First thing to try is; hold the SHIFT key while you try to open the session. You said its an older session and its likely that it includes some plugin that is crashing your newer rig. Holding the SHIFT key will disable all the plugins. If that allows the session to open, I would consider saving a session copy like that, and check the box for copy all audio files. Then run the copy and delete/replace the plugins, or enable them a row at a time, save>close>re-open until you can track down which plugin(s) needs to be replaced or updated
