Seeing as a fresh install of LSH crashed AND the GWX crashed?
I tend to think it's something with your system.
I say this because I just loaded version 7 to a bone stock GWX 3 and nearly crashed into the locks.
No CTD and saved. I'll try loading the save next.
I have 4 gigs with an AMD 1 gig onboard switchable graphics Acer Notebook.
Running Win 7.1 64 with SH3 installed to my Desktop.
Can you give us a model number of your Laptop?