The standard WerFault dialog window gives option to close or debug but nothing else. The exception code is c0000005 but that value is typical. I have been updating drivers and the like but nothing, though at least it does not crash the OS session like other games.

I have no idea if it would help or not, but, if you're using the GOG version (which I presume you are), you might try installing the latest version from the game's official site (here: http://www.warsow.net/download), as GOG's version is supposedly at least a couple updates behind (1.02, as opposed to 1.51 from the developers' site). Never tried this game myself, so that's about the only idea I've got. :)

On Windows 8 it run perfectly.

GOG has older version of game. Current version is 1.51