Hi Brittany,
Did you download the 64 bit PS? If so, download the 32-bit PS. Most computers will run fine with 32-bit. Running 64-bit is a RAM hog and makes the files large. For example, when I upgraded, I thought the 64-bit would be better. A PS file all of sudden became 3.2 gigs, and took forever to do certain tasks. Soon as I open that same file in a 32-bit, the file size became 250mb, and run much faster such as selecting a layer!
Your computer may be a 32-bit, and when you download or use a program that is 64-bit, it may crash your computer. Try this out and let me know how it goes!
m