Greetings folks...I am strongly considering retreating back to FS2002 from FS2004. Why? A few reasons, but I wanted to bounce the idea out here to see if it's truly worth it in some of your eyes.As it is with the Highlander, "There can be only one"...My wishlist:* Running all the aircraft in my hanger. * Good performance and smooth flight.Personal PRO Reasons:* PIC-767, PSS, and other products that will work.* Winds aloft that don't knock down airplanes.* Performance, performance, performance with weather.* The ability to move FS2004 textures to FS2002, enhancing the realism.* Better ground mesh rendering (IMHO). * I never use VC's, so clickable VC's don't matter. * I've got the autogen.xml renamed, so the "ehnahced" autogen isn't even an issue. Personal CON Reasons:* Knowing I'll regret it when PSS releases FS2004 patches.* I'll REVERSE it when the PIC team releases it's new package, but there is no timeframe for it... probably next year sometime. * Diminished weather effects.* Possibly losing addon compatability as time goes on.* Losing taxi signs.* Lower autogen detail.* If MS releases a patch (*note = not announced... just hoped for) then the problems/performance might get better.I've come to enjoy the FS2004 experience, but I feel like I am missing out because I can't use the PIC767, nor can I (easily) use some of PSS's offerings. My other aircraft, the PSS A330/A340, PMDG 737, along with my other addons, all work quite well in FS2004. I'd like to run just one sim at a time to keep the installs clean. Some of the aircraft and addons I use are dsigned for one or the other, and technically can be installed for both, but a single install isn't too bad.If any of you have gone through this debate, please weigh in. System specs are below, in case they effect any advice. Gotchas and other tips are appreciated.Thanks everyone...-Germ

Been there, done that. I finally got tired of constantly tweaking FS 04 trying to get some semblance of smooth performance and gave up. I really like the features in FS 04 and like you, hate to give them up. But it just wasn't any fun having my flight turn into a slide show every time I got near a major city or airport. I finally moved back to FS 02 and will probably stay there until such time as I have the money to get a new computer. Once I get a faster machine, I'll go back to 04, but probably not until then.My system specs are: Pentium 3 800 mhz512 mb ramGeforce 4 TI 4400KP

Why not just have both installed on your system..use FS2002 for PIC and FS9 for VFR flights?

thought I would run both versions to "ween" myself off 2002. But since I've gone 2004 - I've never looked back!From the sound of your thread sounds like you are perhaps more interested on performance than quality - a choice we all make with every flight.Don't miss PIC - to me it's outdated. There are freebies now easily just as good. I use PSS with another panel now until the new patch comes out. My only hesitation was I have 100's of 2002 add-ons which probably don't work and I wasn't eager to start collecting all over again. Well, after 6 months since 2004 came out I have MORE 2004 add-ons, and they are of better quality, advanced operations... more than 2002 ever produced.but if you wanna live in the past... ;)

Nah - I've been living with the future for some time now. :) I'm just about ready to *temporarily* bail on FS2004 because of the state of addons and, to a much lesser degree, performance. I am a major fan of 767PIC. I've been without for a while, and the new PMDG 737NG v1.2 is only whetting the whistle. I want that same level of quality back for my heavier aircraft. Also, I really miss the proper functionality of the PSS A32x and Dash-8's... I've got the patch and the workaround, so I can fly the planes, but they are noticably hobbled at this point. I guess my patience is a little thin with waiting.FS2004 weather, tied in with FSMeteo/ActiveSky wxRE, has issues with winds at altitude. The wind shifts are not smoothed out, so you can go from a 60kt headwind to a 60kt tailwind in a literal instant, and most aircraft cannot deal with this - I have had multiple addon aircraft (both FMC guided and standard FS2004 autopilot guided) fall out of the sky.If it was up to me, I'd have all the visual effects of FS2004 with the back-end of FS2002. But it's not up to me. :)I'm currently doing a full system backup in case I decide to make that switch. I'm also taking a copy of my textures for use in FS2002, as well as other items that can make the transition. If I do it, I won't be running both at the same time... I don't want to make a mess of my computer when it comes time to update or reload an addon.This ALSO gives me the opportunity to purge any spy/adware that the D.A.P. program may have installed during my PMDG update download, and it lets me put the Catalyst 3.10's in on a very clean system.When more complex addons are released for FS2004 (the newer PMDG offerings, as well as other manufacturers) I'll have a bigger reason to move BACK to FS2004. Until then, I can return to my addons like the PIC and DF737, along with the new A330/340 and PMDG for a more complete simming experience. (Sidenote: Last time I attempted this, 24 hours later PSS released their FS2004 patches. Wouldn't it be funny if they did it again! I'll be taking a Ghost image before any programs get installed just in case!) I'm not yet fully committed to this change, but I'm prepping for it. I still could get talked either way, so those with opinions, let's hear 'em!-Greg

