Does the crash happen when you read a particular file or directory? If so then the FAQs on tracking down crashes should be relevant. (If it's not a plugin or shell extension causing the crash it's still very useful if it can be tracked down to a particular file/directory so GPSoft can attempt to reproduce it.) If not, when does the crash happen?
To configure the columns how you want them see the FAQ on configuring folder formats. (It's probably some other formats you didn't know where having an effect. The FAQ should explain all but shout if you still have problems.)