Just checked and you are right! The default IS to stretch. I was changing it to the "No scaling" mode. I am sorry, my mistake. So maybe that would be the the cause of the crashes? Maybe that caused some issue with my hardware?

If you really want I could try the 1280x720 resolution with the true default settings (stretch) and get back to you if it does or doesn't causes crashes.

Personaly, I prefer the little performance impact that the higher resolution gives me than playing a lower resolution re-escaled to fill the monitor, wich in my opinion looks really bad. And the performance impact of windowed mode would almost nulify the bonus given by playing in lower resolution.

Thank you for correcting me on the true default settings of the video drive!

Oh, about the resolution/refresh rate I've only used 60Hz.

Just say it if you want me to try the different Hz and/or the different resolutions again.
Thanks!