I just installed W7 x64 Home Premium on a new partition after a full format. I then installed the current Nvidia drivers for my GTX216 graphics card (CPU Q9650, 4GB DDR2).

Next, I did a clean install of FS9 on a dedicated partition H using original disks.  (Full format of this partition before).

 

I ran FS2004 at KSEA with the default Cessna to check the version - 9.0.  When I clicked on View menu with my mouse (Razer Death Adder) I got weird results. Instead of Spot View I got a cockpit view which looked out over the countryside instead of down the runway. None of the views worked correctly.  To cut a long story short I ended up uninstalling FS2004.  I did another full format of the H partition and reinstalled the program. Same result. Exasperation.

 

I've been flying MSFS since FS95 and before but I never experienced anything like this before.  I have tried all the tips and tricks I can think of but have drawn a blank.

 

Obviously, I have missed something, but what?  Is there any possibility that there is some muddle in the registry?  I note that there is no drive letter next to my previous and now disabled XP_FS9 install.

 

Help, please! 

 

Some of the more recent nVidia drivers are reported as being unkind to FS9.  Try installing an earlier (trusted) version.

Some of the more recent nVidia drivers are reported as being unkind to FS9.  Try installing an earlier (trusted) version.

 

Hmm...thanks.

I uninstalled the latest drivers and did a clean, custom install of the stable 296.10 driver.  Still exactly the same weird effects. 

 

John

OK ... try installing the 9.1 update and see if that has any effect.

i did that already.  I suspect it has something to do with the graphics card.   

 

EDIT:  I noticed that the graphics card was not showing in fs9.cfg and it should!  For some reason my PC is running on the default graphics.

 

Will reinstall card, drivers, etc. 

I forgot the name of the utility built into the nvidia control panel that has profiles for a number of apps. That should be checked for any settings that might be a problem if it loads settings for FS9.

 

You can also try this after you install a different video driver:

 

Rename FS9.cfg to FS9.cfh to provide a safe copy. Start FS9 and it will build FS9.cfg. Check the display section. Is the correct driver listed? If so copy and paste it into the FS9.cfh file that is saved. Remove any other display sections in that file so there is only one for your card pasted in from this new FS9.cfg. Rename the rebuilt fs9.cfg fs9.cf1 to save it. Rename fs9.cfh to fs9.cfg. Now start FS9 and see what happens.

 

This file renaming allows you to keep your other fs9.cfg settings.

 

You also should check what version of DX is running. Open the command window or use the run command to run dxdiag.exe. Get the specs and try some of those tests.

Thanks, Ron and others. 

 

The NVIDIA card now appears in fs9.cfg and the good news is that the view commands now work as they should.

 

 

 

You also should check what version of DX is running. Open the command window or use the run command to run dxdiag.exe. Get the specs and try some of those tests.

 

According to dxdiag.exe I am running DX11 but according to the NVIDIA control panel I am running DX10 runtime.  NickN of simforum fame recommends DX9 even for FSX.  The idea of messing around with DX fills me with dread. For one thing I have no idea how to swap DX10 or DX11 (whichever one I have) for DX9. 

 

However, I do plan to update the Asus BIOS from its original 2008 version to a more recent one. 

 

Things look a lot brighter now so hopefully my old Q9650 system remains stable and there is no recurrence of that madness. Thanks again! 

 

John
 

I spoke too soon.  Now the blessed thing refuses to start - dead as a doornail. 

 

Will spec up a new PC for FS9 - this one is 6 years old so it's done pretty well.

 

Thanks for all help but I'm outa this thread now.