I think if the goal here it to test Windows 8 then I'd uninstall VMware Workstation 9 and try VirtualBox and see if that causes the same issue. Another thing you might want to do is perform a test on your Host's RAM using Memtest86, or similar, to make sure this isn't an issue with bad RAM at a higher address then you might normal go not running a VM. If RAM tests okay and VirtualBox works you can always try earlier version of VMware Workstation however I do not believe v7 supports Windows 8 as a Guest. I've used VirtualBox for Windows 8 and it ran fine! 
Message was edited by: WoodyZ - BTW VirtualBox is free!