Started Custom game in "Advanced Start". Find that I cannot add Techs, units, improvemments etc:( Any help available?

The first thing you need to do is build a city.
IIRC you have to select the build city icon on the pallet and then click on the map.

Thanks for your help. Click to select and place city on map, still no go. Map got centred on location where I happen to click. Also noticed that some tabs on pallet eg units, terrain; are completely empty. ???

I am having the exact same problem. I didn't have this problem before but then I reinstalled the game on my new Vista machine and since then have not been able to do anything with advanced starts.

I also get a strange "map mode" palette that I cannot get rid of. The only thing that I can do is click "begin" which then autogenerates cities and units, after which I'm prompted to name the cities. Very odd.

Any help would be much appreciated.