Hi All,Since getting a new computer with Windows XP Home Edition, I have been getting CTD's (Crash to Desktop) but only when I load up certain aircraft that are from FS98 days. This happens in FS2000 and FS2002. Haven't tried FS2004 yet with these planes, which are only TWO, but these two are my all time favorite jets. My aircraft loads up ok, but when I click on the upper Menu tool bar, BANG! the sim locks up and after 10 seconds or so I get the message, "Program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down." It's a solid crash every time. I have no viruses or problems with this HP 2800+ AMD, 512 DDR, NVidia GE Force4mx with 64mb ram. Funny thing is, if I just load the plane and NOT touch the upper tool bar, I can make a flight, etc. Just can't change the fuel load or nothing else. Searching the forums, I see that others are getting CTD's with XP, and for a variety of reasons. The answer that's "usually" given is the persons "Local computer settings" are not right. I have also loaded as many XP Updates I can get for now and the machine is SOLID in all other respects. I use McAfee Internet Suite anti-virus software too, but don't make any difference whether it's "active" or not.Thing is, can anyone tell me exactly what local settings I might try on my machine to remedy this annoying problem? THANK YOU EVERYONE for reading this far also, and wish you all the best!Al Whitney - Bacal Aircraft Lab

Evening AlI think there are two main types of "crash". The typical (if there is such an animal) is when the sim freezes and you get the error message which usually identifies the culprit. In my case it is either the terrain.dll, atc.dll, weather.dll or ntd.dll.The other more infuriating "crash" is when you are flying along, minding your own business and then a split second later you are at the desktop. No error message is ever given so there is no way of knowing what caused it.I have tried to isolate the cause but it seems to be related in some way to time. Either a seasonal thing (textures-lots have been written about this) or what about the phase of the moon? The last crash I had was on Sunday night (full moon I think). I was over 80 nm away from land at this point, so could it be water textures? Who knows?I may log them to see if a pattern emerges but generally they occur every 2 or 3 months (I always fly on the present day).Sorry to go on.Colin

Hi Colin,THANK YOU for the reply! Good to hear from a fellow pilot. In the mean time, I have isolated the CTD crashes of my favorite TWO jets to the older style gauges used for the custom panels I made. I got both flying smooth in 2k2 now, but must use the default Lear45 Panel that comes with FS2002! My system seems to be very finicky about small things. Funny too thou, I can't even get the ACS-GPS gauge to work as an addon in the default Lear45 panel ALONG with the standard gps gauge. Still crashes the XP to a shut down message. What's even stranger when I think about it, is that I have both Phoenix's 747 and 777 panels do load AOK along with the ACS-GPS gauges and a host of other gauges left over from FS2000 days AND the dum thing flies FINE! No Crashes! Go figure!At least now I don't have to use any default 2k2 a/c. Bye for now. BEST.Al Whitney - Bacal Aircraft Lab

If I remember correctly, some FS98 and earlier gauges do cause problems with WinXP. You might check with http://www.acsoft.ch/Flight_Simulator/flight_simulator.html to see if Capt Al has later versions of the ACS-GPS gauge. You may even have several versions floating around in your addons.W. Sieffert

Hi W. Sieffert,Thank You for the reply! For now, FS2004 has become too much of a hassle, so have deleted it. (2nd time) but I am saving all the goodies for it I have already. I love the functionality and ease of use of FS2000 and have only recently discovered my mistakes with using FS2002. I FINALLY figured out what the "pitch hunting" was when using the PSS 747 and 777 A/C in 2k2. The throttle setting, after take off is REVERSED after you engage the A/P!!!! How DID I start on this? Anyway, Alain Capts ACS-GPS is a LIFE SAVER addon! Think we all can agree. It works AOK in my PSS jets but don't work with my Learjet 45 or the T-38 Talon, WHEN I use an addon panel from FS2000 that uses some older but VERY functional gauges. This is OK thou. I am gearing up to use FS2002 for the long haul. The interface is almost the same as FS2000 and the functionality might be a bit better when editing the Aircraft.cfg file. I also like 2k2 over the others because you DON't need the CD in the drive to run it! Keep the Blue on TOP!Al Whitney - BACAL Aircraft Lab