I've run CFS1 on my XP machine almost every day for the last 2 years and it hasn't crashed once.
I don't use add-ons though* and ozzy's correct saying that could be yr problem.
What add-ons do you have, if any?
Things like TG2 have been upgraded to work with XP and, if you're using old 98 files, you'll have to find the replacements rather than just installing old ones on your new CFS1 installation.
If it's not that, many problems can be cured in CFS1 by a complete un-install and fresh re-install, which it seems to like every now and then.

Don't know which XP version you have, but XP Pro is more compatible with older softer and more stable. So, you must ask, why is XP home the version shipped with many big box store versions?  

In my experience it has not been XP the problem but the capability of your PC and it compability to new programs.

In other words the quality of your video card and sound program is the main issue here. If you install newer games in your PC and they came with upgrades for your older video card and sound card then your older games may start crashing when you play with them.

The only solution is to upgrade your PC with new ones or to decrease your game video and sound requirement with in the game.

I had the same problem with my older PC when my son install Roman Total war game in the older PC.

James007

Good luck with it.
Pity you couldn't get it working while it was still available on the Zone.
The online experience is quite different to playing it as a solo player.
Many of us who became quite good offline were a tad depressed the first time we flew online and realised something of how far we still had to go.
lol

The game still exisits online because of other die-hards, like yourself, not willing to let it go.
You can already find it on Gamespy and Hyperlobby but beware of Gamespy:-
I tried it and the game actually runs very very well. But, the drawback is that you have to install Gamespy. I ran a virus check after I did it and found nine spy/adware viruses. I removed them all and, the next day, three of them were back. It took me another 24 hours to manage to find the root files and delete them all properly.
You can get different install files from them but this means paying them for a subscription.

Individual squads are also arranging meets on their own dedicated CFS1 game servers and there's a new games site just starting up which will eventually host CFS1 although it's still not part of their games portfolio at the moment.
I shall post more details of it when it appears.

You could do a lot worse than Hank and his bud's, Tko.

The 45th is a good squad and they're interested in playing many aspects of the game (whereas old soaks like me only dogfight).
They'll help you get to grips with the online quirks of the game as well.

Watch out for Hank though... he shoots first, then giggles while you head for the dirt!