First of all, I want to make sure my system specs meet The Sims 3 AND the Plus Pets add-on requirements. Here they are:
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System Information
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Time of this report: 2/10/2015, 23:10:32
Machine name: JAVERT
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.141211-1742)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Latitude E6530
BIOS: BIOS Date: 03/12/13 14:14:49 Ver: A11.00
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3630QM CPU @ 2.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8066MB RAM
Page File: 3780MB used, 12348MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode


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Display Devices
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Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0166&SUBSYS_05351028&REV_09
Display Memory: 1696 MB
Dedicated Memory: 64 MB
Shared Memory: 1632 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: AUO21EC
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (60.072Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: igdumd64.dll,igd10umd64.dll,igd10umd64.dll,igdumd32,igd10umd32,igd10umd32
Driver File Version: 8.15.0010.2639 (English)
Driver Version: 8.15.10.2639
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/1/2012 16:51:54, 8078336 bytes


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Sound Devices
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Description: Speakers / Headphones (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76DF&SUBSYS_10280535&REV_1002
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.6454.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 2/5/2013 04:59:48, 544768 bytes


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Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
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Drive: C:
Free Space: 249.8 GB
Total Space: 476.1 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST500LX003-1AC15G

Drive: D:
Model: TSSTcorp DVD+-RW SU-208CB

Also, whenever I try to open the game, I receive the following error:
"Unable to start game
Service initialization failed (0x0175d824)"

Please note I have purchased The Sims 3 along with the Pets expansion through Steam.

If my system does not meet requirements or there is no way to fix this error, please let me know how I may get a refund for my purchase.
Thank you.

Also, I see the top of this thread says I have "Pets" installed - shouldn't it also say The Sims 3? Did Steam do an incomplete installation? I've been to so many threads I'm getting tired of troubleshooting everything with just one brain.

The thing at the top of the thread is based on what you've ticked in your profile options, it has no idea what's on your computer.

Do you have dual graphics on that computer? I ask because the Intel 4000 isn't particularly well-suited to TS3, no, but I'd imagine it'd be ok with just one EP and not too many custom hairs. In any case I wouldn't expect this particular error to be caused by deficient graphics hardware.

I checked my Windows Features, I currently have Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5.1 (should I get a newer one?)

I ran the Windows Update, but one thing went wrong:

Windows Update cannot find a driver for my device. I'm on the Windows Compatibility Center page (here ) and I'm not sure what to search for. Am I looking for a newer .NET framework or something else?