NUTTZ,
I have a Saitek X-36 joystick... the stick configuration application that runs in the background sometimes causes the same symptoms you are seeing. I simply disable the Saitek auto config, start Aces High, go to offline or HtH, then alt-Tab to start the stick config.
Maybe you have an interfering program in the background... a stick configuration program, roger wilco, who knows what. But your symptoms are the same as mine, so I am guessing the cause is similar.
Yet sometimes, after a fresh patch install or just a week or two, the problem goes away and I am able to start up without disabling the joystick config program first.
Hopefully, this gives you some ideas on how to find the problem.
Later,
Stephen the Eagle
[This message has been edited by streakeagle (edited 04-01-2001).]