It gets stuck at decoding borg.wav
it says it's being used by a different process and I know it isn't!

Same happens to me.

Unfortunately, I don't have a working CD drive on another pc to install FO and copy the files, and obviously trying to complete a normal install on vista doesn't work because of the damned decoder issue.

If it were possible to install it without the CD I'd be able to do the vista 'XP file copy' trick, but to be honest I think it's silly that we have to do this at all. And above all, the aforementioned vista threads do not explain how to solve the problem in plain language.

Therefore, I have a few (plain language) questions.

1) Why doesn't FO install without the armada CD? I understand that the installer grabs files from the CD, but ultimately this means that FO is still just a bunch of files (right?). Files don't care where they originate from, they just need to be copied. I remember the thread by Doca rather belligerently telling people to get off their butt and buy a CD, but this is useless in my case - you need an XP machine with a working CD drive.

2) Why, above all, do we have to do all that fiddling around to get it to work on vista? Someone tell me in plain language what the problem is. Usually with pc games, it's just that direct X 9 files are missing, so you install dx9 over dx10, which doesn't eliminate newer dx10 files but also gives you the files you need. So, why does the installer mess up when you try it on vista?

I haven't been able to play any version of FO for six months simple because the CD drive on my XP machine is broken, and FO is not installed on it. Perhaps there is a solution "buried" in a forum post somewhere but let's be honest, there's no clear description of what to do except for the "copy yer XP folder" thing, which is useless unless you have it installed already on an xp machine.

My message to the developers is to get this sorted. Screw FO version 3, what good is it slaving day and night on a new version when people with the latest pcs can't use the old one? This will become more of a problem with time as more and more people have vista machines and fewer and fewer have XP machines. No game developer worth their salt would expect all of their fans to so all that messing around, or expect some people just to make do without.

Even if someone were to spell out some solution to my problem right now, I'd still be annoyed that it was necessary at all. Unfortunately there is nothing jumping out at me in the poorly-constructed threads on the issue, which is probably why member keep asking how to get the thing working.

Aaaargh!!!!! Are you absolutely sure that the betafix method doesn't work? ...are you saying you don't have access to an xp machine to install? If this is true (gosh this sounds like an infomercial), send Meredith a pm as she is willing to give you the xp version that is compatible, IF you show proof of a CD (there is a thread about this actually) 
Yes I have read the vista betafix numerous times...

For Laz...
1. FO doesn't install without the armada CD because of copyright issues. It would be considered an illegal game if it did so... As above, talk to Meredith if you want that working version of FO (there is a thread about this) ... If you reaaaaaally want a version, you can find somebody... (a friend?) who'd be willing to help... or you can fly/swim/drop over to Ithaca, NY where I will gladly give you the version you need 
2. Not being a proper technician I can only assume that it is something with how Vista UAC interprets the files...

I have compiled my own idea of how to fix the issue in layman's terms numerous times however...: (though still obviously requires XP)

First, install Fleet Ops V3PR on an XP computer. That means use the official patch, the media patch, and the actual game.
Second, copy the Star Trek folder with Fleet Ops and paste it to your vista computer in your My Documents using a flash disk or cd or LAN. Don't put it in your program files (UAC will be engaged and make it not work)
Third, download the zip from the first page, first post, of the vista betafix thread and rightclick, extract.
Fourth, delete .map from your star trek Activision folder (in your My Documents) and replace with .mad and also add that other file from the extracted zip (a grand total of two files)
Fifth, play 

as you can read on the first page of the Beta-Fix Topic:
Use a Virtual Machine to emulate WindowsXP, install FO, copy the content to a folder of your choice, use the Vista Patch and enjoy 

Dominus,

1. Sorry for being snappy earlier. I tend to get alittle frusterated with speed bumps.

2. I know. Just got to see what in the way of storage devices first.