Will FS9 run on Windows Vista?

[bugdozer]

Since it makes sense for software to be at least a little backwards compatible, and Microsoft's record with this aspect of previous versions of Windows and Flight Simulator has been quite good, I imagine it will be. But since they are being pointlessly tight-lipped about Vista (and FSX for that matter) who knows?

[EMAPhil]

A friend of mine in Seattle- no he doesn't work for MS- has the view that FSX and Vista will be bundled with FSX as the killer app to kickstart sales.
If so MS may not want to be keen for backward compatibility. Also 3rd party developers I suspect would relish the chance to resell all their stuff to a new technological level.
If FSX is a real leap forward in look and feel then that would work. If its not then most people will stick where they are including with XP.
The other question is will FSX work on XP.
Functionality v Price will make or break it!

[LOT_Pilot]

FSX will probably be compatible with XP, it wouldn't make any sense if it didn't. As for FSX being bundled with Vista, I could see where that could hurt sales of FSX in a way. I would guess (from what I've seen people post) that a major group of people will see if their system can handle both together first, then hear what Vista is like instead of blindly buying it on impulse. Like was said above, if people need to upgrade entire systems just to run vista let alone FSX and Vista together (functionality) and it will cost maybe $500+ to do so (price), then MS would have really shot themselves in the foot with this one.

I guess the question one should look at before they purchase Vista and FSX is "Will my system handle both"? For some of us that is a yes, but I can't speak for everyone.

[bugdozer]

Why don't Microsoft just flipping tell us?! They know what FSX requires, they know what Vista will work with, they gain absolutely nothing by keeping people in the dark until it's all released. If their press releases about FSX had info about whether it will/won't run with Windows XP people would be much happier. Because if they knew it wouldn't, they'd maybe start getting their hardware ready to upgrade to Vista, so they could get flying with FSX as soon as possible.

[LOT_Pilot]

But wouldn't we wait to see what others have to say about FSX? ;) It's Microsoft - alot of the things they do don't make sense, but as long as they supply us with what we want, I don't think it makes too much of a difference. I guess we'll find out what each needs when the MSFS team is ready to release the information (hopefully!).

Edit : Besides, dosen't this belong in the FSX forum?

[ubersu]

I have no doubt that FS9 will run on Vista. However, it will not take advantage of the new architecture. It is possible, but very unlikely, that 'all' of the current add-on programs will operate properly. If any take advantage of WinXP particular features, they most likely won't work properly in Vista - examples might be any add-ons that need a windows driver to function.

DJ

[n4gix]

For crying out loud people! :P

FSX has been under development on WinXP machines for several years. To this day, ACES continues to develop FSX on WinXP machines, using only DX9 compatible video cards and drivers.

There are at least TWO of the ACES team members who have been answering questions in the FSX forum here at flightsim.com, as well as similar forums at the other major FS websites.

There have been thousands of words written about FSX, and its features, as well as the development process itself over the last few months, so if you don't know the answers to your questions you have only yourselves to blame for not reading... ;)

As for Windows Vista, of course legacy applications such as FS9 will continue to run under the new OS. Microsoft isn't so stupid as to release a new OS that won't allow 99% of the existing software to not function! :+

[sandokan]

hi to all,
in the Microsoft site it's written, with no doubt, that Vista will be able to run both:32bit&64bit softwares.
FS it's surely one of MS software that will be more advantaged by 64bit technology.
For this reason I think that FS10 will be made for 64bit and should be run consequently within Vista.
But I think that can be run also within XP at 32bit.
The problem is the system upgrading:it will cost to customers a big amount of bucks.
Almost all machine components must be replaced.
Sandokan

[tgibson]

Hi,

As others have said, the answer is yes. Vista will ship with DX9 included, and FS9 will run happily on that.

The MS bloggers have hinted that FSX will ship to run on XP/DX9, and may be patched later to include some Vista/DX10 features (no promises, though). Of course it will always run on Vista, just like FS9 will.

While the demos at CES ran FSX on Vista, it was running under DX9!

Hope this helps,

[n4gix]

>hi to all,
>in the Microsoft site it's written, with no doubt, that Vista
>will be able to run both:32bit&64bit softwares.
>FS it's surely one of MS software that will be more advantaged
>by 64bit technology.
>For this reason I think that FS10 will be made for 64bit and
>should be run consequently within Vista.

Please! Don't continue spreading "guesses."

Mike Gilbert (tdragger), who is the Program Manager for FSX at ACES, has made it very, very clear that (a) FSX will be a 32bit application, just as it has been for the past three versions, and (b) there will not be a 64bit version this time around.

Further, FSX will not be "programmed to exploit dual-core processors" either...

These kind of "guesses and hoped-for imaginings" are just contributing to confusion... ;)

[W2DR]

Well said Bill. After all that's been said on this whole subject it's amazing that folks still don't get it. It's not all that hard, all they have to do is read what the MS guys (Mike and Jason) have already said. But I think a big part of the problem may be that this forum just hasn't been the place where most of the info is to be found. I can see how a single-forum reader could be a bit in the dark as to what's going on.

