as soon as I click the freespace icon (or choose play from the launcher) it just instantly crashes... any ideas how to get this to run?

try the basic diagnostics like checking 'run as administrator' or fiddling the compatibility mode for the application

if that doesn't work ... are you tied to playing FS1 vanilla? You can download the open source engine (FSO) which works like a charm on modern systems and looks very pretty (a new iteration of the engine is supposed to be released soon in fact). You can play the Freespace 1 campaign through that - the FS1 campaign is called FSport. The engine is a large download (especially if you download all the mods too), but I think worth it. Aside from being a large download the installation is not too bad. There is an automated installer here (http://scp.indiegames.us/bnr_installer.php) and instructions here (http://www.hard-light.net/wiki/index.php/FreeSpace_Open_Installer).

However, FS1 vanilla *should* work in Win 7, so you can try to get that working as well.

actually i'm already downloading that, just thought id see if theres a way to get the vanilla version working... to be honest I dont care how I play it I just want to use my joystick again... I'll post an update once this thing finishes downloading anyway

oh and thanks for the reply :)

update: really starting to regret choosing to install 'everything'.. this has been going for ages... should have left it at bare basics

yeah the FS2 one is like 10gb and takes forever..

FS1 vanilla plays just fine on Win7 for me.

hmm.. I wonder what my problem is then