Illustrator :: CS3 Won't Open EPS?

I have had a problem recently of large EPS files not opening in CS3 on my new work PC.
 
The following error comes up when I try and open the file:
 
"Can't open the Illustration. Could not complete the requested operation."
 
When I click Okay, I'm greeted with either a completely blank page, or a page where some elements are missing - usually embedded images, which are presumably what's causing the problem.
 
Before you ask, I've tried the following:
 
Placing the unlinked EPS into a new document - no love.Placing the EPS in InDesign and exporting - I just get a blank, grey image and a file that won't open.Opening the EPS in Acrobat - again, no love.  If I PLACE the file in a new document as a LINK, I get a preview image - it's when I try to embed it that it fails.
 
Now, I'm not after a way to fix my file, because I know it's corrupted and probably can't be saved. What I would like to know is why it keeps happening and how can I stop it?
 
I've noticed that it happens mainly when I place large image files into a document. I've also noticed, after some testing to try and find a fix, that if I save as an AI file, it opens fine, large images and all.
 
I need to save EPS files so that the files can be opened in other applications. Unfortunately, not everybody has Illustrator.
 
My computer is BRAND NEW and it can't simply be a memory issue because I have 8gb of RAM. Full specs are listed below.
 
especially given it never used to happen on my OLD work PC, with the exact same version of Illustrator.
 
PC Specs
Intel Core i7-2600 3.4GHZ
8GB RAM
64 bit OS
Adobe Illustator CS3 (v.13)