FSX un-install then fresh FSX re-install question

[lancer24]

Hi, I was wondering if in trying to un-install FSX Gold Ed and then re-installing it again fresh, that if re-formatting your drive would be a good way to un-install it? I have a secondary D:\ drive I use for all my things flight sim related. My C:\ has all my other stuff. Would re-formatting my D:\ drive do the trick, then I can do a fresh re-install of FSX? Or is FSX so complex I would need to take my computer into the shop for a hard drive wipe?

[Azframer]

Formatting D drive will only solve the problem that might be on D drive, however if the issue is in your regestry the issue will remain because that is all on C drive.


Rick

[Tonydb]

Hi, I was wondering if in trying to un-install FSX Gold Ed and then re-installing it again fresh, that if re-formatting your drive would be a good way to un-install it? I have a secondary D:\ drive I use for all my things flight sim related. My C:\ has all my other stuff. Would re-formatting my D:\ drive do the trick, then I can do a fresh re-install of FSX? Or is FSX so complex I would need to take my computer into the shop for a hard drive wipe?

As mentioned FSX has registry entries on your C drive as well as hidden files under the users section and flight records in your documents folder. For a more or less thorough removal you could use Revo Uninstaller (I think it is still freeware). You don't mention why you want to re-install, maybe the problem can be fixed without removing the software. As to taking your computer to a shop for a drive wipe - why - there are plenty of programmes free or otherwise that can wipe your drive, including windows itself.

[OldAirmail]

As Tonydb says, use Revo Uninstaller, it can search for EVERY thing related to an installed program and remove it from a computer, no matter which drive it's on. If you have downloaded sim aircraft and/or scenery outside of the install folder, then it'll still be safe.

Revo Uninstaller Freeware

I've used it for about 15-20 years. Works great.


There are times though when you don't want to use Revo if you want to reinstall a program. Some programs will "hide" a license key/file somewhere on your drives. Revo will hunt down everything related to the program that you want to remove, including hidden files.

For cases where you DO NOT want the hidden license key/file deleted, use the windows uninstaller. Three of the programs that I use, that have hidden license keys/files are FSUIPC, SPAD.neXt, and OpusFSI.

But DO use Revo for FSX/P3d instead of the Windows uninstaller.


As to installing your flight sim on a drive other than the C: drive (as you've done), I highly recommend it.

A useful tip is to change ONLY the drive letter when the installer suggests using the standard location. For instance, when it suggests;
C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\
change it to
D:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\

From then on, if any program wants to use C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\, you only have to change that one letter.

BTW - the location name "Program Files (x86)" is only a special location when used on the C: drive


After removing the flight sim, you could use the built in Windows drive checker to be sure that your drives are in proper working order. Usually no need to reformat it.

[lancer24]

Hi, I guess should give more information about my problem. Long story short, I installed FS Global Ultimate-The Americas in FSX. As you may already know (but I did not at the time of install) it causes FSX airports to have a mesa or bathtub effect. Not knowing that Pilots has a disc that can fix this issue I un-installed FS Global using its own un-install feature. Thinking all was well and OK I started FSX and came across this warning message....Scenery.CFG File Error. Local scenery directory (D:\ fsgux\ant\Scenery) in scenery area.121 not found. Click OK to continue. I clicked OK and got the same message for area.122 and area 123. After 123 I received a slightly different warning message....Scenery.CFG file error. Local Scenery directory (D:\fsgux\local meshes\Scenery) in Scenery Area.124 not found. Click OK to continue. I then pressed OK then FSX crashed. I then re-booted, started FSX again and came across the same warning messages again. I pressed OK to all the errors until I got to the Scenery Area.124 one, pressed OK and...crash. So, I was wondering if a re-format of D:\ drive would be the fastest way to just un-install everything and start all over again fresh? I am hoping that these errors are not related or originate on the C: drive

[OldAirmail]

What's happening is that a "scenery" that FSX thinks should be there, isn't.

When I first started using FSX, I thought that you could just delete the scenery's that gave you trouble. What you have now, is what I had then.

It is possible to track down the problem, but the quick way is to use the free version of Revo Uninstaller to uninstall FSX, and then reinstall FSX.


