ok here's the deal i ran a clean-up program / maw was workin' still / now it kicks me back 2 the desk-top everytime i try'd 2 default setting w config what could be wrong / other than going back 2 cleanup program 2 reset 2 before i did it ......

Dasgoot2002, I know the problem well. From your description, it wasn't the cleanup.
Here's what to do:
In XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\User Nam (Your Name)\Application Data\Microsoft\CFS 3 Mediterranean Air War. Look in the CFS 3 Mediterranean Air War folder here for a file named uisel.xml. Delete this uisel.xml file. Restart your game and all will be just fine.
To find XP Application Data folder, open your Windows XP browser and look for the Tools tab at the top. Click on it and look for Folder Options. Click the View tab and look for “Hidden files and folders”. Make sure “Show hidden files and folders” is checked. While you’re here, also make sure that “Hide extensions for known file types” is unchecked.
In Vista and Windows 7:
C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\CFS 3 Mediterranean Air War. As above, go into this CFS 3 Mediterranean Air War folder for the same uisel.xml file, and delete it.
For seeing hidden files and folders, and revealing file-name extentions in Vista:
Open a folder, say My Documents. At top left click on Organize and then Folder and Search Options. Click on View and you will find both selections in the list.
In either case, whatever you do, do NOT delete the uisel.xml file from the main game folder in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\CFS3 Mediterranean Air War.
I hope this helps.:d