Hi all,

I've just bought a new computer with Windows 7 64 bit system. I've already had several issues with this system and I'm beginning to hate the OS. So far, the PMDG planes I have are working okay. But when I installed the 737 800 and 900 series, the style menu is totally different from that when it was in Windows Xp. The appearance appears to look like a Windows 7 menu instead of the original PMDG menu. Is there anything I can do to make it look the same as it did in Windows Xp? I've been hearing different things about the Windows 7 OS system but I'm not familiar with all of it's bull crap that Microsoft has put in their OS. For example, I have the Flight1 727 and when I try to open the 727 Configuration Manager, I get the message saying: ActiveX Component Can't Create Object, and I can't install my original Microsoft drivers for the SideWinder Force Feedback 2, and there were other issues that I had. Windows 7 has too many bull crap put into their software where I can't run or operate certain programs. Has PMDG, or Microsoft come out with any updates that will make these programs work or be compatible?

 

Ken.

Ken,

 

Windows XP is 11 years old this year. Most of us have been on Win7 for years already now. I think Win7 is the best OS Microsoft has ever made and I urge you to give it a chance and get used to it before you write it off.

 

I'm not sure what you're referring to about the styles menu - this is the old FS9 NG I take it? Do you have a screenshot of what you're seeing?

 

This appears to be the solution to your 727 issue:

http://www.simforums.com/Forums/topic20345.html

Hi Ryan,

Thanks so much for informing me about WIndows 7. I've heard that it was a good OS but I've also heard that most just didn't like it. Since I purchased my new computer with Windows 7, all I had was nothing but issues, one right after the other. I've heard from some that Windows 7 has too many restrictions, especially in the Program Files. And get a load on this. When I installed the AVG 2012 Free Edition, it was telling me that my FS9 exe file was a threat. But I knew it was not a threat and I believed the virus definition was a false program. I couldn't even run my flight simulator until I un-installed the AVG program. I called and told them about it but they referred me over to a tech support team where they wanted to charge me $59.00 to fix the problem, and I wasn't about to do it. They didn't want to admit that I was propably right. And here's something else to back that up. My brother installed AVG, the same program as I did, and he had the exact same issues. He's also running Windows 7. There were 4 or 5 issues I was running into, one after the other and I was just getting fed up with it. Every time I tried to install a program or a hardware, I was getting messages saying it can't run this or run that.

 

Yes, it's the old 737NG for FS9. By the way, I downloaded the link for the dx7vb, and that fixed the configuration issue. Thanks. I've done a search on that and it never referred to that link. I have the Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2. Do you know of a fix so that I can install the original drivers? I think it said that the drivers were not compatible with Windows 7. But I don't understand why it's not since Windows 7 Programs come with Program Files(x86), which is for 32 bit programs, and Program Files, which is for 64 bit programs. Thanks for your assistance with Windows 7. I only had it a few weeks now.

 

Ken.

U need to turn of the uac and when installing addons use admin priv other wise you will run into problems as you seem to have, think that most of us have installed the flight sim on its own root drive

It does appear after doing some research that Microsoft considers the Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 a legacy product and they did not develop drivers for it past Windows XP. I did see some people saying that just plugging it in and using the generic driver Win7 assigns by default may work though. That stick is also 11 years old like XP - it was released in 2001 originally.

 

Unfortunately this is just the reality with computer stuff - 11 years is an eternity in the technology market.

Just as Peter said turning off UAC is almost a must in Win 7. Compared to XP in Win 7 there is a lot more of yes and next pressing and many errors can be traced back to programs not having enough authority. One requirement for Win 7 to work is that it is constantly updated. Just make sure that windows update is updated at the highest level.

 

Manfred

Hello Ken,

I have two suggestions:

1) Install FSX / FS9 on the root of the C: drive (or better still buy a seperate hard-drive for your flightsim software.

2) Install MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) for your antivirus.

 

I know there are some people out there who dislike Microsoft AV,but I swear by it, rather than at it.

