If the game stops responding just wait and give it time, it may continue. I don't remember having those problems, but once you get in-game you can save with the memory card and then you only need to get to the title screen to load it.
Asus Laptop: K53TA
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-Bit - SP1
CPU: AMD Llano A6-3400M, Quad-Core, 1.4GHz-2.6GHz (Overclocked)
GPU: AMD Radeon HD6650M, 1GB GDDR3 (Catalyst 13.1)
RAM: Samsung 4GB DDR3-1333
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium, 64-Bit - SP1
CPU: AMD Llano A6-3400M, Quad-Core, 1.4GHz-2.6GHz (Overclocked)
GPU: AMD Radeon HD6650M, 1GB GDDR3 (Catalyst 13.1)
RAM: Samsung 4GB DDR3-1333