Speaking of DirectX…
I can remember an odd way to “fix” some problems with Freelancer… but I can´t actually remember what kind of issue it was back then. Anyways I startet the DirectX install that comes with the original FL-CD (I guess it was Version 9) ALTHOUGH I had a more recent DX-Version already installed… The Install started and prompts that there is a newer one already running … after exiting the DX-Install the Freelancer-issue was gone. 😄 Sure… this is a SHOT IN THE DARK… but maybe you´ll try it anyways. 😉

Greetings
J.R.