Don't forget to make sure sh4.exe is Large Address Aware when you decide to start over with a clean install. Here's the link to the thread describing the process:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=202192
I'm embarrassed to admit I've been crashing to desktop for several days and trying many combinations of mods because I forgot this step. I couldn't even get out of Pearl; as soon as I looked around windows was looking for a solution.