I've got Windows 7 and when I'm trying to play RP it freezes, i can't alt-f4, alt tab and ctrl alt delete. I have to restart my PC and my PC likes to BSOD when turning on.
I don't think that the freeze is directly related to the RP, so try this :
In Fallout 2 directory open f2_res.ini and in COLOUR_BITS=8 set it to 16, also try to close sidebar.exe on task manager (for me in some old games causes freezes and i have to restart like you).