I am having the same issue.
Downloaded the maps, put them in both the main sins galaxy folder AND the
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Ironclad Games\Sins of a Solar Empire\Galaxy folder.
I also changed all the numbers to = 2 since I have the newest update for my sins.
As soon as the game starts I get a "Defeat" page. And when I keep playing, no stars show up on the map at all.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Since this is not my post, and it might be hard for me to find it again...my email is sagrymes@gmail.com in case you are willing to email me an answer. If not, I will try and find this post again later.
Thank you.