Version: Mathematica Version 9.0.1.0, Microsoft Windows 64-bit
OS: Windows 7
My mathematica crashed the same way. But only when it was not connected to the internet. I changed my default printer , and it fixed the problem. Follow these steps:
1. Start menu>>Devices and printers
2. There will be one/many printers listed there. The one with a green check mark on it is the default printer.
3. If you have only one printer, uninstall it (remove the printer). That means you will not be able to use your printer. In my case, the trouble was because of the printer
4. If you have more than one printer, right click on the printer which you want to set as the default printer (choose any one, other than the one already selected as the default printer). Click 'set as default printer'.
5. If this doesn't work, set another printer as the default printer (using the steps described in point no 4).
6. If mathematica doesnt work even after trying out all the printers, uninstall all the printers. This should do it.
