Thanks Elrond.Some good info here. Interesting about FS2k4 too, in that any DX8 compliant card will work to provide full features.This thread started on loading DX9 then noting reduced frame-rates. Elrond- how do you measure frame rates for benchmarking? I just have a few pre-saved flights that I compare.Bruce.

FYI: I've had a few issues with DirectX and every single time problems were cured by reinstalling DirectX of the same new version. In fact, sometimes when you do audio or video driver updates the same thing occurs--you need to reinstall DirectX and reboot a time or two. This has cured all DirectX problems for me. Noel

Wow, you really had to dig down deep to bring up a 3-month old thread.

This is a very interesting thread. Each person seems to have a unique situation with their set-up, making things complicated in a hurry.I have a WinXP PRO operating system on a Dell XPS 8200, 2.4GHz machine, still using the original version of DirectX, 8.0 I believe. I recently installed a GeForce Nvidia 5900FX (top of the line) video card with the 44.03 drivers. This required an update to the Dell power supply. I also slammed in some more RAM to get 1024MB of that. I haven't installed DirectX 9.0 yet because I've read too many threads about problems (stuttering, won't work with Squawkbox version for FS2002, crashing to desktop...etc...). Problem is I will need to install it for FS2004 to operate, like all, and I am probably sub-optimizing the performance of my 9.0 compliant new $450 video card by not upgrading. So sooner or later I'll have to take the plunge. Interesting note about needed the Windows updates to sort out problems. I tried to install WINXP SP1 and it created all kinds of problems on my machine. I ended up having to do a system restore while having the Dell Tech walk me through it over the phone over a half-day period. The tech told me that you should only install service packs if you are having problems with your machine, others have told me that is bad advice and not Dell's official line. Before I mess with any SP upgrades or the DirectX upgrade, how do I set a system restore point ahead of time? Last time, I was able to just use the calendar and pick a day before the disruptive SP installation. There is so much urban legend on all this stuff, I've lost the thread on what is a problem and what isn't. Like most, I usually have zero problems with my Dell until I upgrade or update something, then the old "if ain't broke" lexicon kicks in...regards,

"Before I mess with any SP upgrades or the DirectX upgrade, how do I set a system restore point ahead of time?"Hi Chris !If you go to Start Menu, Help, and select System Restore, you'll see an option for creating a System Restore Point. My system is configured to create one automatically each day as well, but I have manually created them as well, and the facility has saved my bacon on more than one occasion !Interesting thread ! I'm happy running FS2002 on my system, but if I upgrade to FS2004 it looks like I'll have to install WinXP SP1 and DX9, so could be in for some rocky times !Cheers,Alastair

In the FWIW department - FS2004 will install DX9a automatically - you have no option to not install it.vgb