Sims 3 Error Code 12

Hello for a while now I've been getting Error Code 12 on sims 3. I've tried everything and nothings worked and the only suggestion that people are making that appears to be working for them is to upgrade your computer to a 64 processor. what I dont really want to do. My girlfriend also has this problem on her computer and I have seen many forms on the net for this issue so its obviously a big issue with EA's Sim 3. All I want to know is if there is a patch coming out to fix this issue or if there is anything I can do to fix it because as you most likely understand its very annoying and for quite sometime now has stopped me playing or buying any more sims 3 expansions. My computer meets the game requirements and recomendations and is fairly up to date with a decent graphics card.

Please help!