Wife of FSX Flyer Needs Setup Help!

[LoneWolf]

Hello Flight Simmers,

I'm using my husband's account to post this to you (So please forgive the ugly werewolf thing!).

If you know much about FSX and the various addons available, I could really use your help!

My husband really enjoyed FSX and used several different add ons with it that he purchased online. I know that he posted on this message board in the past to get advice on setting up his flight sim and what add ons were good to buy. While he is away I've had a friend of the family build him a new PC! I'd like to install FSX and have it all setup for him so that its all ready to go when he gets home and I reveal the surprise. I've got his yoke hooked up, his rudder pedals, his throttles, and FSX installed. The only problem I'm having is making sense out of all these add ons/utilities.

I got FSX itself installed with no problems, and I downloaded and installed Service Pack 1 and 2. So I think that part is done fine. Its all these aftermarket add ons that I'm confused by. Some of these he has DVD Cases and documentation for, some of them he purchased online so he only has the installs and proof of purchase. I'm not sure if these need to be installed in any certain 'order' and what not. I don't want to just install the 'basics' and have him do the rest, I want it to be all ready for him.

I've collected a list of the addons below. If someone has any insight into what order to install them in or anything special I should know during installation. I know alot of these add or replace the graphics of the game and I'm really worried that when I install one, it will overlay the previous one and I'll have the wrong graphics if I do it in the wrong order. As you can see, he has a bunch of this stuff and trying to figure out what goes where and when is like trying to figure out a puzzle. Help?!?!

Here is what he has:

1) The FSX Deluxe Edition Boxed set and then two downloaded files for Service Pack 1 and two:

fsx_sp1_ENU.exe
fsx_sp2_ENU.msi

For these, I simply installed from the boxed set. Then ran the Service Pack 1 install. Then when that was done, I ran the Service Pack 2 install.

2) Real Environment Xtreme (He has a disc that was sent to him, plus, he has a bunch of install files on his drive). Here are the files:
RealEnvironmentXtreme.exe
REX20_Update.exe
rex_r1.dat
rex_r2.dat
rex_r3.dat
rex_r4.dat
rex_r5.dat
rex_r6.dat
rex_r7.dat
REXDownloader.exe
REX-serial-registration-info.txt

3) FSGenesis National Landclass Project for FSX (This is a downloaded File: uslc-x.exe)

4) FSGenesis World Terrain Mesh for FSX on DVD (Version 1.2)
5) FSGenesis Canada Terrain Mesh for FSX on DVD (Version 1.2)
6) FSGenesis Alaska-Hawaii Terrain Mesh for FSX on DVD (Version 1.2)
7) FSGenesis Mexico Terrain Mesh for FSX on DVD (version 2.0)
8) FSGenesis United States Terrain Mesh - EAST for FSX on DVD (Version 2.0)
9) FSGenesis United States Terrain Mesh - PLAINS for FSX on DVD (Version 2.0)
10) FSGenesis United States Terrain Mesh - ROCKIES for FSX on DVD (Version 2.0)
11) FSGenesis United States Terrain Mesh - WEST COAST for FSX on DVD (Version 2.0)

12) Ground Environment X - USA, CANADA, ALASKA on DVD

13) Active Sky Advanced for FSX and FS2004 (This one is a download with a setup.exe, and I have a license key)

14) Ultimate Terrain X USA on DVD
15) Ultimate Terrain X Canada on DVD

16) Radar Contact v4.3 (He has both the original DVD that was sent to him labelled v4 in the corner, and he has a downloaded file named: rcv43.exe, rcv43-0.bin, and rcv43-1.bin).

17) Scnery Tech Landclass, North America (This one was a download, the file is named ST-LC-NA-1-4_setup.msi)

Phew. Done!

I also found a Cessna 172 and a Dreamfleet Baron but I think those were back from when he was playing FS2004 and won't work with the new one.

This is probably all elementary to you guys, but to me, I'm lost and would certainly appreciate the help!

Thanks to everyone!

[Paxx]

Depending on what you replaced his Q6600 system with he may not be to pleased. Frankly I cannot think of a worse software application to "surprise" someone with. FSX is not like most software, i.e click setup and install it. FSX requires unique install procedures and system components for best performance. Setting FSX up can take hours if not weeks of tinkering and careful consideration of all details before taking even the simplest of steps. It is probably best that you let him set up FSX and the add-ons himself. For some this is half the fun.

That said, this guide may be helpful. Listing what components the new computer consists of (OS/GPU/CPU/MB/RAM/HD etc.) will help others who might be able to make suggestions (overclock), getting you out of the coming "trouble" with your husband . Again, I would strongly recommend letting your system builder concentrate on getting the hardware right, and let your husband set up FSX along with everything else. I would also suggest leaving his current setup on the Q6600 system as is.

Sorry.

[majorv]

Dear LoneWolf's wife:

I think it is a lovely thought to surprise your husband with a new computer to run FSX. FSX is one of the most demanding and fickle PC software applications there is, and all of us constantly wish we had newer and more powerful computers to run it on. I'm sure your husband will be thrilled with your thoughtful gift - he is a lucky man! (and obviously not a "LoneWolf"!)

