If you are trying to open .3ds files you should use the import command instead of open otherwise it wont import the textures.
The crashing probobly has to do with the .3ds files, I've got this problem to.
Things that can cause O2 to crash when importing .3ds files:
1. Files exported by Milkshape3d sometimes crashes solve this by open them in MAX and export them again.
2. Tiling and Offset options set in materials in MAX can sometime cause problem, remap your model can solve it.
3. Double sided faces can cause problem 02 dosen't support this solve this by replace them with two simular polygons that faces different direction.
Hope this helps.