New User with new PC, CTD before mission start, can't fly...

[ronki53]

Hello,
New to IL2 Great Battles.  Formerly flying CFS3 and IL2 1946. I downloaded today from the IL2 website, and when I try to launch a mission, the sim will crash to desktop.  PC is an i7 with 32 gigs ram and a 3070 so there should be no problems.  Drivers are up to date. restarted, reinstalled, and I am at a loss.  Do you all have any ideas?

Edit: I downloaded premium Battle of Normandy.  Are there any other versions required in order to run this? Please forgive my ignorance.

Edited December 25, 2022 by ronki53

[ronki53]

I did a lot of troubleshooting.  The game will run if I disconnect my joystick....  It is an old Saitek Cyborg Evo Force that has been my companion since 2007. It works well with all my other sims though.  Any way to force it to work or is it time for an upgrade?