I think this thread concerns the menu flicker; The 3.8 cats took care of the rest from what I understand.But not this:_______________________________________________________________I get four blinks between each menu screen. I can manipulate anything I want in each menu screen and have no problem. Just the four blinks between each screen selection. It's always consistent. Four blinks no more/no less taking up about four seconds of my time with each menu screen. That's annoying; but as I've said before; not a show stopper. _______________________________________________________________Alienware PIV2.53, ATI9700 Pro, 512mb PC1066 Ram

I get the screen flicker as described by Bill when going full screen.* CPU - P4 2.8* Motherboard - Asus P4C800-E* RAM - PC4000 2 x 512MB* ATI card model - 9800pro 128MB Hercules* Version of Windows - XP Pro SP1* Version of DirectX - 9.0a* type of monitor you are running (LCD, CRT) - CRT Mitsubishi 930SB* number of monitors you're running on your ATI card - 1* Anything else you feel is relevant - same with 3.7, 3.7, 3.8 although text smearing in HTML windows is now sorted.* Running at 1600x1200x32

I always start out in Full screen mode and never fly in windowed. I do have some flashing (2-3X) when selecting an aircraft and location in the "Create a flight" screen if I change from the default setup which I often do. I've gotten so used to it that I almost don't even notice it anymore. My biggest issue was the text-smearing and texture shimmering: the 3.8's seem to have resolved that for me at least.

Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. In order to keep the thread true to the orginal intent, how about if only those who do not have the menu flickering problem but are using ATI cards post their specs? I know the vast majority of us have the problem, but the only way we'll see a common thread is if those who don't suffer come forth and post their specs. Then we can try and draw some conclusions from that information. thanks,

I used to have the menu flickering and text corruption problem on 3.7's but installing 3.8's has fixed the problem:My specs are as follows:Intel P4 2.8 800FSBASUS P4C800 Deluxe (i875 chipset)2 x Mushkin 512m Level2 DDR400 (1Gb)Sapphire 256Mb 9800pro (running at 8x with fast writes)Sound Blaster Audigy DEAntec 430watt Power SupplyWindows XP Pro (Sp1)Directx 9b1 x Sony CRT 21inch running on 9800Pro card2 x Sony CRT 17" running on 2 Nividia MX cards (PCI)NO overclocking of CPU or any cardsI installed 3.8's over top of 3.7's(Running at 1600x1200x32 100Hz Vsynch Off)Everything is running very nicely.Hope this helps.

