Installed game and both patches. Click on battlefield 1942 starts up, goes to black screen and sits.
Fml.

EDIT: It worked the first time I installed it. It works without the patches installed atm.

You may need to install a codec pack like klite - might be the Intro FMV's are in a codec you dont have a decoder for.

launching from the exe?

Lauched it from Steam, Battlefield 1942 shortcut & tried the one in the folder.

Hello mate,
Try right click and Properties , Compatibility Mode
I also had to install it somewhere other, Than where it wanted to go
Try a folder on your desktop just as a test maybe ?
Good luck