You can try this... Click on start button in the search box type Aero and look for Find and fix problems with transparency and check for problems.
You can also try.... Right click my computer > properties > Advanced System settings > performance Click settings button ....and make sure you don't have "let windows choose what is best selected", choose Adjust for best appearance or customize it yourself.
Also, since you say it "will crash", didnt some earlier Nvidia drivers cause this even while just sitting at the desktop.
Even if its not a Nvidia card, i'd be sure to have all drivers updated to the latest.