FS9 and SP2

[Rectifier]

Hello
Needless to say that I am impressed with the quality of the responses I have been reading to a lot of the questions. I have learned a lot form them.

I am a Middle of the Road FS9 person and I do have one problem in which I am in need of help.
First of all I am running a Systemax Computer with an AMD 64 3200 CPU, 1G DDR 333 Ram, 200GB ultra ATA Hard Drive w/ 8MB cache, ATI Radeon 9200SE 8X 128MB(with the latest drivers recently installed), Logitech Extreme 3D joystick.

My problem started upon downloading SP2 from Microsoft. Prior to that, FS( worked fine with everything maxed out, max scenery AI traffic, the whole 9 yards.
Since SP2 is now on my machine, the only way I can get into FS9 is by Restoring it to Default. The original start FS9.exe no longer works.
I have uninstalled and reinstalled FS9 to no avail. When I load with "restore Defaults",I reset everything to its maxium capability and it works great until I shut it down and restart it the next time. The flight I attempt to save as the default flight is save but with all other settings returned to their defaults.
I have just ecently installed the patch to FS9. No problems with its display of the bridges but the loading process is still a puzzle.
I would deeply appreciate any help.
Thanks
Rectifier

[Jared]

Have you tried backing up and removing the Fs9.cfg file?

I've heard that once it is moved out of the folder where it belongs and you restart the sim it will automatically regenerate a new one...

this may rid your cfg file of any remnants prior to the patch update...

other than that I'm not sure..  ???

[Rectifier]

Yes. I have also tried that. I have searched the forum for two weeks and have attempted everything that pertained to my problem. All with no luck.
Hopefully I am not the only one with this situation?
Thanks

[krazyj]

hey guys

had some of the same problems couldnt run my FS at all after SP2 so I looked too and I didnt really come up with anything

what I did I'm sad so say is reinstalled windows then SP2 then FS9 and so on

hope it helps

[Rectifier]

I cannot install without reformatting and I defintely do not want to do that. I only have a restore disk  with this computer . No cd with just XP. (Did I miss  something?)
I just attempted  by uninstalling from C drive and reinstalling FS9 on my F drive only to find out I have the same problem.
I did notice that the shortcuts on my desktop were pointing to FS9 backups after SP2 got installed. I set them to the correct path and still only get the DC3 screen which says the the requested file is corrupt or deleted,with the only option thereafter is abort.
When I do start FS9 with the Restore Default  settings I still gear everything to Maximum settings and it runs alright.
I was hoping that someone out there would come up with a patch not only for No CD but that would allow a bypass for the normal startup sequence.
I will be patiently awaiting further word..
Thanks all.

[Politically Incorrect]

Is FS9 the only program your having difficulties with?

I know when SP2 first came out there were multiple problems, and it turns out most had to do with spyware that was already on your machine before the SP2 update install, which is why many found it easier to install SP2 after a reformat.

Did this problem start after the SP2 install or after the FS9 Patch install?

Reason I ask is becasue I have noticed numerous problems people have had using the NoCd patch(old) and the FS9 patch.

[Gixer]

To be honest I wouldn't bother with SP2.  All it is is a hyped up firewall and security centre which most people turn off and de-activate the security centre anyway.

For FS9 you would be better off just installing XP SP1 and all of the hotfixes.  SP2 is over-rated and not really needed.

On another note (Though you are probably aware) you have 33mhz ram in your system? that cpu's fsb is 400 so you would get much much much better performance if you had PC3200 (400mhz) ram in there.  At present your system will be running outta sync which AMD's dont like doing much at all.

[Politically Incorrect]

I beg too differ with you Gixer, SP2 was and is a major improvement especially with people who have a lower end system.
90% of trouble people have after installing it is not installing per instructions, Read up on the MS site before you install and the biggest problem is the "spyware before install".  Some use only one spyware program but more times than none one won't cut it, run two or three chances are good one program will find something the other didn't.
Also it is a BIG download, I know a few who downloaded via dial-up and ended up with a corrupt download which in turn causes big problems.
I have had more computer problems with the automatic updates and hotfixes than with SP2, as a matter of fact since SP2 was installed my system hasn't crashed once (knock on wood) performance increased in all areas and FS9 is better than ever although I'm uncertain what SP2 contained that helped it???

[Rectifier]

Thanks for the replies.
I normally check for spyware daily (or when I am finished using the computer daily). I am behind a router firewall also which I think is great. I use a pop up blocker.
SP2 started all of my problems  such as the CD burner program, and my 6 channel audio system, all of my quickstart icons had the paths changed. The first time I downloaded it , I restored back to the previous day and everything was normal again. I even turned off the automatic updater so as not to get it again . My grand daughter (has her own log on) used the computer one day , with limited priveliges , and when I got back on( I am the administrator) , SP2 was back again.
I never really had a problem with crashes as I go online for entertainment sparingly. Any simulation I use on this computer are purchased , no share ware yet. But having broadband ,I guess sort of complicated that .
I have since corrected all of the problems caused by Sp2 except the FS9. Most corrected themselves after reinstalling. They were not even Microsoft programs as with FS9. The other problem created with SP2 is my printer sharing. Now this is the amazing thing. My wife has a 1.4Ghz  System with XP home and she plays games online which I will not allow on my computer such as bingo,Pinochle,spades and who knows what else. Tons of shareware on her system. No problem with SP2. The printer is primarily connected to here computer and prior to SP2 we shared it through the router.

Reference my FSb and the speed of my RAM , it sounds as though your theory is correct. I made a slight typo and just went back to look it up. My DDR is 333Mhz PC2700 Non-ECC memory at 2x512.(Thanks for noticing the error). The system is only 6 months old.(I am curious to know what you have done with your system?)
I had planned to separeate my hard drive so as to install the 64 bit system on it but with the problems encounterd with SP2, I have postponed it untils I can either get it cured or roll back my system to SP1 permanently. Just not sure how the future updates will affect that decision.

Thanks guys. I appreciate any all comments and/suggestions. One just may be the lucky one.!

[Rectifier]

Hey guys
Just want to bring you up to date.
I just finished uninstalling SP2. During the uninstallation process a menu popped up stating that certain programs noted on my computer may no longer function correctly.( Same ones that stopped  normal operation when SP2 came on board).
I completed the uninstallations and so far, low and behold, FS9 now operates again. Printer and folder sharing now operates again and I will have to keep you posted on the other programs as I have to leave now and won't be back for a few hours.
Now I can get to some of the neat stuff you guys have to offer such as Aircraft addons and probably join you guys in online flights..

thanks

[Rectifier]

Hello all
Thanks again for the help responses.
Just a short note to bring you up to date as I hope to become a valued poster into one of the other subject areas after this one.
After brushing up on Microsoft, I learned that I can still keep the necessary updates alive by un installing SP2. New updates not requirig SP2 can still be downloaded.
After uninstalling SP2 all of my old programs , including FS9, of course, began running as they did before. No problems noted. CD burner programs and the printer/folder sharing program is now back into operation normally.
Hopefully this may help someone out there.