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I remember from the couple of times loading this game on my machine that your sound settings can stop the intro from playing properly - play with them and see if that has any impact.

The hardest thing for me to accomplish was to defeat the Morgruls, because no matter how hard I tried to build up my resources, I would never have enough fighters to take over their uber-fleet. So all I would do is have a fleet large enough to destroy their homeworld's picket of fighters shortly after their main force departs for your homeword. Slow the speed right down and attack again and again.
Now I say again and again because being poor humans I can only afford about 40 tanks to take along, far less than the morgrul force. However, you can retreat instantly at any time.

Set up your tanks in an echelon like thus

 * BB
AA

where AA is directly facing the top-most tank unit of the opposing force. Let them roll all the way to you. The morgrul unit will fire at AA when it comes in range, but just before this BB will be able to fire. If you split your units so that AA contains one tank and BB contains 30 - the exchange of the salvo will be in your favour. After one shot, retreat and repeat. At the worst you will lose one tank per attack, and if you're lucky you can end combat before the morgruls have fired.

Eventually you will fritter down their forces to a manageable size. Take the colony and celebrate because the hardest part of the game is over!

The second big tip. Once you have defeated the Morgruls, it is best if you do not go exploring the new systems. This will trigger new game events and you might not be ready for them yet. If you stay put you can consolidate for as long as you need.