Hello Dick - only add-on is USA Roads. I don't know if that would cause this. Hope not!Andrew>Hi Andrew.>>...and you're simulator is running only the default scenery>and aircraft?>>Dick

"Could it be an old graphics card (32MB) that's causing this?"Sorry I've been out of the forums. I haven't been much help here lately, having been ill and have had to deal with some other issues. But I wanted to answer this question.Simply put, the answer ia YES... I have 98SE, and 384 megs of RAM. I can't stress enough that your graphics card isn't enough. Since I've owned FS2004, I first used it with a GEF 2 64 meg card. Aside from the autogen issue (which I assume you've fixed), my performance still degraded over time. That's never been the case with my 124 meg card.Since your card is hobbled in terms of capacity/performance, you have to remove things that eat textures. Sorry--but that means no autogen or AI. You may even have to cut down on scenery density and texture detail.As I said before, shop around for an OEM 4200 TI--you can't go wrong and I'd guess they can be found for $50.If you have to fly with some autogen, somewhere in the library here there's replacement, low res autogen textures. You may wish to give tbose a try. Also, fly with Chris's replacement cloud textures if you aren't already--although I suggest his 32 bit to start.With only 384 megs RAM and max autogen, I run with about 60-80 megs of system RAM still available. Turning off autogen takes that up to 115-120megs. I never have to worry about the swap file being used.Also, if you have more than 512megs with Win98SE, you will have issues (although there's some things you can do--just browse google--to put the memory >512 to good use).Sorry I can't help more these days, but I hate seeing my peers here pull their hair out if they are at someplace I've been...

You need to run the GUI program first and setup your profile. It sounds like you are running the fsasctl.exe program, which needs a profile setup.

>Still, the>largest improvement (in fs2002 as well) was going to a 128 meg>card. For example, dynamic blurring in FS2002 is all but>gone. In FS2004, it's never been an issue. I'd also imagine>that you'd be able to find something like a 4200 TI for $50-60>omnline. IMHO, it's more than adequate for FS2004 given our>system speed. Mine was an OEM version--I've had it about a>year now, and it's humming along great.>>-JohnHi John,Having torture tested and benchmarked FS2k2 with a few dozen (closer to a hundred if I exclude the benchmarking) machines from weak knead K6's to highly O/C P4s@ 4+ghz dream machines Dyanamic Blurries performance are directly related to RAW CPU AND sub-system memory this cannot be denied, nothing what so ever to do with Frame buffer, as even 16 mg can handle a Huge amount of textures as they are sent post mipped, just dont expect to do high rez, 32bit color or AA/AF with 16/32 megs also you will keep having to dump and reload depending on what FS feels you should wee when changing views etc.You can throw a 256mb card on an old P4-2.2 and never overcome Dynamic Blurries with FS2k2, only way..reduce CPU draw by cutting back on mesh detail, ground shadows, AI etc...I certainly have to agree with the TI fitting the slot for that types of machine, better yet I have seen a few FX5600-5700 for a buck (with rebate) and thats like a TI4600 on steroids!Take care.

>Hello Dick - >>only add-on is USA Roads. I don't know if that would cause>this. Hope not!>>Andrew>>>Hi Andrew.>>>>...and you're simulator is running only the default scenery>>and aircraft?>>>>Dick>Drew,The road add-on is taking its toll on your system as not the ammount of memmory but memmory speed and raw CPU power is already extreamly taxed, cut back on the roads a bit, try just using the "major roads" setting in the USAroads setup and see if that helps or not.Your memory is fine for W98, and if you want to see a much nicer display like being able to use higher rez + Anisotropic filtering as well as atleast 2xAA do as John suggest and upgrade yer Vid card to a decent 128 card...do not get a substandard card like a FX5200 etc. the price differance is not that much..min of an older GF4TI42-4800/ATI 6800 or better still an FX5700 would be tops for that type of machine (sorry repeating myself).Turn yer mesh detail down at least below 80% can really help.Raw power is still a huge demand of this sim, but as John has done you can make it work! :-)

Hi Andrew.USARoads alone can drive the memory usage for FS9 over 300MB. Add to this the memory "cost" of the operating system, and background processes, and you are definitely into using the hard drive as operating memory.Even using only Major Roads might cause a problem... you might even have problems with the default scenery, which will go up to over 200MB in city areas.And, as was noted, your video card is pretty minimal.To enjoy the sim without using only minimal scenery and default aircraft, you need a new PC and need to go with WindowsXP. :(Dick

Thanks everyone for your putting up with my low-level trouble...Ken, I'll try to figure out what you're talking about and take care of business :)[edit: Ok, got it. I'm on 98SE so the first bit didn't work, but the rest was straightforward. FS didn't start at first; I changed its priority to "high" and we're off to the air races.]I'd probably give up Autogen before USA Roads, and yes, I did the Autogen fix;I had my RAM up to 640 but it didn't change the performance degradation.Funny, as you'll undoubtedly remember, this all started way back when I was looking for a new vid card! I now have my Dell power adapter-coverter-thing so I can up my power supply with an ATX box now and pop a new video card in. I have read and been told quite a bit that the Ti is the way to go so I'll take your advice and find one online.I've also been told (as in this thread right here! - thanks Dick) that I'll need a new system - that's not bad news at all. I don't really mind upgrading a little at a time, and I'll be keeping my current system an learning how to set up multiple-CPU systems.Once again, thanks everyone. Needless to say, the quality of the help I receive here on a daily basis (without being flames) never ceases to surprise me. I imagine that to those of you who've been around here for a while that isn't the case.John, hang in there and keep busy.CheersAndrew

"better yet I have seen a few FX5600-5700 for a buck (with rebate) and thats like a TI4600 on steroids!"Hey Paul - I'd do that.... any idea where I can find this card for that price??I was looking at the GeForce FX 5500 at Best Buy - it's $150 or something. I see a 5700 on newegg for $130.Thanks,Andrew

Alas, it is indeed USA Roads.Drat.Andrew

You sure it is USA Roads?I have the same problem.It detoriates slowly..eventtually I get like 1 or 2 FPS.(Sigh!)I have a great geforce 9600 Ultra card with 256MB, a Pentium 4 2GH Dell. 1 Gig Memory.But its loaded with addons. But come to think of it... I don't use all the addons at once. I mean..When I am in KLAX (Mega Scenary)...the USA Roads should not even kick in. and I use the Dreemfleet Piper. and the Reality GPS...is all.I ofcourse have the problem with the Reality GPS. If I keep clicking on it..the whole FS9 freezes after a while... So I have that going for me as well.Hmmmph. :(

"You sure it is USA Roads?"In my case, yes... I don't have any other add-ons.In your case? Well, with that system I don't know if USA Roads would do it. Their site says 256 is enough... I don't think so...I tried adding 256 up to 640 total with exactly the same problem!I hope there's an easy solution, because it's one of the greatest things I've seen in FS and I'd hate to have to have a massive workstation to take advantage of it.Andrew