Hi guys i have finally decided to switch to FS9 but frame rates are terrible i'm scared of running it. Quick question how do i compress the FS9 folder to improve framerates i have right clicked -> Properties but nothing has anything to do with compressing. Hopefully after x-mas a Alienware computer will fix this problem :(ThanksG-MIDYCompaq Presario 51001.3GHZ AMD Athlon40GB HD256MB RAMGeForce 2 MMX400Windows XP

Hey there,I have done this myself, and noticed a good increase in performance, with the basic system properties you have.You can do this if you are running Windows XP, and the partition you have FS2004 is formatted with the NTFS file system.It's matter of right-clicking on the folder, going to 'Properties', then selecting 'Advanced', then select 'Compress contents to save disk space'. And it will do its thing.If you need any other info let me know.EDIT - OOPS!! I did not pay attention to your memory nor your card. John, below, has the right idea. Take a look at what he says before doing this.

Before you even start with compressing folders, you need to take a realistic approach with your system. Your memory is way too low for consistent fps with FS9.... I slide by with 384 megs of RAM, but I have 98SE. Having XP, you'd need 512megs minimum. The Geforce 2 MX isn't going to help much either. Compressing folders may help with disk I/O, but it won't help until you adjust COF vs. what your system can handle.My suggestion:Post your settings in these areas:AIMeshScenery DensityCloudsAutogenAAScreen ResFrom those we'll be able to tell whether you're getting the most from your system. Your system may have run FS2002 very well--I'm almost certain it did. But two key points with COF--it requires more memory, and slider settings matched against FS2002's cause it to work harder, because it displays more (which I happen to like).I call the folder compression tweak an advanced tweak...first you need to get your system to a point where you'd gain...Hope this helps...Here are my settings per the items given above, and fps results:AI - 50 pct/IFR onlyMesh - 50Scenery Density - MaxedClouds - Maxed, but draw distance is 30.Autogen - Maxed, but default.xml is renamed to default.bak (rids the autogen of fast food restaurants, schools, etc....)AA - EnabledScreen Res: 800x600x32FPS is around 12 at LAX with those settings, and around 20 at Portland with those settings, assuming a low deck of cumulus and a high deck of cirrus. If I turn off AI, I gain about 5 fps. If I turn off Autogen, another 5 fps. After that, I don't really care or need the extra performance... Regards,

Agreed. I think even if you did every trick and tweak in the book you're not going to be able to run the sliders much off minimum settings with computer spec like that unfortunately. I have an Athlon 2000+, 512mb PC2100 DDR RAM and Geforce 4 Ti4200 128mb and think that's about the minimum spec machine that will run FS9 somewhat comfortably. I even get some decent slowdown in complex airports and I have many of my sliders set half way.BTW, I did the FS9 folder compression and can't say that I noticed any framerate increase...though I never really got stutters or anything like that before or after I did this.

I'm suspecting this is a HD space based. I have a laptop with these specs2.4GHZ Intel 4Radeon 9000 mobility564MB RAM38GB HDI get absoluetely fluid FPS well over 20's constantly and my laptop has FS COF and FS2002 installed nothing else. Thanks for the infoRegardsG-MIDY

I know you didn't ask, but I highly recommend that you NOT order from Alienware. Their systems are WAY overpriced and you can't choose the best components.I recently purchased a new computer. I wanted the best parts I could buy, from the motherboard right down to the memory. I found that Oxford PC (www.oxfordpc.com) was a great deal, and the service was the best I've ever gotten. . . period. I got a system that blows away any Alienware system, and it costs me several hundred dollars less than an Alienware.FYI, I paid slightly over $2500 for my system. If you do a quick search on the components I listed, you'll see that you can't touch that kind of performance with Alienware at any price.Jim

Thanks JC i'll look into it.RegardsG-MIDYhttp://www.airliners.net/open.file/265713/L/