Everytime i tried to play anymap it would crash straight after pushing the 'deploy' button.
I tried re installing the patch several times but this did not work, I also tried emptying the cache folder and changing the graphics settings within the game but yet again.....It didnt work!
However,in my case it appears i had a patch problem as the game clearly states that you should have the 1.25 patch in your computer therefor i believe that no other patch will do the job ie: earlier patches or the new 1.40 beta!
So this is what i done to get First strike working....
First i had to re install my complete folder of battlefield 2142 on my computer,and yes this unfortunatly means the ever long proccess of waiting for it to download into your 'E A' downloader (formerly E A link) or for some of the lucky ones who have a disk this can be done alot quicker 
After that i simply installed the patch again (From e a downloader) as if it was the first time i had started the game making sure there was no other relating files anywhere in my comp.
Then did the same with the first strike patch, tried the game again and it worked fine!
Obviuosly i must point again for those who might not have seen but the single player mode does not work yet,which is slightly dissapionting as there is very few servers around for this patch yet-Especially ground combat zones!.. (which is good if you fancy your hand at some space combat!)
Since then i have changed my graphic settings back to high and have expierenced no problems so far,I think maybe this problem might be due to people's different system setup's and graphics cards!
My Graphics card is certainly nothin super special but seems to handle this patch fine!
I think my patch problem could have been cuased simply by a lowesy download or problems with the E A Downloader!
After all almost the whole time i had the patch installed it would always say that the patch still needed to be installed-so i would try installing it once again thinking i might not have it and a box would pop up to say that the patch is already installed on your comp?! hmmm...!
But i would suggest that anyone out there who even thinks there patch is fine and has been working well in 2142 should deffinalty try re installing it-after all what harm can it do?
Also thought I would give a quick write up about what i thought of the game so far and praise the developers even more....hehe!
I think the overall look of the game is fanatstic! They have done a brilliant job in recreating the star wars galaxy.
Althought it has to be said some of the smaller detail in graphics are a lil weak but then its not for that long your gonna be looking at a small bush on the endor moon or crawling through a corrider which with a small bit of shading and lighting effects can look how long it actaully is.
Aside this the gameplay far outseed's my expectations of the game and the sounds and fx are amazing-just like watching the film!
I also have to say as a big fan of music myself that the soundtrack in the game is awsume-really well composed and fits the game better then a 6 fingered glove! Well done to that man!
Right thats me...Hope this info can help anyone who is still having problems with the game,I think in time with a few updates this patch will be played alot more then 2142 and you can bet your pie there is gonna be some legendary battles to come!
Cheer's.
Agnet.M