intel(R) HD Graphics 620
Name (database): Intel(R) HD Graphics 620 [Found: 0, Matched: 1]
Vendor: Intel
Chipset: Vendor: 8086, Device: 5916, Board: 10941025, Chipset: 0002
Driver: igdumdim32.dll, Version: 21.20.16.4534, GUID: D7B78E66-1A56-11CF-2362-8430B9C2D835
Driver version: 4534
Monitor: \\.\DISPLAY1
Texture memory: 2112MB
Vertex program: 3.0
Pixel program: 3.0
Hardware TnL: 1
=== Options ===
AnimationSmoothing 1
LightingQuality 3
GeneralReflections 2
TextureQuality 2
VisualEffects 2
TerrainQuality 1
EdgeSmoothing 0
ObjectHiding 1
AspectRatio 0
ForceSquarePixels 1
SimQuality 3
TreeQuality 1
DrawDistance 2
MaxActiveLots 3
NumMaxActiveLotOptions 6
AdvancedRendering 0
AudioQuality 3
AudioOutputMode 1
VoiceLevel 148
SoundFXLevel 148
MusicLevel 133
AmbientLevel 99
FocusMute 1
VoiceMute 0
SoundFXMute 0
MusicMute 0
AmbientMute 0
EdgeScrolling 0
EdgeScrollingWarning 1
SupressOpportunityDialogs 0
SuppressOpportunityDialogsWarningProducts 0
SimWhileMinimized 0
TwelveHourClock 1
ShowPlacementGrid 0
AutonomyLevel 2
DisableAutonomyForSelectedSim 0
PetAutonomyLevel 2
AgingInterval 2
EnableAging 1
EnableTutorial 1
EnableIntroTutorial 1
EnableTombResets 1
EnableInGameStore 1
EnableTelemetry 1
EnableMemories 1
AgingStageLengthBaby 3
AgingStageLengthToddler 7
AgingStageLengthChild 7
AgingStageLengthTeen 14
AgingStageLengthYoungAdult 21
AgingStageLengthAdult 21
AgingStageLengthElder 17
EnableInteractiveLoading 1
AgingStageLengthPuppy 0
AgingStageLengthDogAdult 0
AgingStageLengthDogElder 0
AgingStageLengthKitten 0
AgingStageLengthCatAdult 0
AgingStageLengthCatElder 0
AgingStageLengthFoal 0
AgingStageLengthHorseAdult 0
AgingStageLengthHorseElder 0
LunarCycleLength 3
LunarPhaseLength 0
EnableLunarCycle 1
EnableLunarPhase 0
EnableStoryProgression 1
EnableVampires 1
EnableWerewolves 1
EnablePets 1
EnableCelebrities 1
EnableFairies 1
EnableWitches 1
EnableHorses 1
EnableOptOutCeleb 0
ReceiveConnectTNS 1
ReceivedDevGift 0
PostFilterFlags 0
RequireLoginBeforeLoad 0
SummerLength 7
FallLength 7
WinterLength 7
SpringLength 7
SummerEnabled 1
FallEnabled 1
WinterEnabled 1
SpringEnabled 1
IsCelcius 0
FogEnabled 1
RainEnabled 1
SnowEnabled 1
HailEnabled 1
InvertHorizontalRotation 0
InvertVerticalRotation 0
VideoCaptureSize 1
VideoCaptureQuality 0
VideoCaptureSound 0
VideoCaptureTime 60
VideoCaptureHideUI 1
=== Default Options ===
AnimationSmoothing 1
LightingQuality 1
GeneralReflections 0
TextureQuality 1
VisualEffects 1
TerrainQuality 1
EdgeSmoothing 0
ObjectHiding 1
AspectRatio 0
ForceSquarePixels 1
SimQuality 1
TreeQuality 1
DrawDistance 1
MaxActiveLots 1
NumMaxActiveLotOptions 6
AdvancedRendering 0
AudioQuality 3
AudioOutputMode 1
VoiceLevel 255
SoundFXLevel 255
MusicLevel 255
AmbientLevel 255
FocusMute 1
VoiceMute 0
SoundFXMute 0
MusicMute 0
AmbientMute 0
EdgeScrolling 0
EdgeScrollingWarning 1
SupressOpportunityDialogs 0
SuppressOpportunityDialogsWarningProducts 0
SimWhileMinimized 0
TwelveHourClock 1
ShowPlacementGrid 0
AutonomyLevel 2
DisableAutonomyForSelectedSim 0
PetAutonomyLevel 2
AgingInterval 2
EnableAging 1
EnableTutorial 1
EnableIntroTutorial 1
EnableTombResets 1
EnableInGameStore 1
EnableTelemetry 1
EnableMemories 1
AgingStageLengthBaby 3
AgingStageLengthToddler 7
AgingStageLengthChild 7
AgingStageLengthTeen 14
AgingStageLengthYoungAdult 21
AgingStageLengthAdult 21
AgingStageLengthElder 17
EnableInteractiveLoading 1
AgingStageLengthPuppy 0
AgingStageLengthDogAdult 0
AgingStageLengthDogElder 0
AgingStageLengthKitten 0
AgingStageLengthCatAdult 0
AgingStageLengthCatElder 0
AgingStageLengthFoal 0
AgingStageLengthHorseAdult 0
AgingStageLengthHorseElder 0
LunarCycleLength 3
LunarPhaseLength 0
EnableLunarCycle 1
EnableLunarPhase 0
EnableStoryProgression 1
EnableVampires 1
EnableWerewolves 1
EnablePets 1
EnableCelebrities 1
EnableFairies 1
EnableWitches 1
EnableHorses 1
EnableOptOutCeleb 0
ReceiveConnectTNS 1
ReceivedDevGift 0
PostFilterFlags 0
RequireLoginBeforeLoad 0
SummerLength 7
FallLength 7
WinterLength 7
SpringLength 7
SummerEnabled 1
FallEnabled 1
WinterEnabled 1
SpringEnabled 1
IsCelcius 0
FogEnabled 1
RainEnabled 1
SnowEnabled 1
HailEnabled 1
InvertHorizontalRotation 0
InvertVerticalRotation 0
VideoCaptureSize 1
VideoCaptureQuality 2
VideoCaptureSound 0
VideoCaptureTime 60
VideoCaptureHideUI 1

