vlc 0.9.6 crashes because of vlcrc
vlc 0.9.6 for Windows crashes repeatably, but in many different ways, with certain parameter files -- vlcrc -- which it writes itself; in other words, it may write a vlcrc which later causes it to crash. It may also show bizarre behavior; for instance, playing a video, but showing the entire "Video" menu greyed out (and then crashing when clicked to quit). When vlc is opened without a media file while a "bad" vlcrc is in place, it often has a characteristic flat in its window: several broken slanted lines. Then it crashes when a file is dropped on it.