(I just started playing Aos today, I've already searched the forums trying to find an answer to my question and couldnt find one)

When I click on a server the map will download, and then the game will freeze and minimize to my taskbar. I've tried maximizing it but the screen will turn black and it will minimize again. I'm using IE on 32 bit color, and the game is allowed through my firewall, and I'm on windows 7.

I'm on version 0.54

try port forwarding (read on wiki howto)
use spadille
close some processes
reinstall aos

Sounds to me it's more of a graphical or technical problem.

Post some vidya card specs, perhaps, OP? Computer specs, etc.

Spadille seems to have corrected it.
Thanks for all the help :)

Cool beans, we're glad to have helped.