Have you downloaded the launcher from Hard-Light Productions and activated the mod you want? Either port of the first game or the second game. Also you need to run your game through that launcher and not directly through Freespace2.exe file or desktop shortcut. If you used automatic installer, it should be in your game folder already.

You should point the launcher to this file: fs2_open_3-7-1_20150124_r11230.exe

Game looks radically better when this mod is running correctly. Trust me, you'll notice the difference.

Have to admit i'm having a similar issue. I installed everything, clicked finish and then nothing.

Went looking for the file you posted, but i don't have anything called that (see screenie). I assumed my fs2_open_3_7_2_RC5 was the same thing and launched from there. But can't find the Free Space 1 campaign, only the standard FS2 one is showing up.

Use the Launcher(.exe) to start the game, then select fs2_open_3_7_2_RC5_SSE(.exe) as your executable and then select which mod you want to run. Additionally you can activate extra graphic features.

Where did you find 27 Gigs of content?

I installed FS2 from GOG on my Windows box, copied the install to my Mac via flash drive, grabbed FS2_Open and the FS2_Launcher from Hard Light, and run in on a Mac in 1680x1050 (windowed). It's beautiful.

Start it by putting FS2_Open in the FS2 directory, click the launcher and point it to FS2_Open.

Total size is 2.7 GB. Wait, did you mean 2 point 7 gigs, or twenty-seven gigs?