Software asplosions

Sims 3 has pretty much issued a royal 'fuck you' to my desktop computer.

I managed to launch the game once, successfully. I was under the impression everything was running as it should. I increased my Sims 3 game resolution, to match my screen resolution, then exited the game. Apparently, this was my first mistake. Every time I launch the game now, it start the intro, and during the intro it will simply switch my computer off.

Yes. Completely cuts power to it.

"FUCK YOU COMPUTER, SHUT DOWN."

So, today I tested other games. I know WoW works, I have also established that Oblivion (CD rom version) launches fine, got inside and dicked around a bit in-game without any adverse effects, ergo it's probably not my CD drive. I ran through steam Dragon Age: Origins and it launched successfully, got into the game, saw Redcliffe assaulted by nightmarish hordes of the undead, works. I launched The Witcher, watched the entire opening video, loaded my last save, dicked around, works.

My conclusion is something fucked up my video settings in Sims 3 and it now spazzes out every time the game tries to run the opening cinematics. Very strange. I will continue my investigation as soon as the 'proper authorities' reply to my fucking panic emails.