Installing freeware

[cyyoum]

Is there a way to install free aircraft and other files for a computer novice like myself without taking a computer class? Now that I think about it the class might not be a bad idea.

[ReggieF5421]

You really need to understand files, folders and how they work in the Operating System.

Then you really need to understand how the different types of files work in Flight Simulator.

If you want addons, you have to master some basics.

A computer class always helps. You are basically unemployable in today's world without understanding those fundamental concepts.

There are plenty of step by step tutorials on this site and others. The key is working to understand the concepts, not just trying to shortcut through a setup and fly.

That only leads to frustration.

[pedmond]

Try this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBBxq6r1o9A

This should hopefully clear somethings up. Once you get used to it, it gets easy

[jeroen79]

And read the readme.txt that come with the addon.

[opaplano]

For some assistance regarding computer basics, take a look at this site:

www.jegsworks.com

(on the Main page click on"Jan's illustrated Computer Literacy 101")

Done in a style which is fun but informative too.

[wolf2]

you'll be working with folders a lot - adding new ones, inserting subfolders, putting new docs or modifying docs in existing ones, etc. btw, do u have vista? it's good for recognizing more ram than windows xp but in every other way is so insanely inferior that i, like millions of others, refer to taking a vista equipped computer and putting xp on it as an "upgrade". anyway, vista has something called a "user account control" or uac. u need to turn it off to build up your fs folders. the little boy in that video link provided above calls it "retarded", and he's right, lol! so many things about vista are. i would (and do) leave it, and many other resource-draining vista annoyances, off at all times. if your computer is so new it has windows 7 (often referred to as "windows sorry about vista") then congrats, i hear its a lot more like what vista should have been in the first place - although i think it may still have that idiotic uac, lol.

another thing u can do is just go exploring. check out whats already installed. open folders, sub folders, sub sub folders, etc. see how theyre arranged, read files, look at textures (open them in paint or whatever). doing this w aircraft and scenery folders years ago helped me piece it all together and make sense of it.

the above advice about readme files is good too. some of them also include the word "install" in the title.

[SPOFF]

Is there a way to install free aircraft and other files for a computer novice like myself without taking a computer class? Now that I think about it the class might not be a bad idea.

There is a simple answer to your question...YES. It's called a "Self Installer". Many of the better freeware addon planes have them.

Download the file by clicking Download, then click "Save". When it's done downloading go to "My Downloads" and find it. It's a "Zipped" file...looks like a Zipper across the folder. Right click on the folder and select "Extract". This opens the zipped, ie: compressed file into another folder without the Zipper...also now located in My Downloads. This is the folder you will work with.

Open the file and look for a "Read Me" Or "Read First" file and read the instructions.
It might just have a "Self Installer" mentioned. If it does you are in luck. Go ahead and run the Self Installer. As the name implys..everything will be done for you automatically, and then you go fly.

Those on this board who know a lot more about computers than I, will roll their eyes at this advice as being somehow...well..blasphemy. You have to walk before you can run. After you have done this a few times you will gain confidence and may be inclined to "Try" the manual installation method on your next addon.

A computer course will teach you a whole lot of stuff that will probably help you down the road but may leave you wondering....SO: How do I install an aircraft in FSX. SPOFF

[cyyoum]

Thanks all for your help.

[jlaurie]

I'm old time FS9 but new to FSX and have a basic question.

How do you modify the aircraft cfg file in notepad after changing the text within? ie when I'm adding a re-paint for a default FSX aircraft and want to add the additional descriptive paragraph and re number it I do it like I did in FS9 for years then saved the modified cfg.

But with FSX I can do the same thing as FS9 up to the point where I want to save the modified cfg and I get a message box headlined by the title Notepad and saying Access denied. This comes after a warning message that the cfg file already exists are you sure you want to modify it and I say yes then the next message is the Access Denied one.

anyone out there have a clue what I'm either not doing or doing wrong.. . . . .?

[opaplano]

I'm old time FS9 but new to FSX and have a basic question.

How do you modify the aircraft cfg file in notepad after changing the text within? ie when I'm adding a re-paint for a default FSX aircraft and want to add the additional descriptive paragraph and re number it I do it like I did in FS9 for years then saved the modified cfg.

But with FSX I can do the same thing as FS9 up to the point where I want to save the modified cfg and I get a message box headlined by the title Notepad and saying Access denied. This comes after a warning message that the cfg file already exists are you sure you want to modify it and I say yes then the next message is the Access Denied one.

anyone out there have a clue what I'm either not doing or doing wrong.. . . . .?

You apparently are using Vista or Win 7 as your Operating System - and you installed FS in the default "Program files" area.

Any program installed under "Program files" is therefore subject to the many "security and permisson" checks these Operaratin Systems have built in. That is why you are getting the "Access denied" message - you and/or the utility you are using does not have permission to make changes (Big Brother is watching you).

Try the following:

1. Right click on your FSX.exe file and under the Compatibility tab, set it to "run as adminstrator". That is different than you just being logged on as adminstrator.

2. If making edits using Notedpad, set it also to "run as adminstrator.

3. Turn off UAC (User Account Control) at least temporarily while making additions and/or edits. You may wish to turn it back on when using the computer for other things and/or if other people have access to it.

Many now recommend that FS (any version) be installed away from Program file - perhaps here: C:\FSGames or just C:\FSX

There are many posts on this here and on other forums also.

Hope that helps.