I have now determined that there seem to be two problems.  

1. If I compile the
sample graphical application using the generated my_vision2_application_1.ecf
configuration file (which includes precompile for vision2), trying to evaluate
the expression {EV_GTK_EXTERNALS}.gtk_min_ver or {EV_GTK_EXTERNALS}.gtk_set_locale
fails with an exception.  But if I change the configuration file to remove
the precompile and freeze, then these watch expressions evaluate correctly 
without any problem.  So there seems to be a problem with evaluating
static external calls when the called routines are in a precompiled library.

2. If I compile the sample graphical application without a precompile, then
   static external expressions are evaluated correctly, whether via auto
   expressions or via a manually entered watch expression.  However, the
   crash originally reported then occurs if auto expressions are turned on
   (crash after about 360 Step Into operations, in 
   {EV_NOTIFY_ACTION_SEQUENCE}.auto_resize on instruction `lower := new_lower').