Could your instability be attributed to the fact that you might not be running the actual release version (or has been modified in some nefarious way)?

I should have mentioned that I also had the md5 of the release image. Needless to say, I verified it. There is no practical possibility that it is not bit-for-bit identical to the retail version.

Given that you acquired an illicit copy over the intertubes of unknown origin and authenticity, perhaps you should refrain from commenting?

I checked the file in the same way you would ascertain a Linux iso you downloaded from an unknown source over the internet is genuine. There is no doubt whatsoever about its origin and authenticity.