Every time I try and load Morrowind, the game gets stuck on the Initializing data screen, and I can't get to the main menu. I'm currently running vanilla. Is this a common problem on windows 7?

actually, i just instaleed direct x9, and it seems to have mainly solved my problem. I can also move with the mouse too.

EDIT: it still is happenning. It just skips to the menu randomly sometimes.

Please read the pinned thread about http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/781497-vistawindows-7-problems/. :read:

Also post the content of the warning.txt file (found in \Bethesda Softworks\Morrowind folder) just open it in notepad to copy (use Ctrl+A) and paste (use Ctrl+V) it here. Do you use http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1083121-relz-mlox-a-tool-for-anolyzing-and-sorting-your-load-order/?

I suggest that you should also use http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1106095-wrye-mash-stand-alone/ to install and managed your mods.

It's not a known problem with W7 (and you mentioned that you're not using mods, so you don't need to worry about any of that)

Crashing during Initialization can often be a problem with the InterVideo Audio Decoder ActiveX filter. Use the steps below to correct the problem:

- Click Start, Find, then Files or Folders.
- In the Named box, type iviaudio.ax
- In the Look in box, make sure Local Hard drives is selected.
- Click the Find button.
- Once the iviaudio.ax file is found, click on the file once to highlight it, then click File at the top, then Properties.
- Once the iviaudio.ax properties window appears, note the location of the file. An example might be C:\Windows\Multimedia or C:\Program Files\DVDPlayer
- Once the location is know, click on Start, then Run, and type in regsvr32.exe /u "[Path to file]\iviaudio.ax" (including the quotes), where [Path to file] is the location from the step above. Once entered, click the OK button.
- Once the OK button is pressed, the message "File successfully unregistered" should appear. Click the OK button on the message.

Morrowind should now function as intended

Note that this will NOT interfere with the operation of any programs on the system, and can be undone if needed.

I managed to fix the problem. I seemed to be something corrupt in the Configuration settings somehow. Something to do with a lighting setting. No idea how it happened though.