How to reinstall fs2002 including all add on downloads?

[rpowers 5]

I am getting a new computer.After installing fs2002 how do I transfer all the add-ons etc so that I have exactly what I have now?I am having a computer shop transfer all my files but they tell me I have to reinstall all my programs.Can I just copy and overwrite all my FS folders?Will that transfer my keyboard assignments and preferences?Is there a tutorial anywhere explaing this?Thanks for the help.Ron

[gosta 0]

Hi Ron,if you just want to save your settings, they're contained in the 'FS2002.cfg' in your FS root folder. Just make a copy of it, and put it back after the reinstall.If you want to save all your add-ons as well, just copy your entire FS folder, put it back on your new computer and away you go. However, to prevent trouble with installing future add-ons, I would also save the FS registry entry - using 'regedit', you can find it at 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMicrosoft GamesFlight Simulator8.0'. Just export the entry, save it, transfer it to your new computer, double-click on it and it's back (Remember to change the Exe Path if you install it to a different location on your new machine).Hope this helps,Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

[rpowers 5]

Thanks for the reply.Let me make sure I understand this correctly for the add ons.I install FS and then copy my entire old fs folder into program files overwriting anything that I just installed?Thanks,Ron Program filesmicrosoft games fs 2002 .Copy old fs 2002 to microsoft games?Thanks,Ron

[gosta 0]

H Ron, yes, you can do it that way, in which case you can skip saving the registry entry. If you're doing it my way (with saving the registry entry), you don't need to reinstall FS, just copy over your old folder. However, those add-ons that require activation, such as Captain Sim, will not work, so you'll have to uninstall them first, before saving your FS folder. Then you'll have to request a new activation code and reinstall the add-on.Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

[crvm 0]

As someone who has done this MANY times let me save you some headache. A lot of ADD-ONS will not work if you just save the folder and drop it back in the correct FS folders. And even if you do get them to work, you will have some problems. The best way to do it it to un-install all add-ons from the ADD/REMOVE in control panel FIRST before removing FS2002 infact. Then remove FS2002, then go and manually remove the folder and contents that the uninstall did not remove {there will be many folders and files left}. I know it's a pain but in the end it will be right.Best Wishes, Randy J. Smith [h3]" A little learning is a dangerous thing"[/h3]AMD XP 2100 |MUNCHKIN 512 DDR RAM |ECS[/b ][i] K7S5A MB[/i] |GF3 64 MEG |WIN XP PRO |MITSUBISHI DIAMOND PLUS 91 19"

[gosta 0]

That's correct - the only way it will work is to copy over the FS folder in its entirety, copying over add-on folders selectively will not work.Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

[rpowers 5]

I will be installing FS on a totally new computer and HD.I have a lot of planes panels, scenery etc,plus I have made changes in fs config etc.I have RC3 but I have the CD.Also fs navigator.Also 2 planes from FSD and a lot from project AI.So will my original idea work IE install fs then copy the entire folder overwriting any files?Or is there no easy way to do this?Thanks for your help and patience.I would not even be doing this but my business needs another computer and this is a good time to put mine to work and upgrade.I have my priorities and fs is it!Also,is an ATI 64 MB video card a decent card for FS/I have a VooDoo 3 now.What would you guys recommend?FS is the only game I am interested in.I know it's not a game,but you know what I mean.Ron

[rpowers 5]

In addition to above info I am going from Win me to win XP pro.Hope you guys can help me pass on some good info to the guy building this computer.It won't be top of the line,but a big improvement to what I am running.New one will be P4 2.4ghz,512 ram etc.I am only concerned about video card and want the best one compatible with what he is building.Any suggestions will be really appreciated.Thanks,Ron

[gosta 0]

Hi Ron,yes, copying over the entire FS folder will work. What Randy was referring to was trying to save individual add-ons before uninstalling FS and reinstalling it. There would only be a need to do this if your main FS install has become corrupted, and you want to start afresh. But in your case, FS is running fine, so there is no need to uninstall it. If you're not comfortable working with the registry, just do it the way you proposed, i.e. reinstall FS, then copy over the old FS2002 folder, overwriting everything.As far as graphics cards are concerned, you could start a whole new thread on it, which would most likely generate lots of responses. But here is my opinion - First, there is the never-ending discussion as to which is better, nVidia or ATI. I think it comes down to personal preference, i.e. what do you want the card for, how much do you want to spend etc... Until a few months ago, I had a 64MB ATI Radeon 7200, which ran FS ok. But as you're buying a new computer, you may want to look ahead - FS2004 is just around the corner and it will make full use of DX9, so it may be worth considering a card that's fully DX9 compatible. At the moment, those would be the ATI Radeon 9000 series, and the nVidia GeForce FX. Unless you're willing to spend $400+ on a graphics card, you can forget the latter. So I would look at the budget cards in the ATI 9000 series, and also consider spending a bit more on a 128MB card. Also, I would give serious thought to putting together your own system from scratch - there are a lot of independent computer shops who will let you choose all the parts and assemble it for you for as little as $40 - it will be a considerable saving over a store-bought computer with the same specs. Two weeks ago, my father-in-law asked me to put together a computer for him, and for $2000 Canadian (around $1400 US, including tax), he got a state-of-the-art machine, including a 19 inch monitor, fancy keyboard and mouse (his choices, not mine...) Feel free to contact me by e-mail, if you'd like some further suggestions.Cheers,Gosta. http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

[rpowers 5]

Gosta,Thanks very much for the helpful info.I am pretty much putting it together from scratch with a local custom computer shop.The guy is very receptive to info I get from you guys on the forum and his prices are very competetive,plus he is servicing and setting up my business network.I am going to do as you suggest and copy the entire folder over.I just have added so many things that I probably could not remember how to recreate it if I started over.The only concern I have is in the FSconfig file it shows my VooDoo 4500 card.I suppose I can just delete that before I copy the entire folder.Do I need to uninstall then reinstall fs navigator and my 2 fsd planes and rc3 since they require keys?Thanks again for the help.Ron What's your email?

[rpowers 5]

Gosta,I don't understand what you are telling me about saving and exporting the FS registry entry.Could you please be more specific on where I find it and what I do with it? Are you saying that I don't have to install FS,I can just copy my old fs to program filesmicrosoft games on my new computer and by doing what you are telling me with the registry I will be all set?Even though I am using win me on old computer and win xp pro on new one?Hopefully my computer guy will know what you are talking about.Thanks,Ron

[gosta 0]

Hi Ron,yes, if you're saving the reistry entry, you won't have to reinstall FS, just copy it over as you said.To save the reistry entry, open Registry Editor (in WinXP, open the Start menu, click on 'Run', then type 'regedit'). Then go to 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMicrosoft GamesFlight Simulator8.0', click on 'File', then 'Export' and save the entry to a location of your choice and name it something like 'FS2002.reg'. Then transfer it to your new computer, and after you copied over your FS folder, just double-click on the 'FS2002.reg' file, and your registry entry will be back. That's all - no need to reinstall FS from the disc.Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

[gosta 0]

Hi Ron,it seems like you have chosen the right kind of computer shop - the one we bought our stuff from specialises in setting up networks etc. for local businesses... The graphics card entry of the FS2002.cfg will be rewritten once you start FS on your new machine. In fact, you could start FS without a cfg, but then you'd lose all your settings.As to your add-ons, you said you had the RC CD? In that case, it may be a good idea to uninstall that one first, before saving the FS folder (at least it will reduce the size of the FS folder you're transferring, if nothing else). Just leave FSNav and the FSD planes where they are - they should work fine. My e-mail is gosta@shaw.caCheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg