12-core AE crashes with Trapcode effects

Problem description: After Effects crashes with Trapcode plugins

Bug history:
Project created on another (MacPro 8-core, OS X 10.5.6) system in CS3, using Particular and Shine.
Everything worked flawlessly.
On import into system above (in CS3), we experienced crashes on render.

Next move was to open in CS4 - now crashed upon opening any comp.
Next: upgrade RAM from 14GB to 32GB. Same issues.
Next: upgraded to CS5 - same issues.
Updated the OS and installed the CS5 10.0.1 update - same issues.
Have logged in using new admin account - same issues.
Have toggled kernel boot architecture between 64 and 32 bits - same issues.

Some sample messages:
AE can't continue: damaged i/o structure ( 39 :: 15 )
AE error: strange situation [0/2] ( 26 :: 84 )
AE error: unexpected data type

We can open projects that don't use Particular or Shine on this system in CS3, CS4 and CS5 - all operate and render as normal.

Have read a lot of forums and have run out of ideas.

System info

Mac OS X 10.6.5

MacPro 5,1
Processor: 2x2.66 Ghz 6-core Intel Xeon
Memory: 32 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 (OWC, 8 slots x 4GB)
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5770
Storage - 1TB internal SATA, 863mb available

Software:
After Effects CS5 v10.0.1
Trapcode Particular v2.1
Trapcode Shine v1.5

Project files:
Accessing remote eSATA drives via Gigabit ethernet