Help a New Guy Out...

[Eagle82]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to flight sim.  I just recently purchased FSX Deluxe and Acceleration.  Before I install them, I noticed a number of different updates as listed in the FAQ section and Phil Taylor's blog.  Is there any previous posts that I'm not aware of yet that may have a list of everything a new user should download to make FSX as up-to-date as possible.  Are there Vista updates I should download for FSX?  Also is there any particular order I should download the updates?

So far I figure I download FSX Deluxe, then download Acceleration.  Do I then download SP1 and then SDK SP1A?  Then what?  Oh boy... I'm lost.

My system is as follows:

Intel Core 2 Quad Overclocked to 3.2GHz
4GB DDRII Ram
500GB Memory
nVidia eVGA 8800 Ultra KO 768 MB
Vista Home Basic 64 bit

Thanks.

[Fly2e]

Welcome Eagle.

[quote]Before I install them, I noticed a number of different updates as listed in the FAQ section and Phil Taylor's blog.

[Felix/FFDS]

Eagle - you do not download FS-X.  You install it from the DVD.  If you bought JUST FS-X Acceleration, you still need to purchase and install FS-X (preferably the Deluxe Edition).

FS-X ACceleration is not a standalone product.

Install FS-X first, then FS-X Acceleration, and your overall installation will be "updated" with no need to download and install FS-X Service PAck 2

[reider]

OK, here we go, 10 steps to heaven.....

(1) Install FSX Deluxe, start FSX and an aircraft/airport scenario, then exit (to get the fsx.cfg generated)
(2) Install Accelerator (see 3)
(3) Accelerator includes SP1 and SP2 auto installed, start FSX and an aircraft/airport scenario, then exit

(4) If you intend loading the SDK then proceed from 6 (skip 5)
(5) Defrag, if you have the facility do a space, then a name defrag

(6) Install the SDK from Disk 1 of SFX Deluxe
(7) Download or install SP1a from the Accelerator disk
(8) Install the SDK from the Acceleration disk, this can only be done after the SDK and the SP1a.  It only says SDK but when it starts to install you can see its the Acceleration version of the SDK
(9) Defrag, if you have the facility do a space, then a name defrag
(10) Their is no (10)

The SDK is for adding other tools.  As is the Acceleration SDK.  However, we lost some file menu options with the onset of SP1 of FSX.  The Acceleration SDK and SP2 fix these problems.

Numbers (5) or (9) should be done regularly, you owe it to you and your system to do this.  Once a fortnight or just a little longer is ok.  Some will tell you it doesn`t matter, I have used mine a long time and it really does matter!

I think thats about it, hope this helps and clarifies the matter,

Reider

[Eagle82]

Thank you Reider.  I think I get it.  Just a couple questions...

1.  When I defrag, would you recommend I use Norton, the Windows program, or Live One?

2.  Are there any Vista updates or DX10 updates I should install that you are aware of besides  those on Windows Update?

[reider]

Its entirely up to you.... here are my thoughts tho....

(1) Windows defrag if you have to
(2) Norton I moved away from a long time ago, the newer the progs the more problems
(3) Live One, does many jobs but doesn`t mean it does them all well
(4) O&O Defrag, got to version 10 and left gaps, making you defrag more often (see comments from Nick N)
(5) Ultimate Defrag, can cause more problems than it solves (again see comments Nick N in the forum)

I just use Ultimate with great care, no fancy options.  First a space defrag and then reboot and a name defrag, then only name defrags from then on, don`t go back to space......

I don`t use DX10 but I`d say, reading the posts of Nick N, keep on top of the driver situation and be aware a lot of fixes will come from them in the future.  I`m getting excellent results in DX9 so I`ll stay there for now.

Reider