Hi everyone...I've just built a new PC for the sole use of FS2004. Heres the spec:-P4 2.6Abit IS-7E board1g RAMHercules Radeon 9700Pro Vid cardSaitek stickWindows 98SEFS2004VFR sceneryDx 9.0bATI 3.10 (Latest)Having installed 98, 2004 and a set of UK VFR scenery, I cant fly for more than 10 minutes without a CTD, a crash or a total lockup. Sometimes I can setup, take off and pause, wait a few minutes and ...CTD...Evrything has been set to default to start and no amount of adjusting settings up or down seems to help. There is no other software on the PC. I've run through the suggestions on the MS website to no avail.Any thoughts anyone...?RegardsNigePS. I've come here from the Mac world and this has come of a bit of a shock...

Using more than 512MB of memory with Windows 98 is a bad idea.Install another game and see if the same thing happens. If you have several memory sticks (e.g. two 512 meggers), try removing one.I really recommend you install Windows 2000 or XP, they're a lot more stable and work better with new hardware.

JimmiG beat me to it regarding the RAM with W98.If that doesn't work -it may be worthwhile checking that your PSU is up to the job- particularly if you're suffering lockups that can only be got rid off by pressing the reset.Also check CPU temps both under load and idle.Dave

Thanks for the thoughts...I'll try pulling some memory - The PSU is a 450w so I think its OK. Temos are fine.Looking thru the posts here there does seem to be a lot of strange CTD problems around...Is XP generally a better bet with 2004??Nige

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q108079http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q181862http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...b;en-us;q253912Did you install the MOBO's controller chip drivers, i.e., Intel, VIA, SiS, AMD, ALi. Open Device Manager, system devices and search for:Intel CPU to AGP ControllerVIA CPU to AGP Controller and the like.Beta testing fs2004 on a computer that is dual boot Win98SE/WinXP, FS2004 performed better with WinXP. Since the hardware was the same, it stands to reason the software provided the improvement.W. Sieffert

NigeI've never had a problem using 1Gig RAM or more with Win 98 / 98SE. You just need to set MaxFiles (VCache) to 512 MB or less. The reason (as I understand it) is that on boot up VCache initially tries to grab most of your RAM, but can't handle more than 512 MB, and so must be limited from doing so. I've done this on many machines and it always worked. Don't know if this will fix FS9 CTD but is something you must do if you use over 512 MB with Win 98.David

Hi,If you are still getting CTD's after other peoples suggestions try removing the VFR scenery and see if you are then CTD free.Also have you any AFCAD files added??

I've installed the motherboard support software and now Its worse... I'll report back!Nige

The way the new operating systems use something called the "Hardware Application Layer" and the old operating systems do not make it very probelematical that anything will run satisfactorily on them. If you want to eliminate a root cause of many problems get an operating system that is designed to run on the new hardware. Win2kPro is the best to choose from and XP is Win2kPro with a pretty face. Since XP is so pervasive now, you might be better off with it, since there are some around here who think it is the only MS O/S that is 32 bit:-roll MS says they will continue to support 2k until 2k6 and XP goes out in 2k8.MS has not supported 98 and before for quite a while and most newer programs, not just games, have a lot of trouble with 98. Also the most important in my view is security; Windows 98 is a hacker's heaven and while XP is very exploitable, there are many, many patches available for it to lock it down some. You really do need to get the newer operating system.

NigeI definitely second what's been said above about Win 2000Pro and Win XP. Also, the OEM versions are a lot cheaper than the retail. You just have to buy a hardware item with it to get the OEM price. I think even a $5 cable will do. See www.newegg.com .David

Regarding the support for Win98 in my post above. The support period by MS has been extended to '06 so that in Microsoft's words, "users in less developed countries can transition to the newer operating systems." It seems that users from less developed countries had not heard that there were newer operating systems and don't have the equipment to utilize the newer technology so Microsoft is going to continue to support the older stuff.My advice to anyone with new equipment is still to get the new operating system and come to the 32 bit age. That is what your newer software is written for...

Get read of that 98.. And get XP SP1! Hey man, this OS is over 5 years old!AC5