That having been said, Paxx is right as well. Every PC runs FSX differently - it literally takes months of tweaking to get it to run decently on each PC. Installation of FSX requires extensive planning (you have to pick the optimal hard drive, if you have more than one; set up partitions; install each component and constantly restart; defrag; do many, many optimizations; tweak the fsx.cfg and the settings for each add-on, etc., etc., etc.) You could do everything right and FSX will still run horribly until you set things up just so within the program (screen resolution; sound settings; display settings; autogen/scenery settings; etc., etc., etc.). Consequently, I would not waste my time trying to have everything set up perfectly and ready to go when he returns - it takes an experienced FSX user to do that, based upon plenty of trial and error.

I agree with Paxx's advice - have your friend make sure that all of the PC hardware is set up perfectly, and that you have installed all of the latest operating system updates and device drivers. Then your husband will have a "clean slate" upon which to build his FSX installation piece by piece. This is actually part of the "fun" (for some of us, at least) and the challenge of FSX. It is most fun when you have a brand new PC to run it with!

Best of luck to you.

Major V

[brigs2381]

I just have to say, the link that Paxx provided of NickN's optimal FSX setup is THE way to go IMO. I have used FSX for quite some time on and off and never had it running as good as when I did a full HDD re-format and installation of Windows 7 using that procedure! But yes, as the other guys here put it, it takes a long time to tweak and get all the settings you want just right. The current FSX install that I did from NickNs' setup is about a month old now and I am still making adjustments for best performance....especially if I add an add-on. I'm thinking if you read through the link that Paxx gave you for NickNs install procedure, you could get a good idea on what you have done and havn't done so far. Print out the procedure and cross off the stuff you have done already and continue from there; I know it will be out of order probly from what the guide shows you, but at least you could salvage the work you have done so far for the FSX install.

That's such a sweet suprise for your husband! Regardless, it's the thought that counts IMO, and if things are not set to his liking, I'm sure he would gladly go through and install everything the way he wants it, especially having a new system ^^ GL

[Paxx]

Yes you are both correct, odds are the new system will be overclockable to around 4.0GHz, with which Lonewolf will most certainly enjoy improved FSX performance, and I should have said so in my original response. I know my attitude these last few weeks has not been the greatest, chalk it up to quitting a 30 year smoking habit this month.

Sigh, such is life and my apologies go out to Mrs. Lonewolf and the community at large.

[noell]

Well Done Paxx! That's tough one to kick and you are to be congratulated.
My wife is talking about quitting. If her attitude changes are similar to the small amount of attitude change detected in your recent forum responses, I'll be really surprised and pleased!
(With apologies to Mrs. Lonewolf for this off-topic interjection).

[PPSFA]

There is another option if you want it done right, and fast.... www.fs-gs.com

They will get you set up and tweak your system for its best performance, but, it is also a 'pay' service.

[ScatterbrainKid]

..Setting FSX up can take hours if not weeks of tinkering and careful consideration of all details before taking even the simplest of steps..

Steady on!
I installed FSX straight out of the box 3 years ago and it ran perfectly after just a couple of minutes of juggling the settings, and has been running perfectly ever since..
The problems only start when people begin downloading various big add-on packages such as scenery and weather etc, THAT'S when some heavy-duty prolonged tweaking might be needed.
Me, I just download the occasional add-on aircraft now and again and have therefore been relatively trouble free.

PS- Hey Mrs Lonewolf, a good compromise might be if you just installed the basic FSX disks and let hub do the tweaks and install the add-ons himself..

[Goatman24]

Wow, I'm really impressed with everything you've done so far.

Do you have any sisters?

Just kidding, good luck with the project.

Mitch

[shermank]

This is as good a time and place as any, to post this oldie but goodie...Enjoy!

Sherm

Note from a Pilots Wife

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Darling,

I'm posting this message in your newsgroup, as I know
this is the only way to get it to you since flight
simulation entered our lives two years ago.

The children are doing well. Our son is seven now and
is a bright handsome boy. He has developed quite a
flair for art. He drew a family portrait for a school
project. All the figures were good, but yours was
excellent. The computer, the model airplane, the
chair, and the back of your head are rendered in
detail and stunning accuracy. You would be very proud
of him.

As you'll recall, our precious little girl turned
three in September. She still remembers that you spent
the whole day with her on her birthday. What quality
time it was for her when you allowed her to watch you
recreate Amelia Earhart's last flight! She was so
sorry that she crashed before your plane did, but she
was *so* sleepy. Poor thing. When she asked how come
Daddy's TV only had a grey picture, I told her you
were staring at fog. Was I right?

I'm also doing well. I went blonde about a year ago,
and was delighted to learn that blondes really do have
more fun.

Lars, I mean Mr. Swenson the department head, has
taken an interest in my career and has become a good
friend to all of us.

The house is in good shape. I had the living room
painted last Spring. I'm not sure if you noticed it. I
made the painters cut air holes in the drop cloths so
you wouldn't be disturbed. They were very apologetic
about splattering your charts.

I've discovered that the household chores are much
easier since you allow me to vacuum around you instead
of using the feather duster that makes you sneeze and
streaks your goggles.

I will be at the ski lodge this weekend with Lars and
the kids. Don't worry darling, we have seperate
bedrooms. He is very well aware that I am married.
I'll try to call you. If the line is busy, I'll know
that you are connected by modem to your flight
instructor who is demonstrating advanced manuevers. (I
still can't believe that he's only thirteen. His
parents must be very proud of him.)

The housekeeper has been instructed to keep your
coffeee cup filled and to give you a fresh straw every
three hours.Just let her know when you're getting
hungry, and she'll give you some frozen pizza to suck
on.

Good luck circumnavigating the world via the poles.
Should be a fun weekend! See you Sunday night!

Fondly,


Carol (your wife)