Can corrupt character data crash log-ins?

If you can create new characters that get as far as level two but a higher level character crashes the works right when logging into an area, then it's not video card problem or a faulty update upload but the chances are something somehow got corrupted in your character data that's crashing log-in or tripping over another area entry bug. The only alternative is recreating your character from scratch since CS doesn't allow you to separately store or backup character/avatar data which sucks.