I assume by stop cold it means you can't type in the box?
if so...
this is one of those problems with the SFCOP.exe, after it runs the movies, it doesnt have the program selected, so what you basically just need to do is click the little windows key on your keyboard to get it to minimize, then click on the program again back in the taskbar to remaximize it. It will then allow you to retype in the box.
Or, you can go to the installed directory and manually launch StarfleetOP.exe
NOTE: Single Player, and IP games will play just fine on Vista, but Dynaverse2 is still extremly buggy on Vista. Me, Bonk, and Pesty have managed to get it a bit better(see the Vista thread in Dyanverse II forums) but it still will lag badly at various points