My FS9 no longer works at all...???

[Si_Combat]

Yooooo... Commoner... I had a look to see whether I had installed the FS9 patch... I haven't installed it... would you recomend that I do if I get FS9 back up and running again..

[Hagar]

Hi Simon. I suggest we get your problem fixed before you start worrying about anything else. I can't really think of anything that hasn't already been suggested. Intead of deleting those flights or any other file you could always move them to another location to back them up.

I'm wondering if you were using the No-CD patch. This fixed a similar problem on my own system when I first got FS9. Due to some sort of conflict it would only run when it felt like it. 9 times out of 10 it started loading then promptly locked up my PC. This involved rebooting to fix it which was very frustrating & a blasted nuisance. The No-CD patch fixed that permanently & I've never had this problem since. If your FS9 ran OK before this happened I doubt you have the same problem as I did. It's most likely caused by an addon, new software or changes you've made to your system completely unconnected with FS9.

PS. Once you get this fixed I see no harm in trying the FS9.1 update. If it's not to your liking you can uninstall it & revert to how it was before.

[Si_Combat]

The patch I have was downloaded directly from the Micosoft web site... I assume this is what you mean by No-CD Patch..?? I have never actually installed the patch because of the fear it may render some of my add-on aircraft unusable...
  I had made no changes to my PC at all proir to this problem. I had Installed FS Roads and an F-117A (Downloaded Payware) the previous day and FS9 was running perfectly the next day so I was in the process of refining the FS9 settings when FS9 suddenly stopped responding in the middle of my flight, from then on the FS9 program just would not resopnd.

[Hagar]

The patch I have was downloaded directly from the Micosoft web site... I assume this is what you mean by No-CD Patch..?? I have never actually installed the patch because of the fear it may render some of my add-on aircraft unusable...

No, the No-CD patch is not approved by M$ & would never be posted on their website. It's technically illegal as it allows you to run FS9 without the CD in the drive, It used to be posted here & other big FS sites but was removed some time ago, no doubt as a result of threats from the M$ legal department. I never had a problem using these No-CD "patches" myself providing you have the original CDs. This is even more important as they fixed conflicts with both FS9 & CFS3 on my system & allow me to at least use the software. It comes to something when you have to use unofficial & dubious fixes to run software you've bought & paid for.

[commoner]

[quote]The patch I have was downloaded directly from the Micosoft web site... I assume this is what you mean by No-CD Patch..?? I have never actually installed the patch because of the fear it may render some of my add-on aircraft unusable...

[Si_Combat]

I dont suppose either of you guys would know where I can obtain this NoCD patch... Sounds like it could be useful to me...  
  In the mean time I will endevour to carry out all your instrustions suggested to me over the weekend and hopefully I'll be back in the pilot seat by Monday...  
  If I cant get it working, perhaps I'll try fixing a pair of wings to my PC and toss it off the nearest high building..... Haaaaaaaaa.... Naaaa! just messin' dudes...
  You can imagine my frustration though...!!!

[Hagar]

You might find it with a search. As I said earlier, I got mine here before it was removed. If your FS9 ran without it before this problem suddenly cropped up I doubt the No-CD patch would help now. The only reason I mentioned it was that it's possible the problem might be caused by your CD-ROM drive. If you have an alternative drive (like a CD writer) try running FS9 with the CD in there.

[Si_Combat]

  That was the very first thing I eliminated Hagar... I have a DVD ROM drive and and DVD/RW drive and I tried disc4 in both drives before testing the drives with other software that I have.... I even cleaned both drives with a lens clean disc....
  I went to greater lengths by borrowing my dads FS9 and installing it but the same problem occured...
  I'm loosing my hair mate... I've been scratching for nearly 3weeks with this FS9 problem... The very last resort is a full system restoration I reckon, which I have never tried before, which I'm reluctant to actually do....
  But as I say I will give all suggedtions to my problem my full attention over the weekend before resorting to the drastic measure...

[Hagar]

I can feel your frustration from here. I would help if I could, believe me. I see no harm in trying the No-CD patch. Not difficult to find. Look down a couple of topics from this one on the forum menu. It's simply a replacement fs9.exe. Make sure sure you download the correct one.

[Si_Combat]

  Cheers Hagar... Listen... Thanks for all the help and advice from all you guys... I'm finishing up in work just now and I'm about to head off home. I'll be putting everyones advice to good use this weekend and I'll let you all know what the score is on Monday.
  By the way... I got the NoCD patch downloaded 30mins ago...
  Cheers guys...... Have a good weekend y'all....
  Si_Combat Signing Off...