I had problems finding the studs and keeping the molding straight. I made angle brackets, 2X4 with the correct wall angle, attached them to the studs, and then just nailed the Crown to the brackets, much easier to deal with. At the corners or joints, I liquid nailed the brackets up and this gave me a good nailer even without studs. Crown Molding is not for the faint hearted, but this made it much more manageable.
Another idea: A stud finder with a 2 inch nail finder.
Still another thought: They are attached the same way to drywall walls. You have to locate the studs and ceiling joists and fasten the molding to them.