This may sound like a silly question, but is it possible to install FSX on two separate drives on the same computer? The reason I ask is it would be very convienent to install only the soon to be released PMDG 737NGX in the second FSX install and leave my existing "over loaded" instl where it is. This would result in a very clean installation which might enhance frame rates. Just curious if it is possible or even legal? Thanks for any input. Tom

questionably legal. It might be possible with some serious registry hacking but you'd have some serious registry problems when you tried to run them. Vic

Of course it's possible. I have three versions of FSX installed on the same computer, one of which is an untouched, completely "virgin" copy that I use to repair either of the two working versions. Obviously, only the main FSX installation is in the Registry, but frankly the Registry is only used when running certain installer packages that get the "default path" from the Registry. In such cases, I simply redirect the installer to use the copy of FSX to which I wish to install whatever it is. Equally obvious is that I can only run one of the three versions at a time!

Interesting. How do you go about installing the second (and third) copy? The FSX installer recognizes the existing installation on my system, so I only get the "Repair" and "Remove" options. Edit: Each FSX installed on a separate user account?

"The FSX installer recognizes the existing installation on my system, so I only get the "Repair" and "Remove" options." That's because you go past the opening screen, Tom, which states: - "To continue, click Install" .... Lower down the screen you actually get another choice - "If you'd like to specify your installation folder, or other installation settings, click More Options" Here you can choose whatever drive or path to this installation you wish.... E:\FSX1, C:\FSX_10_Original, F:|FSX_Test - or whatever you wish.

Paul, Thanks for your input. I will install FSX along with some scenery files and then the PMDG 737NG when released. I have a pretty good system and it will be interestingto see what difference there may be in FPS between the two installs. Thanks again, Tom

Of course it's possible. I have three versions of FSX installed on the same computer, one of which is an untouched, completely "virgin" copy that I use to repair either of the two working versions. Obviously, only the main FSX installation is in the Registry, but frankly the Registry is only used when running certain installer packages that get the "default path" from the Registry. In such cases, I simply redirect the installer to use the copy of FSX to which I wish to install whatever it is. Equally obvious is that I can only run one of the three versions at a time!

Don't you have problems with the installations not in the registry? I just ask because when the registry needs repairing (with the flight1 tool for example) the autopilot tends to fly the plane off courseOne solution (if it's really an issue) could be to have a batch file for each install to update the registry to it's particular location and then start FSX.exe, but I wonder if some addons might use their own registry entries and may not work properly.

Paul, I can't find the opening screen you mention. It starts directly with "repair" or "remove". I seem to be missing something. Tom

Paul, I can't find the opening screen you mention. It starts directly with "repair" or "remove". I seem to be missing something. Tom

You will only see that for a NEW installation. You must Uninstall first, then reinstall, this time choosing the option.

Interesting. How do you go about installing the second (and third) copy? The FSX installer recognizes the existing installation on my system, so I only get the "Repair" and "Remove" options.

I don't "install" the alternate copies! I simply copy/paste the entire folder of FSX to another drive and/or path!

Don't you have problems with the installations not in the registry? I just ask because when the registry needs repairing (with the flight1 tool for example) the autopilot tends to fly the plane off courseOne solution (if it's really an issue) could be to have a batch file for each install to update the registry to it's particular location and then start FSX.exe, but I wonder if some addons might use their own registry entries and may not work properly.

No, since FSX itself doesn't use the Registry entry. The only "conflict" I ever see is that all three of my FSX installs use the same scenery.cfg file, and even then it doesn't really matter to me. I simply blow past the "cannot find" warnings. Understand too that I don't even USE the "FSX_Virgin" copy at all. It is merely kept intact so I can quickly repair my "real" FSX if something happens to one of the default files. Unlike FS9, we can't simply extract individual files from the .CAB folders on the CDs to repair corrupted files... The third copy of FSX I use only when testing a new installer package I create to ensure that everything is installed where it's supposed to be placed, and the product loads and runs correctly.

Aaaaah.. Smart!...I learn every day! You are indeed the Master Guru, Billy! Except that - in order to test/verify that I could run a second install - I popped the disk into my (FSX) pc, and it did indeed come up with that screen. I didn't go beyond that, though, and so it may have crapped out at a further point.