I should call it "black flashes" when loading the FS or opening menus. I have:AtlhonXP 2400+ASUS MB A7V3331gb RAM Crucial DDR333ATI Radeon 9800pro (built by ATI)WinXP Pro SP1, Catalyst 3.8The text distortion is fixed now, here is an answer about the black flashes when I reported to ATI support (pretty generic):Based on our experience, games issues are usually due to system configuration errors. We believe that you may find your issue addressed at our Games FAQ section on our web site located at: http://www.ati.com/support/faq/games.html If you have one of our Radeon products, then please visit:http://www.ati.com/support/products/pc/rad...deonissues.html If your issue is still unresolved, you should consider trying some of the most common troubleshooting steps listed below.You may also consider using the new SEARCH ATI function on our web site. It can be found at: http://www.ati.com/search/index.htmlRegards,Customer Service CanadaATI Technologies, Inc.http://www.ati.com===================================================================Prior to trying the suggestions listed below, ensure that the following are true:1. The most current display driver is installed for your ATI product, see the following link for updated drivers: http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html2. The most current version of DirectX is installed. DirectX can be found on the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com/directx/homeuser/...ads/default.asp.3. The most current patches and fixes are installed for the game. You will be able to locate any updates on the Game Manufacturers website.4. You may want to try downloading and installing GLSetup for more OpenGL support. GLSetup can be found at http://www.glsetup.com.5. The most current sound card drivers are installed.Once all the updates have been applied, try testing the game. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------RADEON 9700 PRO 128MB - Direct3D games experience hangs or display corruption.The system may lock up or display corruption in certain scenes when playing the following Direct3D games:- Battlefield 1942 - Mafia - The Thing To correct this issue, download and install CATALYST 02.4 or higher.( http://www.ati.com/support/driver.html )> Learn more --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Spider Solitaire hangs when game is won.To correct this issue, download and install CATALYST 02.3 or higher.( )> Learn more --------------------------------------------------------------------------------DirectX Applications are limited to 60 Hz in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.To work around this issue, Microsoft Knowledge Base Article Q284218 - Method 6 recommends overriding the refresh rate using the DirectX Diagnostics Utility (DXDIAG).NOTE: If you change the video refresh rate to a setting that is not supported by your monitor, you can damage your monitor. Check the documentation for your monitor or contact the manufacturer of your monitor to determine compatible refresh rates before you change the default refresh rate setting for your video adapter. To change the default refresh rate setting in Dxdiag, follow these steps: 1) Click Start, and then click Run.2) In the Open box, type dxdiag.exe, and then click OK.3) On the More Help tab, click Override.4) Click Override Value, type a refresh rate setting in the Override Value box that is supported by both your video adapter and your monitor, and then click OK. Try one value at a time. 5) Click Exit.NOTE: Typical values are 60, 62, 72, 75.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Spider-Man: The Movie - "You must have a TNL capable 3D card to play this game." message.This games requires a TNL capable 3D graphics card. All Radeon 7200 or higher graphic boards support TNL. All Rage 128 PRO and lower graphic boards do not support TNL.For more information please visit the following links: Activision Support - https://activision.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/act...nduser/home.php"You must have a TNL capable 3D card to play this game." Article 8293 - https://activision.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/act...hp?p_faqid=8293--------------------------------------------------------------------------------When I run the game, I get a black screen and the game fails or exits back to the desktop.Assuming that all the above updates have been applied, try the following.1. Try toggling the refresh rate, color depth and resolution to 800x600, 16bits at 60Hz. (Try other resolution, color depth and refresh rate combinations).2. Try temporarily disabling the sound card. (Or removing it from the system)3. Ensure that the Graphics Hardware Slider is set to FULL4. Try toggling DMA for the Hard Drive(s) and CD/DVD ROM Drive(s).--------------------------------------------------------------------------------You may experience problems attempting to run DirectX/Direct3D based applications/games if the monitor type is set to "default" or "unknown". To correct this issue, select a Windows provided monitor type which matches the monitor in use or check with the monitor manufacturer for an appropriate monitor INF file. > learn more http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3579.html--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lower Frame Rates running TRUFORM enhanced games on cards which do not support TRUFORM in hardware.If your graphics adapter does not support TRUFORM in hardware, and your game allows TRUFORM to be rendered in software, you may choose to disable TRUFORM. Please see the game's documentation for details on disabling TRUFORM support.For Half-Life: Counter-Strike, you may toggle Truform using the following methods:Open the console in the game (~) and type the following:ati_npatch 0 (turns Truform OFF)ati_npatch 1 (turns Truform ON)> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3945.html--------------------------------------------------------------------------------DX7_createzbuffer error running Need for Speed 5: Porsche UnleashedTo correct this issue, change the "Z-buffer bit depths" from "16; 24" to "16; 24; 32" in the ATI D3D tab in Display Properties..> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3677.html--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Quake III Arena - display is dark under Windows 2000To correct this issue, enable the brightness slider in Quake III Arena.> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3700.html--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Unable to run some OpenGL software under Windows 9x/ME in dual monitor configurations> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3235.html--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Intermittent hangs running 3D applications on some VIA KX/KT-133 based Athlon systems in Windows 2000This issue affects RADEON products in Windows 2000 on some Athlon systems using motherboards based on the VIA KX/KT-133 chipset.> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3719.html--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Multi-colored line appears down the right side of the screen in some programs when Anti-Aliasing is enabled.To correct this issue under Windows 98/ME, obtain and install RADEON Display Driver version 4.13.7075 or higher. ( http://www.ati.com/support/products/pc/rad...eondrivers.html )> learn more http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3696.html--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Menus appear in upper left corner of display when Anti-Aliasing enabledTo correct this issue under Windows 98/ME, obtain and install RADEON Display Driver version 4.13.7075 or higher.( http://www.ati.com/support/products/pc/rad...eondrivers.html )--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Error messages and/or display corruption running games after updating Display Drivers when using older versions of DirectXTo correct this issue, obtain and install the most current version of DirectX.Learn more about this at http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/3620.html--------------------------------------------------------------------------------System hangs, freezes, or reboots while running a 3D game: This issue may be related to the allocation of resources, particularly IRQs. You want to ensure that the ATI display adapter IS assigned and NOT sharing an IRQ. Use the following webpage to check for possible IRQ sharing or configuration issues.For Windows 98 and Windows ME users please see the following page:http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/howtowin98meirq.htmlFor Windows 2000 and Windows XP users please see the following page:http://www.ati.com/support/infobase/howtowin2kxpirq.html--------------------------------------------------------------------------------BIOS update/settings:You may consider using these settings in your BIOS to help troubleshoot your issue. If you are changing any of the options in your BIOS, please be sure to note what you are changing and what it was set to initially.NOTE: These options may vary depending on the type/version of your system. You may or may not have all these options. Please consider changing the settings that correspond to those listed below.- Video BIOS Shadow and Video BIOS Cacheable - DISABLED- C8000-CBFFFF Shadow and CC000-CFFFF - DISABLED- AGP Aperture size - 64 MB- AGP Turbo - DISABLED- VGA Frame Buffer and Primary Frame Buffer - DISABLED- PnP OS installed - YES- Assign IRQ for VGA - ENABLED- Resource Control - AUTO- AGP Bus Mastering - ENABLED- VGA Palette Snooping - DISABLED- Disable any UCSW or Write Combine options in the CMOS- Disable any manual configuration of PCI by setting these options to AUTO- System Bios Cacheable - DISABLED- Video BIOS Mode Cache - UC- Try lowering the AGP support (i.e. from AGP 8X/4X to AGP 2X). If this resolves the issue, you may consider contacting the motherboard/chipset vendor for more information regarding the GART support available on the motherboard/chipset.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------If your Graphic adapter is a Rage 128, check the ATI Direct 3D Tab In 'Advanced Display Properties' :Please disable 'Wait for vertical sync'and change the Z-Buffer Depth to 16-bit to increase game compatibility--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ensure that the Graphics Hardware Slider is not set to NONE.Windows 9X/ME1. Right-Click the DESKTOP and select PROPERTIES2. Select the SETTINGS TAB and then the ADVANCED BUTTON3. Select the PERFORMANCE TAB 4. Adjust the SLIDER as neededWindows 2000/XP1. Right-Click the DESKTOP and select PROPERTIES2. Select the SETTINGS TAB and then the ADVANCED BUTTON3. Select the TROUBLESHOOT TAB 4. Adjust the SLIDER as needed--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Check for DirectX Feature support:1. Select START and then RUN2. Type DXDIAG and then select the OK button3. Select the DISPLAY TAB4. DirectDraw and Direct3D should be enabled (AGP Texturing should be available if the display adapter is AGP)If any of the above components are listed as DISABLED please enable them and restart the system. If any of the above components are listed as NOT AVAILABLE reload DirectX, the ATI display drivers, and your AGP chipset drivers (if necessary)===================================================================

