I am having the same problem as the OP, I think some others have misunderstood his/her issue. I get the following screen when I load any multiplayer server:
This screen remains static except for the flashing pause icon (even though I have friends in the server playing). On some servers map icons show over the black screen and can be moved. This screen remains like this until the connection is interrupted or I press "ESC", when the game promptly crashes.
same problem as http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=121955
Until recently this was not a problem, and I could host games that others could join. There has been no patches that I know of, just got back from Easter weekend holiday and it no longer worked. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
