Downwind66

+1 on that Jim! That newly acquired bird of yours is so sweet looking! - Rick :cool:

No more replies or comments out of me for this topic, that is for sure! Rick:rolleyes:

Jim - I can believe that for more than one reason, did he get the same tech to look at it again, or did he luck out and got someone new that was Pro Windows 7? I have nothing against Windows 10, plenty of people out their running that system and are quite pleased with it. I run Windows 7 Professional, and it has been good to me. I currently have had some minor issues since going to an external disk drive, and maybe some of my settings did not agree with system, but I am sorting that out and I think I just about have those minor issues resolved! Anyway, glad he got the FSX going, for sure! Rick :cool:

Dogdish - You know what? We could kick this thing around for the rest of our lives, but it has not really solved anything. Microsoft says to download to the default path of C:|Program Files (x86), members of Flightsim.com say, "No, no, don't do that, you will bring on problems to yourself if you do! Load the program in a separate directory and all will be good! I did exactly as others have done, followed the instructions by Microsoft and have not had any adverse problems with running or managing the program in the past 5+ years I have had it! Mr Z last evening said "youze" guys will probably be okay until you try to edit either aircraft.cfg or panel.cfg files and then you might see the reasoning why you should not download as Microsoft suggests! I do edit these files on most all of the freeware downloads I have added to my collection. It has not given me a bit of trouble doing so! I'm not going to entertain discussing this any longer! Last evening, I merely jumped in on the conversation to assure GBJim, that I too, had installed FSX to the C:\Programs (x86) directory, and not to worry, as I had not had any problems what-so-ever with doing so! Big mistake on wanting to participate with a fellow member on this site! More often than not, you usually get caught up in a confrontation of some sort, because your opinion doesn't agree with others! I have finally gotten beyond that! I stopped listening to Microsoft since they tried to push Windows 10 down everyone's throat, they let Internet Explorer 11 go by the wayside, and what a mess I had with that! Seems like they are letting it go to the newer Edge which I hear is also going to be a nightmare. No thanks, Microsoft, you have lost my business for sure! At the present, I moved on to Google Chrome for a browser, my Flight Simulator X still runs perfectly, even though I installed it to the wrong directory! "It is what it is!" It will not get changed until it starts being an issue and that hasn't happened in the 5+ years it's been installed! Continue to encourage new members wanting to join the flight sim community, to make sure they download their flight sim to your choice of installs. I guess I was too late to get the word and I just followed the instructions I had at the time! It works, and that to me is all that matters! I fly these simulated aircraft, I edit the files to make them somewhat better than I received them and life goes on! I am pleased with what I have, not looking to move on to anything different! Have a nice day! Rick :cool:

Dogdish - See, that's what I don't understand. I loaded my FSX according to Microsoft instructions, and I have never had any issues with editing aircraft.cfg or panel.cfg files, NEVER. I've never had to do anything you are mentioning, Opening notepad as Administrator first. Tonite, I was doing some tweaking to a panel config and I noticed the changes I was making to the panel.cfg was also showing the notepad open in the lower task bar. I just made a change from internet explorer to Google Chrome and I have never noticed notepad open in the task bar until i made that change to Chrome! All I know, many on here will tell me, tell Jim (GBJim) that we loaded the FSX program wrong (and this is the consensus of those who have had problems loading FSX in Program Files (x86). This is what you should be seeing and feeling, kind of like what a doctor can tell you what kind of pain or no pain you should be feeling? If I loaded the program according to Microsoft and contrary to popular belief, and the computer is running FSX just fine, I am not concerned with it! It performs fine, it allows me to tweak the aircraft and panel cfg files just fine, and I am fine with the installation! As i stated earlier, I thought I had 177 aircraft in my collection, but one recent download just added another 5 to it. If I were having problems, I don't know how I could accumulate that amount without changing the FSX installation to something other than what I have! Jim - I in no way want a war either! The point I was trying to make with you. I too, loaded according to Microsoft and all is good, NO PROBLEMO! It hasn't been an issue for me and sounds like not an issue for your installation either! All is good over here in Sunny Florida and the sim still makes me smile! Have a nice evening guys and gals! - Rick :cool:

Mr Z, if your reference "you guys" is directed towards Jim and me, I will reply to your comment from me! I edit aircraft.cfg and panel.cfg files all the time. Seems like that is a necessity in downloading/installing freeware aircraft! I have had no issues doing so, at least, not to blame where my flight sim program was downloaded! I'd love to hear some examples of this, as it surely isn't happening with my installation! Maybe Jim can read your comment and my reply and see if he is noticing any problems on his side! Rick :cool:

Jim - I installed my FSX Gold boxed edition (minus the acceleration disk) 5-6 years ago, and not knowing or hearing of the warnings about not installing the program into the Program File (X86), that is exactly where my FSX got installed to! I have since then, at latest count, accumulated some 177 aircraft, combination of default and freeware downloads! No issues to speak of, so far! AND, that's where it will remain until I start having issues. It was my understanding that most of the problems were with scenery add-ons, I might be mistaken, but that is my understanding? I am not big on scenery add-ons, as I am very pleased the way my computer performs right now and I am not going to load it up with scenery add-ons or the acceleration disk for FSX, for fear that might send my computer over the edge of what it is giving me right now! I wouldn't be too worried about where your FSX is residing until you start having issues, which may not ever happen? If it is performing well for you and you have not had any issues so far, I think you will be "good to go!" If you "go down in flames" as a result of where you installed the program, rest assurred, I will probably be right behind you! Happy flying and enjoy your flight sim! - Rick