On the more recent versions of Windows, "Not Responding" is not fatal like it used to be. It means that some time has passed since something interesting has happened with what the program is doing and Windows suspects it might be stuck -- I get these false indications on many programs, even my web browsers sometimes, not just with TS3.

On the super long shutdown, have you tried waiting it out to see if the program recovers and exits gracefully after a while? It could be something simple like caches or that dreaded FeaturedItems folder updating slowly.

I think you should be able to play the base game and a few EPs just fine on that laptop, though some of the heavier ones like Pets and Seasons might be too much for the integrated graphics (opinions here will vary on that point). More RAM will only help things along as 4 GB total is kind of tight these days especially for long-running ongoing games.

Thanks for the replies. I actually created a sim to test after installing Ambitions and it seemed to be okay but let's keep fingers crossed.

i have a two and a half year old Dell laptop that's seen much better days and that's pretty much the opposite of a gaming computer. but i manage to run Sims 3 with Ambitions, Late Night, Generations, and University Life. it just takes a bit of patience as there is some lag, though not so much that you can go, like, clean the bathroom while the game boots. just remember to save as often as you can bear to take the time to, and you should be fine!

The reason why you're able to run/play TS3 better in your older laptop (most of the case) is because TS3 don't have any problem detecting your graphic, your new laptop is too new for TS3, that's why (based on your DeviceConfig) it says it didn't found your Intel HD Graphic 620.

