EQ crashing upon startup

[Syrie]

Had this exact same issue, and my steps to resolve were similar to what km2783 posted.

1. Change your desktop resolution to anything 4:3, [such as 1600x1200, 1024x768, etc.].
2. Launch EQ [it should launch now].
3. Enter the game, open the options window, go to the display tab, make sure to uncheck "switch to fullscreen mode" [you want to be in windowed mode] and select a display resolution to your liking.
4. Camp
5. Change your desktop resolution back to whatever you like.
6. Launch EQ [it should start normally in windowed mode now from your native desktop resolution].

My settings were:
Desktop native: 1920x1200
Desktop temporarily altered: 1600x1200 [4:3]
EQ window setting: 1680x1024

Specs:
WinXP Pro
Geforce 7950GTX 512mb