Im re-installing, whats the best way

[cavity]

After many hours of trying to fix my crippled FS, I have reluctantly decided to re-install.  For those of you that have already done so, could you please offer any tips or help that will make it as pain free as possible.  My major concerns:
1) What to do with 50 Project AI packages installed.
2) What to do with 100 Afcads installed.
3) What to do with 150 downloaded aircraft, panels etc
4) The best way to re-install, update to the new version, and then add the nocd file.(what order?)

I want to completely clean the whole drive of every last FS file.  I can only hope that a re-install will cure my crashes and allow me to update.  Thanks in advance for any tips.  Todd

[Foxtrot Sport]

Ask about you're problems with crashes, some might know.  That is, if you haven't already.

-HF

[JBaymore]

[quote]For those of you that have already done so, could you please offer any tips or help that will make it as pain free as possible.

[Katahu]

I think it was Tylenol. Not sure exactly.

What about Golytely?

No, wait. That's liquid plumbing.

[AuMaV]

Buy a fishing rod,switch off the PC and go fishing.dont look back forget fs9 you will have more hair and smell better:D
Wozza

[Mr_Spock]

if you had Date file copyed the flight sim folder to a few dvd's you could of installed and then copy and pasted the freash copys over the new install.

I supose that your just going to have to do it from scratch, and then when you have the most loved things installed, only then copy the fs9 folder and dont forget to put a copy of the FS9 config and the folder from the docs and files folder in and easy to find new folder on one of the back up cd's.

soon as you install fs9 then crack it, then install AI aircraft, airport afcad, mesh, favorite birds, airport upgrades. make Back up CD's.  ;D

[cavity]

Thank you for all of the humor, it takes the edge off of a frustrating problem.  I contemplated hanging it up until the next version, but the stupid side of me won out and said to give it a shot.  The biggest problem is not knowing what caused the problem in the first place.  If I go through all of this and it crashes, you might see a computer dropping from the atmosphere into your yard.  At least youll know who delivered it!  Hopefully something may survive for the lucky person who finds it.  I think I will start the process sometime today, Ill keep you posted.  Todd

[RollerBall]

Todd, there's always someone worse off.

I innocently tried to upgrade my graphics card and now have no FS at all - and I think what looks like a damaged mobo as I'm getting total system hangs on entering 3D even with a fresh install on a brand new hard drive.

So not only will I have to do a full install of XP (and I have at least 130 GB of programs, data, business stuff, personal stuff as well as FS), I'll then also have to do a full install of FS2004.

And I can't do a thing as I've just RMAd my second new graphics card - having paid the supplier a month ago.

And of course, I'll have to decide whether I put in a new mobo first in case it is knackered and messes up whatever graphics card I end up with.

You think you have problems ...... feel like going for a beer or 20?  ;)

[cavity]

Yeah, that is far worse than what I am experiencing.  I havent done a major upgrade in about 2 years so that has saved some headaches.  I havent had a system crash either, other than when I am using FS, so also lucky there.  Good luck with putting things back together, helps me to appreciate my lack of problems alot more.  Todd

[wilderobb]

When I reinstalled, some of my files I saved on disk didnt transfer very well. I beleve it was a THUMBS file attached to some of my files were corrupt. I still don't know what a thumbs file is or what it does but I had to start all over again. Ie. resetting everthing with the sim (Settings) and all my customized aircraft will have to be redone. BUMMER. The problem seemed to be in the panels of my planes so I could use all my old aircraft ,but not my customized panels Months of learning and work lost.) Oh well, Now I know how to do it so it has'nt been too bad but it did take about a month for everthing to start smoothing out. I hope that dosent happen when I put in a new graphics card.  GOOD LUCK!

[Hagar]

When I reinstalled, some of my files I saved on disk didnt transfer very well. I beleve it was a THUMBS file attached to some of my files were corrupt. I still don't know what a thumbs file is or what it does but I had to start all over again.

I suspect you mean Thumbs.db. Depending on your Folder Options/View settings these little files are created when you zip up any folder containing images, for example Panel & Texture folders. They are often included in zipfiles but have nothing to do with FS & should be quite harmless. They can be left where they are or safely deleted. Simply do a search for Thumbs.db & delete the lot.