Awhile back I hit the Alt-Enter keys to entere the full screen mode and all hell broke loose. My monitor went black (without so much as a flicker) and stayed that way. Everything locked up in the black screen and _I could NOT get back into FS 2004 again_. It was only because some understanding, knowledgeable and patient people on this forum who talked me through the "crisis", that I was able to get back into FS again.I'm not going to do that again.AS I said in my post, I am perfectly happy with the way FS 2004 is performing in the Windowed mode, so I am not going to "go there again", thank you very much. I may be slow but I ain't stupid. (grin)Regards.DonaldS

I can honestly say that I do not get the black screen while going to full screen from windowed and vice versa. It has to be driver related as I am running FS9 on 2 systems, one, my design and internet PC is an athlon 1 gig, radeon 7200 64nmb card, 1 gig 2100 DDR, XP pro, no SP1, everything maxed, no AA in the sim (card has no options), cat 3.2 drivers and 1600x1200 res. I go back and forth from full to windowed for my scenery design and not a black screen at all, the only thing I notice that is off is the mouse pointer flickering in full screen and the drop down menus overlap, that is all.My new rig is an athlon 3200, 1 gig high perf 3200DDR, XP pro, G4 4600, 1600x1200 res, running with XP display drivers (NVidia) and getting good performance (20-30, locked at 30) with everything maxed, no tweaks, AA off in the sim, 2X on the card and 4X AF. I figure if I load up one of the current drivers I will have issues, so as long as it is doing good, no need.Sorry, both with DX9ARegards, MichaelKDFWhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VAwww.calvirair.comCougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviationwww.cgrmtnhelos.com

Hi Michael,unfortunately, your graphics cards don't qualify :). The older Radeons are not affected, neither are nVidia cards. It only affects the Radeon 9xxx series.Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Hi Donald,the Alt+Enter problem appears to have been solved in the 3.8 drivers, although I haven't tried it yet. I've been running FS in full screen mode without problems (apart from the flickering when calling up menus). The secret is not to use Alt+Enter. Change your FS9.cfg to open FS in full screen mode. If you need to go into Windows during the game, just use the Windows key (usually next to the 'Alt' keys).Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Not to mention reverting to the Cat 3.2's is a known fix.I saw this in a post over at Rage3D: "Last night I hooked up my TV to my machine to watch a flick and forgot to disconnect my secondary display before playing FS2004. Lo and behold, all my flashing screen problems are gone, and the game runs more snappy than ever. Maybe when the game is flashing it is polling the computer to see if a second screen is available. Anyways, if possible, hook a TV or second display to your machine and see if it works for you guys as well."Obviously a mere secondary display doesn't help the problem but the TV-out aspect is interesting.What bugs me is that ATi claims to have fixed a menu "flipping" issue. "Fixed in this driver: . . . Setting the game Flight Simulator 2004 to display at 1024x768 or 1280x1024 followed by starting a new flight results in the menu being flipped just before the new flight is about to begin".Maybe they didn't know what we've all been talking about. And is it me, or is AA not working as well in 04 with the 3.8's?

I never had any such flickering problems LOL. Could be my hardware is too old and not affected (I think the 9xxx series are affected). Tried Cat 3.8 drivers, nothing gained, nothing lost it seems on my system. I think this post was intended for the users with the high end 9xxx cards, but since I have had no problems with my 7200, I guess thats a good enough reason to add to the post LOL.System info in my signature, can provide more if requested.

>Not to mention reverting to the Cat 3.2's is a known fix.:)).But the secondary monitor issue is interesting, I think I'll do some more investigating...Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

You may be on to something here. I compared FS2002 and FS9, starting both without a .cfg file, on the same computer. When I went into the 'Settings/Display/Hardware' menu, I got two entries under display device in FS2002, namely 'RADEON 9700 PRO', and 'RADEON 9700 PRO (.DISPLAY1)'. In FS9 I only got 'RADEON 9700 PRO.0'. I then started both sims with neither the 'display.cfg' or the FS.cfg and got the same result.There was no flickering in FS2002 (never has been), but there was in FS9.Any suggestions?Cheers,Gosta.http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg

Just to confirm, Gosta... I ran the same test exactly as you outline above, and got the same results.I then changed in NotePad the format of the "Display" call in FS9.cfg to the same format that's used in FS2002, but this made no difference. Still seeing the flickering screen.Gonna go do some more prowling around in the Registry...