FSX is forcing me into Vista.

[NicksFXHouse]

Hmmm

Didn't have any problem like that. I didn't have SP2 installed in my XP Pro after all the criticisms I've read about it and I always thought it would reduce my FR in FS2004.

Far from it. Installed it for FSX and FS2004 runs smoothly and at least as fast as before. Could even be a bit quicker...

Yes Sir!

Nothing wrong with SP2... 99% of the SP2 problems stem from AV being run while the update is being applied, an overclocked system which SOME PEOPLE think they can run while installing O/S and updates like that - OR - they did not reboot SEVERAL times after running the SP2 update and it was buggered because they went directly to making settings changes and cleaning out temp files before it had the chance to finish installing.

SP2 introduces a few new services and resets a few things that need to be turned off to recover the memory and CPU cycles the items suck, and that is why low memory systems may see a performance difference however once the junk has ben shut down, SP2 provides a FASTER platform for gaming.

Running the DX9 web update once every 3 months is also important. Many do not realize their DX9 is not up to date and it will install updated files based on finding SP2!


There is nothing wrong with SP2.

[NicksFXHouse]

Their out here

x64 is here
Cheers
Cameron

Vista and Windows x64 are 2 different things.. you cant run x64 drivers on Windows Vista. the drivers must be specific for VISTA

[NicksFXHouse]

Roger,

Another thread (somewhere here) mentioned that the SP2 upgrade involved three or four package installations that if you didn't get them all, your machine would slow up. Did you see this when you installed SP2? I have the demo and SP2 sitting waiting on my hard drive, but still vacillating on installing SP2....

Wish I was more decisive...

After installing SP2, reboot the system at least 3 times waiting about 5 minutes between the reboots once it returns to the desktop.

After that is complete, got DIRECTLY to Windows Update and install ALL the SP2 and critical updates, reboot as it instructs... THEN RETURN to Windows Update... it may take as many as 4 returns to Windows Update to get all the updates for SP2

Once your finished at Windows Update, go to the Direct X website and dowload the latest Web Updater.. and run it

Reboot and your all set

[Woodlouse2002]

Or buy a mac and kiss goodbye to SP2 and rebooting.

[Fozzer]

Or buy a Mac and kiss goodbye to SP2 and rebooting.

...sounds like an excellent idea to me, Woody, to save all that faffing about with Uncle Bill and his bleedin' SP 2 malarkey... ...!

Come back home Steve......!

LOL...!

Paul.... ...!

[microlight]

Nick,

What will need to be turned off once SP2 is installed? Windows Firewall, stuff like that I suppose. I use Firefox so I suppose I'll need to dust off IE to visit the Windows Update site.

[NicksFXHouse]

Nick,

What will need to be turned off once SP2 is installed? Windows Firewall, stuff like that I suppose. I use Firefox so I suppose I'll need to dust off IE to visit the Windows Update site.

Its really a shame the XP firewall has gotten such a bad rep from a combination VIRTUAL PARANOIA and ignorance because of lack of education in networking/software firewall technology. That firewall is all that is needed along with a Hardware NAT firewall provided by a Linksys or other router. This bit about running 3rd party firewall software on top of everything else is just plain Bull droppings and does nothing but PREY on paranoia by having boxes pop up saying"OH MY GOD.,.. YOUR SENDING A SIGNAL TO THE INTERNET!!!"

tOOO FUNNY and very sad. Additional firewal software kills performance even if you shut it down with some of them.

I use the Windows firewall and a Linksys Router... Never been hit and never will be.

[microlight]

Nick,

Many thanks for this stunningly detailed tute! If this doesn't get me on the right road, nothing will! I'll let you know how it goes.

Martyn

[NicksFXHouse]

Nick,

Many thanks for this stunningly detailed tute! If this doesn't get me on the right road, nothing will! I'll let you know how it goes.

Martyn

If you want I can post a list of settings/proceedures that will lock your system up so tight, no hacker would wast time screwing with it even if they found an open port to work with.

[microlight]

That would be great - thanks. My XP Home installation operates through a Netgear router with a built-in hardware firewall, although I do have the Windows firewall disabled.

[NicksFXHouse]

That would be great - thanks. My XP Home installation operates through a Netgear router with a built-in hardware firewall, although I do have the Windows firewall disabled.

I would enable it... but it will enable automatically with SP2


SP2 is actually needed for maximum Windows Security, without it you are definitely open to attack no matter what you are running for security and Firefox does NOT make it safer.

That's another story I wont get into right now.

I will post a complete security list when I have time, right now I am at my office and cannot spend the time on it but I will post it some time this evening. Once implemented you will be more secure than than Queen Guinevere surrounded by the knights of the round table.

All you need to do is make sure you visit Winders update once a month for the critical updates, nothing else.

[richardd43]

Their out here

The 88.61 drivers do not work with the 7950 GX2. The 7950 requires it s own set of drivers to work properly. The current Vista drivers do not allow the Dual GPU function to be activated.

[Arnimon]

So much useful hints! Thanks a lot Nick!
My only (personal) prob is,there are some things that i

[ctjoyce]

Vista and Windows x64 are 2 different things.. you cant run x64 drivers on Windows Vista. the drivers must be specific for VISTA

check the link. Its for Vista x64

Cheers
Cameron

[ctjoyce]

Or buy a mac and kiss goodbye to SP2 and rebooting.

\And realise that your running a Vista looking Unix PC.

Cheers
Cameron