Doug

[Lou_Betti]

All 110% correct, Bill.

32 bit, and will run on XP also. You can also be certain that FS9 will also run on Vista.

Regards,
[link:www.dreamfleet2000.com|http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/gfx2/forum_banners/LOU.gif]
[font size=1][font color=blue]Can you pilot a plane, instead of programming an FMC to do it for you?[/font color= blue][/font size=1]

[W2DR]

Some folks are already running FS9 on Vista :-) .

Doug

[CapMason]

Please read my preview article about it. In a word, the answer is, "YES!"
Preliminary details are here:
http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/notams06/fsx0104.htm


Watch for more details in an upcoming exclusive interview article about FSX from Flightsim Cineplex Executive Producer, Mike DeCastro

[bugdozer]

Why has this thread been moved to the FSX section when it is not about FSX at all? It's about FS9 (which belongs in the FS2004 area, surely) and Windows Vista, which is not a component of FSX but an operating system.

[FearlessTower]

Concur, the FS2004 forum was the appropriate forum. The poster wasn't asking about FSX, he was asking about FS9.

[tdragger]

<<Further, FSX will not be "programmed to exploit dual-core processors" either...>>

I assume you meant that with a smiley, Bill. ;) While technically true it's only because there's nothing special you need to do (other than be multi-threaded). So of course FSX will work great on dual core system since it utilizes multithreading more aggressively than FS2004.

[tdragger]

<<may be patched later to include some Vista/DX10 features>>

It will actually include many Vista features out of the box. There's lots more there than just DX10. ;)

[tgibson]

Hi,

Sorry, I should have limited my statement to DX10. However, I haven't heard anything that Vista will bring to the actual flying experience (graphics, frame rates, etc.). All I've heard is that FSX will use things like the "game center" (or whatever it's called) and similar interface features.

I would love to be told different, though... :)

Take care,

[n4gix]

><<Further, FSX will not be "programmed to exploit dual-core
>processors" either...>>
>
>I assume you meant that with a smiley, Bill. ;) While
>technically true it's only because there's nothing special you
>need to do (other than be multi-threaded). So of course FSX
>will work great on dual core system since it utilizes
>multithreading more aggressively than FS2004.

Of course, Mike! ;) I look forward to "more agressive multithreading" in FSX, as I've found from experience that I get much better performance on my system with multi-threading disabled in BIOS (as much as 25% improvement in fps and fluidity!). ;)

[RyanbATC]

Of course it does :)

[sclincoln]

That's because FS9 doesn't take use multi-threads. If you have an HT capable processor, just take a look at what's going on with FS9. It runs on one virtual processor only. So if FSX does use multiple threads, then it should run much better on HT processors and certainly multiple-core systems.

[loki]

Will it run better on a dual core or dual processor system? Most likely if it does use multiple threads. HT on the other hand isn't quite the same thing, and could actually be slower. This is due to things like having to share the CPU L1 and L2 caches as well as the memory bandwidth. Dual core CPUs just have to sahre the memory bandwidth between the two cores, while each processor has its own cache.

loki

[n4gix]

>I suggest you keep to facts and not personal opinions/wishes
>when posting.

Let's see... Two posts under your belt and you presume to offer criticism and advice?

Might I suggest that it is you who's opinion carries no weight whatsoever?

It's quite evident that you have no credible bona fides on which to rest your suppositions.

You have us at an unfair disadvantage, since we have no idea who you really are, but choosing a username the opposite of Mike Gilbert's, coupled with a new account at flightsim.com smells a lot like TROLL...

[nosedragger]

Yes. Vista will run 32bit and 64bit app's. It will also run DX9 and DX10 app's. It may even be able to run Xbox games since Xbox shares the same graphics API as DX10 (unless MS prevents it).

[n4gix]

>On the contrary, I'm just tired of reading posts that are
>full of BS.
>
>If you don't know the answer to a question, Don't Post!

Who appointed you to the "Forum Police" position? I know far more about the topic than I'm permitted to articulate, so I'm laboring under a handicap; while you are free to spraypaint whatever vacuuous verbiage you want with impunity.

Speaking of BS, you now have four posts: three complete non-sequiturs, and the fourth doesn't answer the question the OP asked, which was:

"Will FS9 run on Windows Vista?"

The answer of course is a resounding "YES, of course it will!"

Further, I stand by my statement: FSX will initially be released as a 32bit application, and will only support DX9 features.

At some indefinite future point, an upgrade will be released, which will exploit the new DX10 features, but only for DX10 capable video hardware.

[n4gix]

>This is becomming an embarrassment.
>In my post number (#1694), I answered that question with "Yes"
>and included an explanation.

I stand corrected then, although it was difficult to find the wheat amongst all the insulting chaff,not to mention the huffing and puffing...

I ask again, who appointed you to be the "Forum Police?"

Unlike yourself, I am a Moderator here at Flightsim.com... ;)

[ModenaManiac16]

I'm pretty sure this has been asked a million times before but I couldn't find anything about it in the forums so I'll ask it again. Will FS9 and all the current add-on programs still operate on the new Windows Vista?