Gents -Pardon me if this discussion is inappropriate for this forum, but like many others I appreciate the wisdom of fellow forum members (not to mention the traffic)! On Wednesday, I've begun to experience big problems with my FSX install. Prior to Wednesday, FSX was running like a dream with the occasional texture corruption.The symptoms are as follows:1. Splash screen takes upward of 6-8 minutes to load2. During the FSX Launch, I will get an error with a 3rd party addon module (I've seen both CS and PMDG errors3. If I try to select the PMDG 747-8 from either the GUI or in the sim, FSX locks up and the AC is never loaded (This doesn't seem to happen with add-ons that do not use the "add-on" menu from within the sim4. TrackIR does not function within the sim5. With the exception of FSUIPC, no I have no other options in the "add-on" menu within the sim despite having a host of add-ons6. Upon exiting the Sim, I get an error message that says: "FSX process not found: FSX_handle:07.) I noticed a relatively high amount of fragmentation on my dedicated FSX drive... roughly 1200 fragmented files when the typical amount is 4-6 fragmented files (per O&O defrag).What I've tried without resolution:1.) Delete and let FSX recompile FSX.cfg2.) Uninstall and re-install EZCA3.) Use the repair utility for both FSX and the FSX SDK using the Acceleration Disk4.) Logbook repair utilitySystem Setup:[email protected] (watercooled) temps fineGTX 260Asus P5N-T Deluxe8 gig DDR 2 @1066WD Caviar Black HD dedicated to FSXWindows 7 64 BitFSX Setup:Dedicated HDSytstem optimized per NickN's instructionsMaintained w/ O&O DefragFSX.cfg modified per *******'s (bojote's) instructionsFSX AddonsA2A B17 AccusimA2A J-3 AccusimA2A P-47 AccusimA2A B377 AccusimASE (on networked computer)Aerosoft F-16Aerosoft PBY CatalinaAerosoft Piper CheyenneReal Air DukeCS B757CS B727CS C-130Carenado BonanzaCarenado CaravanMilviz C310Eaglesoft Citation XEaglesoft Cirrus SR22G3Eaglesoft Columbia 400Eaglesoft Twin ComancheEZDOKFlight1 Pilatus PC-12FSUIPC (registered version)HIFI Simulations GraphicsXLotusSim L-39PMDG 747-4, -8PMDG J41PMDG MD-11Reality XP GNS 530W&430WUTX-USAFSInn and related programs for VatsimSuspicions:I believe that there is either a problem with simconnect or EZCA, though I'm unsure what remedies I should try next. I'm not savvy at running diagnostics (i.e. delving into the event log) so if that's what I need to do, please point out a step by step checklist to complete. Any and all advice is welcome and I thank you in advance! Buddy Morgan

I would make sure you have backups of your important files - this sounds like it could be the beginnings of a hard disk failure to me.

I concur with Ryan. Also, it may sound trivial, but check your system for viruses. A hardware failure is not the only reason for file corruption.

Thanks guys, I've already got everything backed up on an external drive. No viruses were detected, so this weekend when I get a chance... I'm reformatting/fresh install. HD failure would strike me as odd... I just bought 2 WD caviar blacks about 3 months ago... I'll report back. Thanks again for the help! Cheers!Buddy Morgan

Thanks guys, I've already got everything backed up on an external drive. No viruses were detected, so this weekend when I get a chance... I'm reformatting/fresh install. HD failure would strike me as odd... I just bought 2 WD caviar blacks about 3 months ago... I'll report back. Thanks again for the help! Cheers!Buddy Morgan

I've had HDs fail within a week of buying them before. It's not impossible.