Game loads w/very dark screens and small print

[Castellon]

Definately a windows problem since you get it even when HOI is not running.

And definately video related. So that means either your Video card / driver, or your Monitor/config.

First the color depth you want is 16BIT, not 256.

My first guess is that you do not have your monitor configured properly.
If your monitor is that old then chances are windows has a driver available to you for it, try that one.

 

[Castellon]

As monitors age their ability to run at high refresh rates diminishes.
60 is the lowest you can run 1024x768 at. So as long as you are still there you are okay.