There is NO reason to reformat the D: drive. But if that's what you want, go ahead.



For what it's worth, when Prepar3d V3.x encounters this problem, it asks you if you want to delete the offending scenery. No crash.

[lancer24]

Hi, sorry for the delay...work and other life stuff came up. Well I tried to use Revo un-installer, the one I had downloaded a few months ago, but the free trial of it expired two weeks ago before my issue occurred where I felt that a re-install of FSX would be a quick fix for the problems I encountered. So I decided to just get a hard drive wipe program to do the job. It should be able to allow me to then re-install FSX cleanly. I hope

[Hagar]

I would just like to point out that the free version of Revo Uninstaller has no time limit. I use it all the time.

If you've already formatted your D: drive don't forget to delete the FSX related files from your C: drive or you might have problems reinstalling it.
For example fsx.cfg is located here --> C:\Users\your user name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\fsx.CFG

[lancer24]

Hi, it turns out that I had ver3 of Revo uninstaller. Appearently it asks me to activate it by a code they send me after I buy it (although when I first downloaded it I was able to use it). I have now downloaded ver2 and it works fine so far. I was wondering after it scans FSX for left over remains of the sim if I am to delete all the entries of what I believe to be the offending files (fsgux\ant..fsgux\local meshes) or do I delete all the entries that have a check in the box? (which seems like hundreds of entries) I wanted to attach a picture of what I mean but the file was to big.

[garymbuska]

Hi, it turns out that I had ver3 of Revo uninstaller. Appearently it asks me to activate it by a code they send me after I buy it (although when I first downloaded it I was able to use it). I have now downloaded ver2 and it works fine so far. I was wondering after it scans FSX for left over remains of the sim if I am to delete all the entries of what I believe to be the offending files (fsgux\ant..fsgux\local meshes) or do I delete all the entries that have a check in the box? (which seems like hundreds of entries) I wanted to attach a picture of what I mean but the file was to big.

Not sure why you could not use the uninstall that came with FSX but at any rate you want to remove anything that had to do with FSX including the FSX.CFG file which is a hidden file so make sure you select the option to show hidden files when you are looking. I personally do not see why anyone needs another uninstaller when the one that comes with Windows has always worked for me. But even using the built in uninstaller it will leave some folders and files behind Most of these are on the C drive. Make sure you look under USERS and than under your name and than under Microsoft Games you are likely to find several folders/files here.
If you look at the top of the FSX form you will find a sticky as to where to find the FSX.CFG file on your system as it depends on which version of windows you are using as to where it is at.

[lancer24]

Hi, so all of these files are to be removed, (the ones that showed up after Revo-installer scans FSX for left over files?) There are like over 150 of them The list of files goes down from the bottom of the pic quite a ways.

[lancer24]

https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 849028.png[/img]

[garymbuska]

https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/uploads/1474849028.png[/img]

You had better know what you are doing if you alter anything in the registry. If you remove something that you should not have you could wind up with a paper weight for a computer.
The biggest problem is you will not know there is a problem until after you do a reboot or restart of your system.
I once deleted a JPG file which is an image of something and boy did I regret that when I started up my system the next day I got a error message stating that the system could not start or something like that and I did not even mess with the registry. I had to reinstall windows.
I personally would rather walk through a mind field blind folded than alter anything in the registry. But that is just me
Bottom line here is if you do not understand how the registry work LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!. You have been warned >

[garymbuska]

I have looked for Prepar3D and so far all I have found is the professional license is $199.00 and the Student version is $59.67 or something like that.
My problem is What are you getting if you buy the cheaper license. The last thin I want to do is to buy something and than find out it is limited and not the full fledged program
And frankly I am not Paying $200.00 for something I have no idea as to what I am getting.
I remember now when this first came out I could not understand exactly what you were getting and why the big difference in prices.
Can someone explain that to me. That was the one big thing that stopped me from buying it.
I did not understand than and I do not understand it now.I am not about to buy something only to find out it is not a complete program and is limited.
Any help here is appreciated

[lancer24]

Hi, I know nothing about registry stuff so I will just leave well enough alone. I will instead try wiping the hard drive. Hopefully that will wipe out all the issues I was having so that I can re-install FSX cleanly. I hope. I will keep my fingers crossed.