The help thing is because of Windows 7, and the older version of a help file that FOF uses. Go here and download the fix -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917607
It's always interesting, after years of dealing with the user-unfriendly interface and idiosyncracies, to see someone new take it up. Welcome aboard.
It really is a good game, but there are some very weird things about the interface.