Why does my Play store crash when loading app detail view (only) -- Galaxy 2 mini (Gingerbread)?

[AC Question]

Play store crashes when loading app detail view (only) -- Galaxy 2 mini (Gingerbread)

Hi.
I looked and found many questions re play store app crashes, but only for different problems.
Here's the deal:
- Play store app loads fine. Menu, settings, search - the works.
- When I download an app from the web version on my PC it installs on my android. Also fine.
- When I try to enter/click any app on the play store (to enter detailed mode/install/update) - the app crashes. Every time.

Error detail text: "The application Google Play Store (proces com.android.vending) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again".

Version info & specs:
Samsung GT-S6500 (Galaxy mini 2)
Android 2.3.6 / kernel version 2.6.38.6
Google Play Services version 7.0.99 (1809214-032)
Google Play Store version 5.3.6

I sort of tried everything (including uninstalling store updates, deleting cache/data etc). Nada.
Even when I downgraded to the factory install app store (market, actually) I had the exact same issue, so it's not an app version issue.

Any ideas would be appreciated (i.e. HELP!)

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Play store crashes when loading app detail view (only) -- Galaxy 2 mini (Gingerbread)

Welcome to Android Central! Try Safe Mode: https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-11423. If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, then something you installed is causing the problem. You may have to uninstall apps one by one until the problem disappears. If the problem persists in Safe Mode, then it's more likely to be a hardware or firmware problem.