Program Error with Windows Calendar

i bought a new toshiba satellite A100-1201E laptop with vista basic
pre-installed. i assumed that since the system works "out-of-the-box" i
would have no problems with programs crashing on me.

not so. the reminder feature for the standard windows calendar "crashes"
when it is supposed to pop up even when the program is not running. i kept
the option checked wherein reminders may appear even when calendar is not
running. i am now supposed to keep the application open so that the
reminders pop up properly. does anybody know why this happens and how i can
solve it?