OK, long story short:System: 1998 Dell Dimension XPS T500, upgraded to Tualatin 1.2. (Celeron-esque I guess); Video: Diamond Viper 770 32 Ultra; 384 Ram; Win 98SE.I bought FS2k4 'cause it was $10 after rebate ;)Had CTD with time change and frozen gauges, and someone recommending checking DirectX to see if I was current. I was at 9a and updated to 9b....WHAM!On Top, IP Trainer, and FlitePro no longer work! Yikes!I found out my Viper doesn't play with DX9.x.My options are many, I know. But - can I downgrade to an older version of DirectX? (I doubt it)Is anyone else running those other programs?I thought about upgrading to a (cheap) but better video card, but I'm wondering if those old programs are just not compatible with newer DirectX.I guess my last question would be - how can I restore my system to its default, Dell-ordered configuration as far as Win98SE goes? I'd rather not do that because I'd have to reinstall a bunch of VPN and connectivity software my wife sometimes needs to work from home.Any help appreciated!(I'd like to build or buy a low-cost [sub-700] system but I've been out of the PC hardware loop for a long time!]Thank you,Andrew

Several things. DirectX files are backward compatible with older cards that only run DirectX 5,6,7,8. Secondly, my daughters computer has the Diamond Viper 770 which only has 16MB of memory and DirectX9.0b works file.I don't know what drivers you are using but the Diamond Viper 770 uses NVIDIA RIVA TNT2/TNT2 Pro chips and can use the drivers from NVIDIA. I would download some of the early drivers (40.72 for Win98SE) http://www.nvidia.com/object/win9x_61.76 , see http://www.nvidia.com/object/win9x_archive.html for earlier drivers, .Since you are using Win98, you need to place your video adapter in Standard VGA mode prior to uninstalling your present drivers and before you install the new drivers.Lastly, what motherboard controller chip drivers do you have installed, i.e., Intel, VIA, SiS, AMD, ALi, NForce? You may want to reinstall the MOBO controller chip drivers with updated drivers.If your directx9.0b installation is corrupted you may want to download the entire redistribution package and install directx9.0b from that package - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...&DisplayLang=en . It is a very large package so if you have dialup try http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...&DisplayLang=en for running the installation program for directx9.0b.W. Sieffert

Thanks, I'll try those things - I found the problem to be that the Viper 770 cannot handle 9.0b, at least in my case, and when I reinstalled and tried to run FS2002, I got a message saying that hardware acceleration on my video card was not available.Then, I crashed to desktop...I don't know how to determine what motherboard controllers I have, either. Any tips?Thanks again,Andrew

Find drivers for your card and they "should" work

Here are the latest I could find:http://www.video-drivers.com/drivers/42/42280.htmAlso, if you had DirectX 9.0a installed before installing FS9, then something else is wrong. FS9 comes with 9.0a. Can't see how installing 9.0b would muck things up (though anything is possible).You can also go here to download a couple of DirectX removers: http://download.guru3d.com/pafiledb.php?action=category&id=8I've never used those types of tools before, so I can't tell you how good they'll work. If they will nuke DirectX for you, keep in mind that FS9 needs 9.0 only for multiplayer... all the graphics in the sim are DirectX 8.0 based.Good luck,Greg

Well, I finally got 9.0b installed successfully; before, when I went to the Nvidia utility, it only showed 9.0a even after installing 9.0b.I followed your advice in updating my Nvidia drivers, and crashed!Crash-o-rama!But after restarting, the Nvidia utility was updated to 9.0b! Yes.So I fired up 2002, and it didn't quite work right - when I went into the display section, it was -way- too big, not recognizing my screen setting as 800 x 600...I backed out, restarted without incident, and restarted 2002...And I may be imagining things, but on a whim I selected the highest default scenery setting (not individually, just the main selection) and .. well, like I said, I may be imagining things, but my poor old PIII 1.2 with its creaky Diamond Viper 770 seems to be running 2002 better and more smoothly than it ever has. Hm.I'm probably wrong. It couldn't actually be running noticeably smoother, with higher detail.. could it? No way. But the fact that it's running was enough for me to uninstall it ;) to try again with 2004. At worst, it won't work, and 2002 -will-.I'll update as I find out.CheersAndrew

SWEET!That did it. 2004 working great. Surprisingly smooth on my old clunker. I'll still probably upgrade my video card.Atmospheric effects are quite excellent. You already knew that, huh?And, in fact, I really kind of like some of the old aircraft. Just wish there was a space shuttle ;)Thanks for your help!

Just downloaded 35MB directx 9.0c. Works on all my computers, clunkers and speeders!!W. Sieffert

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...;)Must be very new. I'll go find it - thanks!Andrew>Just downloaded 35MB directx 9.0c. Works on all my>computers, clunkers and speeders!!>>W. Sieffert