Problems after fragmentation of my Hard-drive

[Guest Flightfreak]

Hi all,Today I removed all files of my hard drive, and I reinstalled Windows XP. I've installed all of my old programs including FS2004 and PMDG, I've also set my FS2004 settings the same as before the fragmentation.But here comes the problem, my PMDG 737-600/700/800/900 version is causing all of the troubles. Everything starts to move slow and my PC crashes everytime I want to switch to Spot-plane view, also the menus and stuff are very, very slow. Before the defragmentation, I didn't have any of this problems.These are my specifications;AMD Athlon 2400 (2.00 Ghz)256 mb Graphics card512 mb RAM-memory52x speed CD-ROM driveWho knows the solution to this problem?Michael Henke

[Guest ThrottleUp]

Did you do a *clean* installation of Windows XP or did you just reinstall it over the current Windows XP that was already on your hard drive?When reinstalling an OS it is best (in my opinion) to completely wipe the drive (format it) to factory-condition and then do a clean Windows install. You can do this using the system restore CDs that came with your PC or using Windows commands.As always make sure you have backed up important stuff :)

[Guest Flightfreak]

I didn't overwrite my old Windows version, and I completely wiped the drive (twice!) but it just doens't work. As I said, all the settings are excactly the same.

[Guest rds_mcleod]

>Windows XP. I've installed all of my old programs including>FS2004 and PMDG, I've also set my FS2004 settings the same as>before the fragmentation.Michael:Your first response (above) is correct; a re-install should involve a re-format. In regard to FS installs, yup, you've got to dig out the disks and do that, but leave your installs in place - they should all be in place. The one BIG caveat (only if you have purchased Flight-1 Software addons, is that their install routine usually dumps files into c:Flight One Software, and that requires special attention since you're going to format over it! You will need your Key and folder structure for that if you use their products. (Check their site)Next: drivers! Re-install all the usuals like: SPs, video drivers, your DirectX, etc, and then go back into FSX and do the hardware & software setups, like Joystick, Pedals stuff. Then use a good registery cleaner, followed by a good defragger and you should be OK. This method is a pain, but it has worked for me for a lot of years and it's been effective on my systems.

[Guest ThrottleUp]

<<< As I said, all the settings are excactly the same.>>>Ahh ok...missed that!I think if you have all your important files backed up to CDs or DVDs then its worth doing a clean install - *unless* its *only* PMDG thats causing problems....how does the computer behave otherwise? Do other programs run normally?If they do then I'll hand over to the PMDG experts on this forum :)But if Windows is unstable & acting iffy and if nothing u do is sorting it out then a clean install might fix things!

[Guest Flightfreak]

The other programs on my computer work just fine, it's only the PMDG aircraft that kicks the framerates to a minimum.

[Guest Flightfreak]

>>Windows XP. I've installed all of my old programs including>>FS2004 and PMDG, I've also set my FS2004 settings the same>as>>before the fragmentation.>>Michael:>>Your first response (above) is correct; a re-install should>involve a re-format. In regard to FS installs, yup, you've>got to dig out the disks and do that, but leave your installs>in place - they should all be in place. The one BIG caveat>(only if you have purchased Flight-1 Software addons, is that>their install routine usually dumps files into c:Flight One>Software, and that requires special attention since you're>going to format over it! You will need your Key and folder>structure for that if you use their products. (Check their>site)I did everything you said, I installed all the drivers, and I still encounter the same problems. I'm getting very sad by these problems. I was really looking forward to flying the PMDG...I hope the PMDG specialists can solve my problems....Michael Henke

[Guest rds_mcleod]

>I did everything you said, I installed all the drivers, and I>still encounter the same problems. I'm getting very sad by>these problems. I was really looking forward to flying the>PMDG...Michael HenkeHave you tried RE-installing PMDG software? Have you done a search on this site for re-installing PMDG NG 737? There must be support for this from the PMDG support site.Ron

[Guest Flightfreak]

I've also tried to re-install the PMDG software, and I did that. But I keep encountering the same problems. I hope one of the PMDG developers knows the answer. Thanks you all for all your attention, if you have a idea, don't hesitate to tell me. :) Michael Henke

[Mats_J 2]

Mikael,I'm sorry but I think this has to do with something else than the PMDG software though it only affects this software. During the time I've been beta testing and flying the NG I have reformatted and reinstalled my Windows XP Pro system twice plus FS9 plus all add-ons and I have not seen the problem you are describing. Have you done all the weaking that is necessary for FS to run smoothly? Do you have your computer setup for performance in Windows XP? THere are so many parameters set on your system to be able to smoothly run an advanced and resource intensive add-on like this it's almost impossible to mention all of them.I don't say you did, but never just copy FS9 folders and/or add-on folders around or any program folder for that matter. Reinstall them as a lot of the software is using registry entries which will be screwed up if you copy things around.Read the tweaking guides in the general forum and try to remember what setting you had before the reformat. Both for FS9 and for your video drivers as your O/S.Sorry I can't be of more help,

[Guest Flightfreak]

Hi all,My problems are solved by the time you guys read this. I just re-installed an older driver program for my Graphics-card, and now everything works perfectly normal. Thank's for all of your help!Michael Henke:-)

[Guest rds_mcleod]

>My problems are solved by the time you guys read this. I just>re-installed an older driver program for my Graphics-card, and>now everything works perfectly normal. Thank's for all of your>help!Michael:Well, there's probably one of the most common instances of graphics hicups! Upgrade your drivers believing they're going to work just fine and then find out they don't. We all missed that one!Ain't 'putin fun?Ron - CYEG