Enjoy the FSX! Don't underestimate Windows XP as I believe Mr Zippy on this site claims his computer is still operating with XP and in the process of helping others and seeing what he performs with that computer, it's hard to believe it is still standing up to whatever he can throw at it! When I purchased my FSX, I had some doubt that my newly purchased computer would be able to run it, but same thing, it's running fine! I am running an i5 processor 3.2 Ghz Win 7 and is meeting my demands. When I purchased the FSX Deluxe Gold boxed, I installed the 2 FSX Deluxe discs, but never downloaded the 3rd disk, which is the acceleration disk, which I believe if I tried that additional disk, the computer would quit in protest! I've been thankful for what I can run, it allows me to download additional aircraft! I have NOT tried any of the scenery add-ons out there. That too might put the computer over the brink. You just can't get greedy when you're operating with an older system, or one that doesn't have the extra horsepower to meet the demands of add-on expansions and scenery software! If it's working, enjoy it! You will know when it is time to move on to something with a little extra to handle the new goodies you will find along the way! Later, and happy flying! And welcome to this forum community. You have a great bunch of guys and gals that participate not only for their own needs, but the needs of others. You will like this group for sure! Rick :cool:

Happy flying, you picked a good one to concentrate on! I enjoy mine, a little slow for me at times, but I have other faster when I feel the need for it! - Rick

Before changes: [ATTACH=CONFIG]203621[/ATTACH] After changes: [ATTACH=CONFIG]203622[/ATTACH]

I think they are all good! Default, freeware, payware (probably, can't say, I haven't done any payware). I have FSX and I always wanted to do something with the DC-3 and then I found a freeware download, an upgrade to allow Autopilot, VOR head etc which would allow ILS landings. I did that, was very pleased, but still not enough. I started replacing gauges/instruments, radio stacks, even found an updated panel background, all flat black so I didn't have to look at the old tattered beat up panel. I got it now to where I enjoy it! And, they are a Hoot to fly! I have the default models and I believe 2 other freeware downloads that I have added to them! Anyway, enjoy the DC-3/C47 venture. It's a nice break away from the newer more complex aircraft! Rick

No doubt about the smoothness and the graphics is better on FS9, in my opinion. I just decided to move on to FSX and I am pleased with it, never to go back! But you are right about FS9, I would recommend it to anyone looking to get into flight simming! It's a good start, doesn't require much from the computer! I had both on the computer for the longest time, just wasn't using the FS9! Rick :cool:

Yes, Disc 4, always had to be inserted before the program would load. And, yes someone did come out with that patch to circumvent the need to inserting that disk to be able to use the program. Me? I was a ittle skeptical of it, never did get the patch! I moved on to FSX, so my FS2004 set sits in my desk drawer. I enjoy FSX, never would consider going back. The computer that I currently have handles it just fine. I have the acceleration disk, but have yet to download it, as I think that would probably be "the straw that broke the camel's back!" It's doing it's job right now and I'm not going to push it! Rick :cool:

Mark - Now that you mention it, I believe you are correct! I just went into the box my FS2004 came in and found a scratch sheet of paper that had Microsoft numbers on it and the last number I had listed was 69768-442-4870153-23163. I was thinking those were products codes, but I have 3 other long numbers. I think those must be confirmation numbers you are given when you download or update, in the event you had to call Microsoft for support! A lot those numbers will do you today! I think I had the original download with the one update and 2 other downloads (one for a new computer years ago and another when I thought it would be nice to have both FS2004 and FSX loaded at the same time)! Anyway, good to know, thanks for catching that! - Rick

Here's an example. Flight Sim 2004 (FS9), 4 disks with tin, very good condition, sellers says discs are free of scratches. Only question to ask seller, do you have the product key with the sale? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-2004-A-Century-of-Flight-PC-2003-Collectors-Tin/263754071359?epid=10813&hash=item3d68f7bd3f:g:K9gAAOSwydpa8fXv $17.99 w/ free shipping! And there are more on Ebay, similiar listings! - Rick Free shipping won't help if you're in Wales, UK. But you get the jest of what I am saying. You have options, I am sure!

+1 Go for the FS9 (FS2004 Century of Flight, product is called either name). Still some good buys on Ebay, ask for very good to excellent condition, make sure you get a product key, and most importantly make sure all 4 disks are in your purchase! Good luck - Rick :cool:

That's a good way to look at it! Once it has happened, it is what it is, time to deal with it! It is a lot of work getting things back, and most can be recouped! I do all i can to safeguard against it, but, if it does happen to me, I just want to be ready for it and make it as painless as can be! One of these days, I might ask you for help in turning a tail logo around. I didn't know you could do that with a paint program. Anyway, have a nice evening! - Rick

Hoss - This was always my constant worry about something happening to hardrive or computer issues in general. Without a backup you stand to lose many hours of work on accumulated downloads. I really enjoy what I have accumulated over the last 5 years and don't want to lose it! I read a post on here, members recommending an external hardrive to run system image backups. I bought a Western Digital 4TB external hardrive and have been running backups to it using Acronis True Image software! It's an insurance policy if you ever need it, it will be there! Well worth the price of the drive and the time it takes to get the system set up! Oh, and I too do not do automatic Windows updates! I wait until windows tells me there are updates available and then I go in and Scrutinize what they are wanting me to download! Since the offering of Windows 10 and the horror stories of people who inadvertently downloaded Windows 10 via updates, no thank you! If that's the way Microsoft wants to do business, no thank you! Like Jorgen says, "Take Control!" Rick