Windows 7 Ultimate x64
New project.
Empty tracks, so no plugins or EQ settings at all. Although it is routed to a group channel.
Don’t know what safe mode or trashing prefs are.
I’m afraid prefs does mean anything that you set in Cubase/File/Preferences…not Key Commands or macros though.
Try the safe start first…this is a temporary way to start with default preferences. If this doesn’t work then there is no point in trashing preferences.
Another thing…are you starting from a template of some sort or a completely empty project?