The random crashes are due to system differences. You can find some of the most common problems/fixes below.
I'm pretty sure that most of the random crashes can be attributed to sound conflicts...there are a couple of fixes:
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From Gerhart:
Ok it took me awhile to remember how to do this but it's really easy.
I'm using XP Pro so I don't know if it's any different for Vista/window 7.
Go to Control Panel and click on Sounds and Audio Devices. Choose the last tab, it should read "Hardware". Now double click on "Audio Codecs". In the new window click on the "Properties" tab, choose one of the codecs and click on the "Properties" button on the lower right bottom. Now pick the option "do not use this audio codec" and press apply.
Fire up the game and try to replicate the same situation when the crash occured. I know this seems rather bothersome but it may help eliminate the possibility of it being a codec problem instead of a mod issue.
Depending on how many audio codecs you have installed, this could take a really long time. Actually if you do have a lot on your system, this could eventually cause conflicts for your system.
Here is also another idea. Write down the codecs you have installed and do a comparison with others that have the same issue. Those that don't have the problem can also compare their codecs so that we know which ones are good. Right now I only have 11 codecs installed, since I recently formatted and reinstalled my OS.
EDIT here's a link to exactly the same thing I posted but with pictures http://www.updatexp.com/windows-xp-codecs.html
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or try this from Dzzoro:
To those that has this weird bug of crash to desktop. this is just temporary till we find a fix. go to module.ini
And set these values to 0
scan_module_sounds = 1
scan_module_music = 1
And it will look like this.
scan_module_sounds = 0
scan_module_music = 0
see if this temporary stops the crashes.
Edit: more info from Dzzoro below
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After reformating the sounds, we managed to produce the same bug on my computer. Please check the following:
make sure you don't have wmplayer.exe running in the background. Hit ctrl+alt+delete and start task manager and check processess. If this is running, hit end task. Also check for WMPsideShowGadget.exe. This will keep restarting wmplayer.exe, so disable it as well.
check again for:
WMPsideShowGadget.exe
wmplayer.exe
make sure they are not running in the background, if they are, disable them.
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Some uses have had success changing to dx7.
Fawzia and I have tried everything to get these sounds compatible with the rest of M&B, but some players are still reporting crashes, so try one of the above fixes.