Im running Vista Home Premium on this laptop, and I have no problem getting past the intro screen and into the main menu. As a matter of fact I can actually play the game without a problem. The only issue I currently have with the game is that im running the Toshiba Satellite with a display setting of 1440 x 900. However, I do run into a problem when I try to change the resolution, it makes it so big that all I can see is the "abbrechen" box and nothing else. Then when I try to restart the game all it does is start up for a split second and then goes directly back to desktop.
Im sure the issues does lie within Vista in my case, as the game is made for Windows2000/XP. As far as you not even getting into the game, I really don't have a clue as to what the problem could be.
Perhaps try installing patch 1.3. And I would also suggest you look into the LA Total Convertion Mod, as it actually translates the game into english as well as add over 60 American Emergency units into the game, if you ever get that far.