Gothic runs fine most of the time, but I'll get these random crashes to the desktop. It's different every time. Sometimes I'll play a good hour or two before it crashes, other times 15 minutes. It's always at different areas. I have no idea what's causing it. Any ideas?

Ok, I've learned that it's not COMPLETELY random, some events trigger crashes more then others. For example, there's a bridge leading to the Sect camp that tends to trigger lots of crashes. Also, when I try to fight certain groups of monsters, or engage in certain dialog strings. I'll find that if I do something that makes it crash and avoid it, it doesn't crash then.
Still, it's incredibly aggravating.

I've also narrowed it down to when I get attacked by a wolf. Every time a wolf bites me, it crashes to the desktop.

If that's the case it just might be a sound issue. If you have it left on the default sound settings (which I think is Miles), maybe try another setting?? Try the EAX setting, just for grins (if it's worse, you can always put it back).
If it's ths same attack causing the crash, it might be a sound issue since the wolf makes a similar sound at time of attack.

You could get a weapon that kills the wolf in one shot and never let them bite you! :o)
This worked for me regarding wolves. I went to the Mining Area and talked to Baloro and then opened his chests and I think he went off to tell someone and fell off the ladder to the bottom and died.
His weapon does something like 37 Damage and you only need like a 25 strength level to use it (near 25 anyway). This has allowed me to take on wolves and win after I think 3 or 4 hits.
However, I still get bite once so unless your better with the keys it will not help you fully, but it may be worth a try.
Fun game though, eh!

I had it set to EAX already. Changing it to something else didn't change it.
And not getting bit is easier said then done. ^_^
I'm going to try a reinstall, see if something got corrupted. I'll also be doing a complete system reinstall in a few days here (when my new 1.5TB HDD comes!), so we'll see if it's just a conflict with something else installed.
Anyways, thanks for the help guys!

It would do the generic "program has created an error". I reinstalled windows and now it works. It must have been some strange error on my end.