So i have the game tracker thing, put a server in it, launched it from game tracker lite, but nothing happens once cod opens, it just sits at the main screen, what do it do? is this a common problem?

I have the same issue. Once you click on launch server it starts CoD but it stays at the main screen.
While doing some research I also got to know that one can play by updating to 1.7 and then connect to a server with console. Before updating/applying the patches, when I used to go to console with "`" key type connect 176.9.154.48:28804 it used to go to a black screen showing connecting(or something similar) and then give me an error that the server is of different version. Now after updating to 1.7 when I do the same thing i.e. console> connect 176.9.154.48:28804 nothign happens

Hey all,

This is a known issue with CODWAW - the game itself doesn't support joining directly to a server. Here is a link to another thread about the same issue. Any updates will be posted in that particular thread.

http://www.gametracker.com/forums/forum.php?site=1&post=220874#post220874

Best regards.