If any of you guys have windowsXP you might consider doing a "system restore" if you have seriously corrupted something. It's much less draconian than uninstall/reinstall and you're right back where you were a few days before you developed your problem. I've done it once with good results.

Kevin:In answer to your question, as many others have replied, I don't. Of course I too install again if it is a new or updated system or have a HD crash demanding it.You stated that for sure your installation was broken.I do have one back door suggestion in the event that you do decide to reinstall, or with an applicable new installation if that ever becomes necessary. Immediately after installation of FS9, I make backups of all critical files and folders and call them by their original titles with the adder "Original Default" (i.e. "Scenery Original Default.cfg" "Modules.Original Default", "Addon Scenery Original Default", etc. etc.). With this label, they are located next to the active files or folders. You can edit to any name you desire, or for that matter if you are useing CD's or DVD's (FOR BACKUP DEFAULTS ONLY) you can retain original names.Do note that these are backups only for possible future trouble shooting. DO NOT delete the installation files although you can rename them temporarily. Then at troubled times, you can replace your folders and/or fileswith the originals one by one until you find the culprit or culprits. Simply rename your current files to anything that strikes your fancy and remove whatever adder you gave the defaults (in my case "original default").Granted, there is a trial and error procedure here, but it has saved me a world of misery when I have installed something that is disagreeable with FS9's temperment.Hope you find your problem with as little pain as possible.Happy Flying:RTH

Never!Peter Sydney Australia

>I am looking at a situation where I am at the point of>reinstalling FS9. I have all my files backed up and ready to>go. It takes some time, but I am expecting to have a cleaner>version after I finish the re-install.>>My question to everyone is how often do you reinstall FS9? >And once you complete the reinstall, do you see an improvement>in performance as apposed to the old installation? If you do>this often, what are your tricks to keep the time down?>>Of to do some reinstalling....:D>>Kevin>>I have been reinstalling about once every year.... not because of mantainance for FS for other computer maintenance ... Vern

Once or twice a day. I've never even played FS9, is it any good? :-lol

Normally every 3-5 weeks for me. That way i get all my un used stuff out, and then i just re install what i want/need.

Like many, once only, when I replaced a hard drive and used the opportunity to do a full reformat and XP reinstall.If the FS9 drive is getting clogged up with `clutter` then all you have to do is remove the clutter. Otherwise it's like buying a replacement car just because the ashtray is full!If you don't know what's causing the clutter - well that's the driver that's gone wrong, not the car!Allcott

not oftenwill have to in 5 months when i get my new rig

Never, life's too short to waste on things like re-installs unless you've got some terminal problem.http://www.dreamfleet2000.com/gfx/images/F...BANNER_PAUL.jpg

A couple of times since originally buying it.I have to admit that I have had to use 'Start/FS2004/Trouble Shooting/Reset Defaults. A few times.A much less hassle than uninstalling and Installing.Dave T. .........On the lovely warm Devon Riviera and active 'FlightSim User's Group' member at http://www.flightsimgrpuk.free-online.co.uk/

Never. I've pulled my motherboard out from under it and replaced it with another, I've pulled the very harddrive out from under FS2002 once (when MOVING FS to another drive which then took over the old drive letter), I've installed a new OS from scratch when the drive Windows was installed on got corrupted, but I've never reinstalled FS since the day FSNavigator left FS2002 so corrupted I couldn't fix it any other way (luckily that was not too long after I first installed FS2002 so it didn't take too long to get back my addons).

Ive only installed it once since original, and then only because I got a new computer. Never have any problems with it... On friends systems, in my opinion they have problems because they are not careful about what they install.Personally, I never install addons or new software until they have been out 6 or more months, and all comments are positive. Also, I never buy a "new" computer or the Latest, and wait until newer versions come out, to buy the previous one, if it has proven reliable. Have been doing that since 1978, and it has saved me many thousands of dollars. Not installing a lot of new software, has saved a LOT of time, and monty.Even when I install new addons, etc.. with XP, I -always- set a new restore point before doing so. Then, if it causes problems, I first uninstall. Run RegistryFix, Spybot, and then go back to the previous restore point. It is just as if the addon never existed on my system. Bob

I finished my update yesterday and I must say there is a huge imporvement overall. The whole reason I was considering reinstalling is because frames were droping on a consistent basis, files were becoming corrupted, etc. It is not that I have a dirty computer, I defrag often, virus scan, etc. It is very clean. I don't even have it connected to the internet. It was due to tinkering with FS and getting in deeper than I should be. I keep all my files backed up, so the reinstall was a breeze.I did some fights after the reinstall and I saw my frame rates at a standard 25! FS loaded faster than ever. It ran perfect. I hope I am not jinxing myself, but I was impressed what fresh FS can do. I also uninstalled FS2002. I had FS2002 loaded because of some addons that needed it. I did not reload those addons. I am using strictly FS9 addons.Anyway, long story short, I am glad I did the reinstall. Worth it as long as you have all your stuff backed up and in order....Kevin

I do it when I need to and right now I need to! Having a sneaky CTD that has been haunting me for months so now after swapping out the MB, AGP card, a few hard drives, it's time to investigate the software side. So I am reinstalling as we speak. A couple of nice things is has allowed me to do is install Windows SP2 update where before it would slow down my simming. Also load times are a breeze since I have "unclogged" the dozens of planes I've never taken the time to clean out... along with gauges, textures, and so many addons I have tried but never took the time to delete etc. And I am running faster...load times, and now I am able to run at 8x AGP rather than 4x so I have picked up a few more FPS. So for me it is worth it.

Cant say ive done anything wrong.Basicly, i reinstall so often so i can get all my un-used gauges, textures, sounds, effect, and aircraft out and start out fresh. It speeds up fs a good bit. Not to mention load times are faster.