everytime i try to run nvidia control panel, specifically manage 3d settings, it crashes. I get:

"NVIDIA Control Panel Application, 7.5.790.0 has stopped working - A problem causes the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available"

Ive searched around and I cant find a solution that works. 

i tried revo uninstaller, guru3d's drive sweeper. - fresh installs and it isnt working. 

some have mentioned that long file and/or folder names may be the cause, especially if its on the desktop. i removed it all and nothing. i ran process monitor, but im not really sure what im looking at. i saved the log file but its 41mb!

i also tried installing the latest beta driver, no dice.
 
This is the error in even viewer:
 
Faulting application name: nvcplui.exe, version: 7.5.790.0, time stamp: 0x5290e39a
Faulting module name: nvgames.dll, version: 6.14.13.3193, time stamp: 0x5290e60e
Exception code: 0xc0000417
Fault offset: 0x000000000023554c
Faulting process id: 0x1288
Faulting application start time: 0x01cf0249135992f6
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\Control Panel Client\nvcplui.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\Display\nvgames.dll
Report Id: 5206ed37-6e3c-11e3-82ed-ac220b2780fe
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:
 
 
 
I have a GTX780 SC (no OC)
Asus Maximus VI Hero
I7-4770K (small OC to 4.4)
16gb gskill ripjawz z ddr3-1600
windows 8.1 enterprise x64
Asus VW246H montior connected with DVI
 
 
thanks for the help.
 

still happens at stock CPU speeds with mobo loaded with default settings. Bios is fully updated. 
 
Sucks b/c I have a 1440p monitor coming and really want to get in there to tweak refresh rates. I also need to setup threaded optimization. I really dont want to do a full system restore.

I have a Corsair HX750 - Gold Rated. Its like 2 years old.  All my games run perfectly fine. I ran 3D Mark and the system is stable. I shut down every unnecessary process as well. I didn't think to try changing out the cables, I suppose I can give that a go, but the card and everything else seems to be working fine. This seems more like a software issue - something is causing the application to crash and just cant figure out what it is. I don't really understand process monitor well enough to see if its something in there. 

I have...but I'm going to try it again and see if I can change the install directory for the nvidia software to something else. Not sure if that was option during install, but Ive had that cure software conflicts in the past. 

im pretty sure i have. there doesnt seem to be a very straight-forward "disable on-board graphics" option in the bios. there were a few spots where you can change from auto to onboard or pcie. there was also one other spot (cant remember off the top of my head where exactly) that seemed it doesnt show up under device manager... but