I'm sorry if this is a repost, but among all the FS tips I have used, running under the clean boot method has given me the biggest boost in smooth, untroubled performance. The method is applicable to Windows XP, Me and 98 operating systems. The procedure is taken from Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 331796. It prevents system utilities, antivirus, etc., from starting. Computers on networks may not be able to do this.1. Click START, and then click RUN.2. In the OPEN box, type MSCONFIG, and then click OK.3. On the GENERAL tab, click SELECTIVE STARTUP.4. Under SELECTIVE STARTUP, click to clear the following check boxes. a. Process SYSTEM.INI file. b. Process WIN.INI file. c. Load startup items.5. On the SERVICES tab, click to select the HIDE ALL MICROSOFT SERVICES check box, and then click DISABLE ALL.6. Click OK, and then click RESTART.7. Run Flight Simulator.To restore your system to full operation, repeat steps 1 and 2, and on the GENERAL tab select NORMAL STARTUP. Click OK, and then click RESTART.I hope you have the same boost in enjoyment that I have.

The FSAutostart utility in the library acheives all this without the reboot, and even restores the previous settings when the sim session is finished.Allcott

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm not sure that the SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI files can be bypassed with FSAutostart? I thought they could only be bypassed with a suitably arranged restart. Having said that I'm not sure how significant the exclusion of these files is but I suspect it would depend mainly on the individual computer configuration and therefore what the contents of those files are.Any comments welcome as I would like to know more about this.

Yes, FSAutoStart will do some of these actions. I was actually a beta tester on some of the later versions of that program. There were some programs/utilities that it would shut down all right, but then fail to restart, on my system. I found the clean boot method to be preferable in the end.

I'm a bit confused here... I just downloaded FSAutoStart and really like how it allows me to start FSMeteo along with FS2004. I've been through all the documentation and the program itself and cannot find any evidence that it does anything else other than allow other applications to start and stop with FS2004. If you can explain how to affect msconfig-like changes to the PC prior to a reboot using FSAutoStart I'd really like to know.Thanks!DougDell 8250 (3.06GHz/533FSB)512 Rambus RAM120MB ATA 100 (7200 RPM)ATI Radeon 9700 Pro (Catalyst 4.3)Audigy 2 Sound (latest drivers)MS Force Feedback 2WindowsXP Pro (SP1)DirectX 9.0b

Overall there isn

Thank you for clean boot mode, which has inproved my frame rate substantially. Since I have a dedicated flightsim computer, it works fine and I am now managing to lock at 25 with PMDG 737NG. Before I was lucky if I could get 12.David.

Actually what I do is use msconfig and do the clean boot as recommended on the Microsoft site and I also use FSAutostart to manage the rest of the services. By trial and error I got it almost right but I might improve it further yet. I also made a new folder called "removed startup" and put all the contents of the startup folder into it, like a backup in case I want to put them back one day. I think moving those files might have helped considerably to free up resources but I wouldn't advise such action without considering the contents of the startup folder first. Then again if something doesn't work right afterwards, it shouldn't be too difficult to put anything back where it was.

Charlie,Please explain what services FSAutoStart manages outside of what you accomplish with msconfig? Also, how is FSAutoStart set up to do that?DougDell 8250 (3.06GHz/533FSB)512 Rambus RAM120MB ATA 100 (7200 RPM)ATI Radeon 9700 Pro (Catalyst 4.3)Audigy 2 Sound (latest drivers)MS Force Feedback 2WindowsXP Pro (SP1)DirectX 9.0b

Doug, I really like the clear memory feature of FSAutostart and also the useful help given when deciding what services to disable, though I found some trial and error was required as some services don't seem to like being disabled. I have it set to autostart Flight Assistant with fs9 and will probably add AS2004 to the autostart feature as well. To set up FSAutostart you just click on the services tab and a window opens showing all services, which ones are running and which ones are stopped, and under the action column you can click on any entry and whichever you have clicked will open a small box with 3 options: no action, stop, or stop and restart. You set every service to do what you want then save the config and then you can do the same thing with the programs button and save, then click on start and the program will do its stuff including starting fs and other programs you have asked it to start.

I discovered the problem, Charlie. I inadvertently downloaded an earlier version of the program before it had that capability :(Problem solved.. and I like the program very much! A very big help for me!DougDell 8250 (3.06GHz/533FSB)512 Rambus RAM120MB ATA 100 (7200 RPM)ATI Radeon 9700 Pro (Catalyst 4.3)Audigy 2 Sound (latest drivers)MS Force Feedback 2WindowsXP Pro (SP1)DirectX 9.0b

Doug, Glad to be of help, I like FSAutostart too, as I think it has features not found elsewhere as far as I know.

Hi,do you think it'll be possible to create a new account and edit in the way you described XP startup procedure w/o affecting the other accounts?In other words will i be able to switch to another user after FS2004 session w/o having to reboot the entire system?Thank you for helpingLuigi ;-)

Are you aware, drdickie, that after you run msconfig and streamline your processes and services, you can save this configuration? Then when you boot, you will be presented with a list of configuration from which to choose. I believe that I have five:1. Default -- what WinXP started when it was new.2. Games -- stripped-down version like the one you describe.3. Safe -- generic minimum system for safe operation.4. Profile1 -- the one that shipped with my system (default + HP stuff).5. Windows update -- the new update routine needs more services.I believe that I found the directions for making these configs at www.blackviper.com. The lists of what items to include in each config is also there. R-A NOTE TO LUIGI:No, selecting a different user will not accomplish the same thing. These procedures happen at a lower level in the operating system and require a reboot to take effect. R-

Please allow me to add: MsConfig is also available for Win2000. I always believed: Big bummer, no msconfig for w2k! Well, wrong. I found it on some homepage and it works fine. If anybody is interested, I could try to dig-up the link again? Cheers, good luck and kind regards Jaap