That you described seems like a driver crash. Just to be safe, download GPUTemp or a similar software and run your 'working' programs again while tracking the temperature, drivers also can crash when GPU temperature is too high. To fix drivers just make sure to wipe the current installation and install the latest version.

If the issue is related to mining then go ahead and post a question in the mining board as written by 'Potato Chips', if not then post some further information here such as what you are doing when it crashes (i,e what software are you running), your OS version, drivers version and if you experience anything like loud fan noise as well as your GPU temperature.