How do I do this please? I remember a while seeing some screen shots by somebody who had done this, at the time i didnt have 2004.RegardsAsh

http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...topic_id=157845...is one link to a method. It creates a flaw with runway textures, but that is easily corrected using your FS2002 files you backed up. You DID back them up, right? :) -Greg

Yesterday I felt the same as you so I put the question to open comment withy the VA I fly with, www.knightair.org I got a solution, knock the slider for 'AI Trafic' back to 10%, and enjoy FS2004 again.Previously I was getting between 3-14fps now and since the alteration I get 11-54 fps!If it burns Kerosene and makes a noise, I'm interested.:-)

I must admit, I've been meaning to do this for more than a month now......the MAIN reason being the PIC757 (PIC panel with a 757 model). The second reason is of course the horrible wind shifts. So far, I haven't had a crash resulting from these wind shifts yet because I'm always at the controls, and when the overspeed comes up, I cut throttles, deploy speed brakes (if available) and get the speed down before airframe stress causes a crash. (Worked even with the DF-C310).What I love about FS9:The visuals, The improved ATC (although, being cleared to 60NM finals and told to contact tower is a bit much for me and for the AI).The easier setup for AI parking, Afcads, multiple runways, no need for overlays.The ability to use DX9 with the latest NVidia drivers (for my Ti4600) without crashing to the desktop.....a problem I had with FS2002 whenever I tried to use it with DX9. Also, the only drivers that gave me good performance in FS2002 were the 30.82s.What I love about FS2002:PIC767PIC767PIC767.Wind and Pressure shifts are easily to dampened using FSUIPC.Tons and Tons of Scenery, and all my payware aircraft works.What I hate about FS2002:I seem to get much more blurries with FS2002 than FS9 with the same hardware setup. This may possibly change if I move textures from FS9 to FS2002 however.The AI requires more work to setup.Right now, I am flying the CS727 almost exclusively. For such a beautiful aircraft with excellent photorealistic panels and the best looking VC I've ever seen in an addon of that magnitude, it has suprisingly high FPS. The recent release of V1.2 for the PMDG-NG runs a lot worse on my system than the previous one for some strange reason. I know the CS727 works well in FS2002. What I intend to do however, is set up a separate partition on my hard drive and install WinXP into that partition together with FS2002 so that I can use DX8/30.82s. I'll run both that way instead of having both on the same partition. I'll stick with that setup for about a month then decide which one I want to can.

Unfortunately, knocking the sliders back wouldn't solve the PIC767 problem :-) .More seriously though, it wouldn't solve the wind shift problem.

The winds are a pretty big issue...Set up the airplane in a nice cruise, get up for a cold beverage of choice, come back to find the plane darting between trees and bouncing over the ground. Nice. ActiveSky 1.92 and FSMeteo 6.4 don't really have answers for it, so it's back to the original I go. The PIC767 (and subsequent 757 mod-variants), PSS A32x, PSS DHC-8, DF737, all only flyable on 2002. Of course, FS2004 is just a reinstall away when things get up to speed with it, so I won't be missing much.-Greg

Greg,Active Sky V1.92 was never meant to solve the major shifting winds problem. Guess what? you would have the same shifting winds with default FS weather.Hope this helps,JimActiveSky Support

Oh I know... hence the probable retreat. :) (I thought I had read on the notes that AS1.92 was going to make an attempt at it, but I guess I was incorrect at that one.)

Well, I've had FS2004 for about five hours now, and I'm in love!I'm learning the meaning of compromise, coz my machine is a (don't laugh!) 600mhz with 128RAM.I'm buying a new PC in Feb which will be a screamer, and I can't wait to see 2004 with the sliders above "barely alive".....This baby looks like it will be way cool.....in time.Allblack

"Don't miss PIC - to me it's outdated. There are freebies now easily just as good." Ah ignorance rears it's ugly head but once again. PIC set a standeard and will always be the one that guided many of us hardcore fellows to FS bliss. True I have moved on to my beloved 737 but I will always give honor to the one P E A C E[h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/betaimg.jpg