 

Refer to the instuctions for installing FS on a root drive here:

http://support.preci...nstall-fsx.aspx

Ken, the vast majority of us using W7 have no issues. It really is a great OS.

 

As for your AVG issues, they are precisely that AVG issues not W7 issues. I too use Microsoft Security Essentials it's an excellent AV.

 

Turning off the annoying UAC is easy. just hit the start button and type UAC into the search box. Drag the UAC slider to the bottom, and then reboot your PC.

 

It is also advised by many to install FSX outside of program files, but to be honest, I've had it in both locations, and had no issues in either location.

 

It's also important to right click anything you install and run as administrator.

 

Programs you run, can be set to run as administrator, by right clicking selecting properties, clicking the compatibility tab, and at the bottom setting the program to run as administrator.

 

Also make sure all the drivers and software you install are the 64 bit versions. Unless the 32 bit version is known to run okay on a 64 bit OS.

Hi Ken,

 

I agree with Martin-W's advice above.

 

I have FSX running in the main "C" drive not in "program files x86" and have no problems at all.

 

Windows7 64bit works fine and so long as you re-install everything correctly, and don't just copy files to your hard drive from an external hard drive you should be fine. I think personally it's a better system than XP now I have got used to it. Don't forget your learning a new operating system and things work differently.

 

Regards.

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for your advice about the Windows 7 OS. I'm beginning to understand it's OS. I just have to understand it better and things should work okay.

 

Ken.

 

One requirement for Win 7 to work is that it is constantly updated. Just make sure that windows update is updated at the highest level.

 

Hi Manfred,

I guess I should check but how do I make sure it's set at the hightest level? It may be already set there by default but I better make sure.

 

Ken.

If still need drivers and software for your MS force feedback2, check this site (it did work with me): http://www.fs-force.com/

Hello Ken,

I have two suggestions:

1) Install FSX / FS9 on the root of the C: drive (or better still buy a seperate hard-drive for your flightsim software.

2) Install MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) for your antivirus.

 

I know there are some people out there who dislike Microsoft AV,but I swear by it, rather than at it.

 

Refer to the instuctions for installing FS on a root drive here:

http://support.preci...nstall-fsx.aspx

 

 

Hi Jude,

Thanks so much for the link. I noticed it's referring to FSX. Does this also apply to FS9?

 

Also, I didn't know that Microsoft Security Essentials had an anti-virus program. I'm running Norton's trial version now, but I hear that Norton's just slows down Flight Simulator. I really liked the AVG better until I started having those issues. I think my WIndows 7 comes with Microsoft Essentials, so is the Microsoft Security Essentials a separtate program or is it included in the Microsoft Essentials?

 

Ken.

yes it also applies to FS9 too.

MSE is a separate program which can be downloaded from here:

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials

 

MSE does not come included with Windows 7,but is a free download nontheless.

Suggest you install MSE first, then remove the Norton AV

Good luck.

No, uninstall AVG first, then install MSE.

 

It's not generally recommended to have two AV's running together.

 

The chances of contracting a virus in the very brief time between AVG and MSE are almost zero.

 

As for installing W7 Updates at the "highest level", I have no idea what is meant by that either... Just install Windows updates on a regular bassis, or set them to do so automatically. Personally I prefer control, so I do it myself.

 

Defrag on a regular bassis, but don't get carried away and defrag every week as some do, it's not necessary and adds to hard drive wear unnecessarily. Same goes for fancy defrag programs. I've tested them and found no difference in PC performance than the standard Windows defrag. Others may disagree, so all power to them if that's their choice.

I just spent all day yesterday doing a fresh system install and I put FSX in the C: drive for the first time and if you look at my specs below you know I'm running a semi legit system I still kept getting random crashes and issues while in flight in the NGX if i flew more than 4 hours in the NGX or 6 in the 747 I can tell you this seems to have fixed what ever glitch was causing that along with bojotes tweaks and NVIDIA inspector.

 

I forgot to mention also defragging it took Ultimate defrag 8 hours to clean my system up.