I am using the C2 debugger over USB, the default option when I opened the box containing the development kit. I noticed in the connection options that the option exists to use a serial port for programming....do you recommend that?
sorry not 'C2' but EC2 (should have looked :( ). I use the RS232 interface for two reasons a) when I started with SILabs there were no USB interface and b) there has been umpteen posts about problems of all kinds with the USB inteface so I have no desire, whatsoever, to even try the USB inteface. I know that buying a couple of EC2s just to see if that is the problem, sounds stiff, but know no other way for you to find out if that is the question. See if [MCU.Tools@silabs.com] will loan (or sell with refund if not used) you a couple EC2s to debug this issue, they are quite cooperative in debugging issues.

What do you use as your IDE for development etc
NONE, there is no IDE that can do what I need done as let alone allow a REAL editor instead of some compilermakes feeble attempts at one. I edit with CodeWright, assemble/compile/link with .bat files running Keil and debug with whatever ICE match the processor I am using.

Anyhow if they bluescreen only when debugging, the use of other 'features' of the IDE is not it.

Erik