Hello.

 

After Windows 7 came out I remember there being some confusion about people getting things to work properly after upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 as far as FS9 was concerned.  My father might be ditching his XP system for a new Windows 7 system and I am trying to remember everything.

 

I do remember some people being confused becuase of the new path to the users profile directory and things like that.  But, I can't remember if that was the only issue or not.

 

Can you help me to recall what issues he may encounter?  I am asking for him as I will be assisting with this task should it happen.

 

Thanks!

A few simple precautions should lead to a trouble-free migration, and your father will probably find that FS9 runs better on Windows 7 than it did on XP.

 

1. Install FS9 to its own directory, not to the "Program Files x86" directory the installer will select for you. I.e. "C:\FS9" would work well. So would "C:\Games\FS9.".

2. Once you've installed and patched FS9, right-click on the executable fs9.exe and set it to run with administrative rights.

3. Anytime you are installing 3rd party software into FS9, always run with administrative rights.

 

Using the above suggestions, I've found FS9 to run very well on Windows 7 64-bit, and I haven't had any problems with installing any of my 3rd party addons either.

A few simple precautions should lead to a trouble-free migration, and your father will probably find that FS9 runs better on Windows 7 than it did on XP.

 

1. Install FS9 to its own directory, not to the "Program Files x86" directory the installer will select for you. I.e. "C:\FS9" would work well. So would "C:\Games\FS9.".

2. Once you've installed and patched FS9, right-click on the executable fs9.exe and set it to run with administrative rights.

3. Anytime you are installing 3rd party software into FS9, always run with administrative rights.

 

Using the above suggestions, I've found FS9 to run very well on Windows 7 64-bit, and I haven't had any problems with installing any of my 3rd party addons either.

Why not in Program Files?  As long as the registry is correct what difference does it make?  Being a tech myself, I can see how problems would arise if it's not where it should be.  Less so on the PC vs the Mac these days but still.

 

Not to mention that when he needs to find it, or install other items, not being in the default location will make it harder on him.

 

But I am curious as to why you recommened another location.

I went from XP to 7 (64-bit) about three years ago and this is what I diid:

 

1. Backed up my entire FS9 folder in XP

2. Installed FS9 and 9.1 update into the standard directory

3. Installed any addons I had (primarily payware)

4. Once I had all of my programs properly installed, I took my old FS9 folder and copied it over my new installation so I had all of my liveries, etc.

 

I've had this setup since without any issues from the process. I guess you could install in another location, but the standard installation seems to have worked on my end.

Why not in Program Files?  As long as the registry is correct what difference does it make?  Being a tech myself, I can see how problems would arise if it's not where it should be.  Less so on the PC vs the Mac these days but still.

 

Not to mention that when he needs to find it, or install other items, not being in the default location will make it harder on him.

 

But I am curious as to why you recommened another location.

 

Windows 7 treats the "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" folders as special from a security point of view. You will encounter problems using old software that tries to write to these locations, therefore it is highly recommended that you do not install FS9 into these folders.

Install into the default directory

Set UAC to its lowest level

 

All as per Northwestairlines has done! I also have a backup of FS9 on a portable hard-drive that I use at our VA. I have installed 15-20 times, used the Flight1 registry thingie to reset the registry, all perfect 

I have FS9 (2x versions), FSX (now dumped) & P3D all in their default directories. NEVER a problem or issue.

 

So much rubbish has been parroted out there about where to install, without even trying.

I have Windows 7, 64bit, 4gb ram on a laptop.

Install into the default directory

Set UAC to its lowest level

 

All as per Northwestairlines has done! I also have a backup of FS9 on a portable hard-drive that I use at our VA. I have installed 15-20 times, used the Flight1 registry thingie to reset the registry, all perfect 

I have FS9 (2x versions), FSX (now dumped) & P3D all in their default directories. NEVER a problem or issue.

 

So much rubbish has been parroted out there about where to install, without even trying.

I have Windows 7, 64bit, 4gb ram on a laptop.

 

UAC has a purpose.

As Graeme mentionned, the defaut "program files" path is protected. Some addons have a hard time to access it.

It is advisable to leave off this path, and install anywhere outside.

Of course you can turn UAC off, but don't complain if errors or mishaps occurs.

Dunno about that. My UAC slider has been off since I got Windows 7, about 4 years? Never a problem. Methinks with it off, it gives the same protection as XP did. Microsoft just wants too much control. I have never had an error or mishap. I dont think it actually has a purpose. If it has, I have not found it in all the years I've had W7 installed.

 

So, based on my own experience, install where it is meant to be installed, UAC slider right down.It actually works.

Try it, if it does not work for you, then make another plan. A lot of installers are set up for the default.

UAC is just meant to warn users of potential issues caused by actions not taken by them.  If something is trying to modify something in a protected area UAC will warn the user.  If it's the user that's causing the modification to happen, well, that's what the options presented are for.

 

In this particular case my father will not want to see those messages anyway and I will probably lower the level of UAC.  If not shut it off completely as he only uses this system to fly and not really anything else.

So, migration has been done and most things seem to be working okay.  But, he's telling me that the spoilers on his aircraft do not work.  Using any method.  Mouse, keyboard or CH throttle.

 

Does anyone have ANY idea what might be causing that?

Well, We Told You So...

 

Just kidding! Check that the / and shift+/ key commands are assigned to toggle spoilers and spoilers arm in the Key Assignments menu. They may have been assigned to another function by an addon or driver software during the migration/re-install.

I'll have him check but that wouldn't explain why the mouse wouldn't work when clicking in the area of the panel though.  Or the lever working on the CH product.

 

He says this was working before items were copies back into the FS9 folder from the backup though.  I've never seen this behavior before though when doing this in the past and have no idea what could be causing this one strange item.

The mouse click area is activated by the key assignment for that function, if nothing happens when the spoiler lever moves then that key (/) is unassigned.

Thanks for the help!

 

I'm not 100% sure what fixed things but I was able to get him back on track.  I know he did reassign keys to the spoiler commands but there was more as well.  More to do but back on track now.

 

I may be back...

 

Thanks again!