OK First you will need WinRAR to unzip these files
Also, Freelancer Multiplayer is KNOWN to have issues running with Windows Vista.
I HATE VISTA, yes hate, when my wifes laptop came with it installed I paid for the entire Hard drive to be ripped out,
and a new one installed with Windows Home instead.
So, I know Nadda Jack about Vista and like it that way.
Having said this for those of you who come to enjoy the game or wish to try playing it multiplayer there are work arounds.
The solo game will work on most Vista machines with no problems, it is when you try to go online for multiplayer that issues arise.
So try the solo game first, if you like it enough for multiplay then consider the provided links and options for doing so.
I will post a link below to places which have worked on this issue.
Work arounds for Freelancer Multiplayer
HOW TO GET FREELANCER TO PLAY
Freelancer is mouse / trackball driven, it has no joystick controls.
The F1 key opens and closes the main menu and most if not all of the control buttons can be changed.
I would HIGHLY suggest that you keep the default keys for the first few missions as the game has a built-in tutorial
to assit you through the first few missions. Once you get the hang of things then feel free to change what you like.
Be sure before starting any missions you hit the F1 key and make a copy of the basic key controls and hot keays for use in the game. Will make it MUCH EASIER for you if you do this and have it sitting in front of you for quick referance.
UP; DOPWN; LEFT; RIGHT Movement, is controlled by the mouse / trackball. Firing is used by the mouse button. Spacebar turns on and off the "freeflight" option allowing easier use of the mouse when desired.
Have Fun.
Read ALL these steps carefully first, then follow them by the numbers.
1) Cretae a folder on your hard drive titled Freelancer1.
Then Download the below file to this folder, unzip it and install the trial version of freelancer.
Be sure to note exactly where the installer default places this created folder.
2) Once installed, go to the directory, right click on the folder the install created and delete it.
DO NOT uninstall, but manually delete the created folder and all its contents.
By installing the trial version you have installed the needed DLLs, WinSys, and Font files to run the game.
IF you uninstall the game it removes these files and the rest will not work properly then.
OK NEXT PART IS TRICKY DUE TO FILE SIZES SO FOLLOW CAREFULLY
AS I HAD TO CUT THIS INTO SECTIONS EVER ZIPPED
3) Download the below listed files into the Freelancer1 folder you created above.
Then unzip the files into the location you removed the trial version from.
usually for XP it is "c:program files/microsoft games/ New Folder Here", For XP 64 is it "c:program files (X86)/microsoft games/ New Folder Here"
not sure what it is for Vista so note the locaiton carefully.
Once you have unzipped the file into the new folder which shouod be named as FreelancerOrig
Remember it should be in the same location you removed the trial version from, such as.
Instead of C:/program files/microsoft games/Freelancer trial
It should be C:/Program files/Microsoft games/Freelancerorig
4) Now open the freelancerorig folder and go to the EXE SubFolder, find the freelancer EXE File and create a desktop icon for it.
5) Use the desktop icon to activate the game, for some you will get a message saying it does not recognize your video card,
no problem, simply by pass this, tell it to continue, make sure it does this check each time you start the game or it may hang up on you.
6) Enter the game and watch all the spiffy intro vid sections and once you have taken the first job
hit the F1 key to open your main menu and save the game there.
This will create a secondary folder in your documents/my games/ folder named freelancer.
This is where all your data will be saved for all your freelancer games and especially the multiplayer.
7) Now play the solo game a bit and see how you like it and to make sure it is running ok.
A few notes to make life easier for this.
A) Once you accept the first job in the bar click the equipment room tab, watch the vid sequence and accept the mnission.
B) Hit F1 and save game, then click on the Equipment room tab again to take you from the landing pad back to the Equipment room.
C) Sell your guns, and your repair / shield bots. then buy 2 Lavablade MKII Guns instead. If you do not sell the guns, and the repair
and shield bots you will not have enough cash to buy the 2 MKII Lavablades.
D) Save game
OK your ready to go to the launching pad "Click tab" and start your first mission.
8) You have several options at this point once you launch,
A) Click the "Space bar" to go into free flight or stay in controlled flight which requires you to hold the mouse key down all the time to control your ship.
I prefer the free flight option myself.
B) You have several "View" options in the game. Be sure to check the F1 menu in controls for these options.
I prefer first person so it is as if I am actually inside the ships cockpit. Some prefer second or third person views, while some prefer the rear or turrent view.
Check these out to see which you prefer. Hot keys for these views can be found in the controls seciton of the main menu via the F1 key function.
If you have any problems you can usually find me on the Team Speak line.
INSTALLING FOR MULTIPLAYER
Now if you simply want to play the Vanilla or regular unmodded version of freelancer online at the main menu select multiplayer and follow the directions.
At one point you will be given a code, WRITE THIS DOWN AND SAVE IT. If for any reason you must reload FL or it crashes this code is the only way
you will be able to locate and play any multiplayer characters on any server. Server admins will not even have this code IT IS IMPORTANT!!!!!
IF you wish to play on the RRJDS Server you have ot do a few more steps.
1) Now create an empty folder in the same main folder as the original Freelancer, so if in say Microsoft Games / Freelancer
you will now have also a folder called Microsoft Game / Freelancer RRJDS. One is for the original game and one for the modded miltiplayer RRJDS game.
BOTH are in the main Microsoft Games Folder so are seperate from each other.
2) Copy all the files and subfolders in the original solo freelancer folder, then paste these into the Freelancer RRJDS folder
3) Create a folder in your C drive or somewhere called MOD DOWNLOADS, Go to the RRJDS website and download the RRJDS MOD,
unzip this into the new folder you just created and unzip it there.
LINK IS HERE: http://www.rrjds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=388
4) Copy all of the files and folder in this mod folder you have unzipped and paste all of these into the Freelancer RRJDS fold.
It will add and overwrite several files but you want it to do this.
5) Now, go to the Freelancer RRJDS folder, the sub EXE Folder, locate the freelancer.exe file and create a desktop icon for it.
You now have two desktop icons for freelancer, One for original solo game, one for modded game.
Be sure to rename this new icon to Freelancer RRJDS so you know which is the original desktop icon and which the modded multiplayer.
YOU CAN NOT play the solo game on the modded game. Just take my word for it ok, this is why you want an Original version and the modded one.
Once you activate the modded RRJDS game, you get the video card undetected message, continue on as usual, then at the main menu select Multiplayer, Internet,
It will create your identification number, create a JPEG of this and keep it safe if oyu have to reinstall the game or something you will need this number to acess your multiplayer game online, NOEN but yourself has this so if yu lose it it is gone forever.
Once done continue on and look for the RRJDS server to show in the list.
Come into the server, create a character, and your off and running. There is no story line in the multiplayer version you are on your own from the git-go.
As such I HIGHLY SUGGEST that you play the solo game and get use to it before venturing intot the multiplayer realm, there is no learning curve in the MP Game.