Is not that your new laptop can't run TS3, but anyone with the newer or newest system needs to get their graphic recognized by TS3, and in addition to that the user will also need to run FPS Limiter (or Nvidia Inspector for Nvidia graphics or MSI Afterburner for ATi/AMD Radeon HD Graphics) to protect the gpu, FPS Limiter also help reducing the lags happening in the game, those two are.. "a must have" if you want TS3 run well fit in to your new system, the problem with the Intel Graphic.. to cap the FPS while the game is running, it needs FPS Limiter to be installed, but that only doable if your TS3 version is 1.67, but if your TS3 version is 1.69.. then you won't be able to run FPS Limiter for your Intel HD Graphic because TS3 1.69 can't bypass the launcher to run the game and FPS Limiter at the same time.

So I think the best solution for you to be able to play TS3 (and run FPS Limiter at the same time) in your new laptop.., get TS3 1.67 instead of 1.69, so if your TS3 is 1.67, then just make TS3 recognize your Intel HD 620 and run FPS Limiter and try it again.., but if your TS3 is 1.69, even if your TS3 recognized your Intel HD 620, you won't have FPS Limiter installed and you'll experience more lagging in the game (and eventually it will damage your gpu), so instead of buying a new gaming laptop which equipped with Nvidia or Radeon Graphics, why not get TS3 1.67 instead, it's way cheaper than buying gaming laptop and EA won't bug you with their updates anymore

PS (Edited): As for the spinning disk, go get the NO CD mod from NRASS (or you can also use Awesome Mod) and remove your Disc from your DVD tray, maybe your TS3 disc is bad or have some scratch or something else..

Thank you for all the good advice. I think I was just freaking out a little actually having my own laptop now. I have been experimenting and I can load Sims 3, Ambitions, Late Night and Seasons. I did this recently and I downloaded a clean neighborhood for myself to populate as I like my own Sims 99% of the time. I found a website explaining how to put the settings based on your machine and I can run everything pretty high now if I want--I generally care if the Sims look good but things like trees or view distance not so much. It will be a slow project (I'm getting over a bad cold) and I am debating whether I was to use a mod again for Story Progression (more interesting). I'll see. Thank you very much again.

I ran The Sims 3 with a couple of expansions on a Dell Latitude E6410, which the laptop it'self doesn't work anymore after the hard drive went on it twice. But I was able to get a solid 30 FPS, I remember with the settings were at medium with somethings turned down to low. Though it dropped at times to mid teens. I was able to play the game without fussing to much. Now I own a gaming PC, which the game runs very well on it, averaging around 60-80 FPS. Of course, I did do some things with my CC such as merging them together for better performance and as well, I disabled animations in Windows to get some more FPS. Now my game runs pretty smoothly and I have no problems with it at all. Of course, it does lag quite a bit at times but most of the time, it's pretty smooth

The core reason as to why I removed Sims 3 from my computer lies in lack of optimization. Anyway...I had Acer aspire e1-510 laptop where I played Sims 2 with all ep and sp, including 5+gb of mods...without lagging. It would lag here and there but mostly when switching households. It would take few seconds to load the lot.
The sims 3 barely worked on laptop. My boyfriend gave me his computer which was more powerfull than laptop. 8gb of ram, quatro core cpu, amd graphics of at least 2gb. The sims 3 worked, but then...in CAS-the lag was unbearable. At the point I only had few sp and few ep. I didn't want to install them all, because I didn't like some of them. And there was no cc. The loading in cas was extremely long, it would take an hour to create the character and another hour to choose outfit. I've tried with master controller and it barely made a difference. I've tried following Carl's tips with clearing cache...no difference. I've even resorted to changing graphics rules, setting them to 4, 3, 3, 3. No difference. After this point, I've pretty much gave up and removed Sims 3 altogether. Then I got Sims 4 for xmas. That game...in cas works like a charm. Loads fast, no lag yet. The catalog loads nicely. Only issue is lack of certain cc. Right now I have around 200mb of cc for sims 4. And game shows no lag to begin with.
In my opinion, sims 2 and sims 4 will work perfectly, while sims 3 fails. It looks graphically better than sims 2, but that's all it offers. Graphics in sims 2 can be fixed with mods. They can do only that much. Having pets in sims 4 would be nice. Pets in sims 3 were awesome, but game was just horrific with its flaws. Ea has outdone themselves with it...and not offering any assistance. That's just my opinion.