Firstly I am relatively new to these forums so hope this is posted in the right area.Having downloaded my files I then carefully read through the Readme file before proceeding to install. Most of the aircraft I install work absolutely fine. However, I have had one or two problems lately that I cannot work out. Yesterday I tried to install a Moach Boeing 737-700 (737exp11.zip). Having read through the Readme file with care I then unzipped the files into the FS9 main aircraft folder and then moved all 3 .fx files into the main effects folder. I didn't get as far as to deal with the gauges as I first wanted to see that the aircraft was visible in FS9. I started the game and there was no Moach aircraft there at all. The files were indeed visible in the aircraft folder but they did not unzip into one neat folder, (ie all files inside one folder carrying the aircraft name) but instead as 7 or 8 individual files. I then tried to move them into a newly named folder so that they were all together but after moving them they were all empty files. Even worse, I tried to delete these now empty files in order to start again and an "access denied" warning appeared. I had to restore the HDD just to remove them. I then tried again, this time without moving the files into one folder and just left them as they were, as 7 or 8 separate files in the FS9 aircraft folder. Still no aircraft!Along with this I have noticed lately, an increasing number of zip files that, when moved from one folder to another, become empty files and I am then unable to delete them. Instead I get the "Access Denied, Make sure the disk is not full or right protected..." warning. Even an unlocker tool will not delete these files. They are really stubborn.Unfortunately I do not know half as much about files as many of you on here. However, I do know that I did everything that the Readme file asked and it did not work. Is there anything I can do differently? Is the 'empty folder' issue connected in some way? Why do I keep finding good files, when moved or copied to another folder, ending up as empty files?I know that with the considerable knowledge and expertise out there someone will have the answer.Thank you in advance.Scratch1964

Hi Scratch,I just downloaded the file 737exp11.zip to see what it looks like, and I don't understand it either. The instructions seem to be lacking. As I see it, if you unzip "into the FS aircraft folder", you'll end up with everything scattered all over the place.I believe the correct way would be to unzip into a temporary folder that you create. You could name the folder "B737-700", or whatever you like. After unzipping to this folder, drag and drop the "B737-700" folder into the FS aircraft folder. All the pieces should be in one place now. Next, run FS to see if the B737 shows up. If so, then finish the installation (move the fx files, etc.). If you're running FS2004, I think the gauges can be left as is. I'm still using FS2002, so don't know all of the rules.If I'm wrong, I'm sure that some kind soul will set me (and you) straight. Good luck! Let us know if you get it working. Regards,JerryH

Hi Scratch,let me try to add my two cents worth since I made mistakes like this all the time and I'm sure you're going to get some good answers if this does not work.Sometimes a particular plane may not be compatible with a particular MSFS and it won't show. However if you are sure it is compatible then as Jerry mentioned, unzip to a junk folder which is not directly to your FS folder. Check the readme. If it says unzip direct to FS folder you can ,...BUT>>>You don't know for sure that everything went where it was suppose to. (I am still finding stuff in strange areas of my computer.) Don't worry becuse you can put everything where it is suppose to go if you pay attention and take your time. Be patient so if you mess up you can clean up:-)After you unzip to your junk folder( Mine is called "FS JUNK" because the tutorial that taught me said to do it:-0 What a good idea!)and make sure you check the box "USE FOLDER Names". Most of the time it will create correct locations in separate folders for things that are suppose to be together if the author is kind.After the file is unzipped go to your JUNK folder.Hopefully you will see one folder or individually named folder within a folder. If not you are going to have to make folders and put the pieces in. but this doesn't happen ofter because authors must know I'm out here and they are merciful to me.:-)Okay, time to concentrate. In order to see any aircraft you are going to need a model file and a model config file. If you don't have one I don't think the plane is going to show. All aircraft I have to include the AI aircraft have this. Make sure you see it before you copy to your aircraft folder. If you find you have these item then you look for an "air file" ,an "Aircraft Config file" and if you have them your half way home.With these 3 items you will have a plane in your FS aircraft line-up but all it does is sit there spinning ain all of it's naked glory. It screams for attention!Okay, we haven't got that far yet.You are looking for a "texture" folder, a "sound" folder, and a "panel" folder if this is a "flyable" aircraft. All of these hopefully are in one folder. Okay, we have a plane we think is going to show. Copy it to your c:ms games/fs*/aircraft folder. STOP!! Close everthing and start the sim. Is it there? Hope you said "yes" because I'm starting to fell insecure. Okay, it is there. Close the sim. you have work to do.Back to the junk folder. Next thing if there is a panel has to be guages. If you forget them you are going to be horrified and probably throw up a kidney.Sometimes you look in a guge folder and you see billions of things to include thousands of zip files. DO NOT UNZIP THEM!!! They are called "cabs" And I have absolutely no idea why are what for. I do know that they like hanging out together. Open the folder, copy them all to c:msgames/FS*/GAUGE. Now go to the sound folder and open it. If you see wav files, copy all to C:msgames/FS*/SOUND. If all you see is a "sound config" put it in your C:msgames/FS*/aircraft/*your plane* folder.Start FS. Choose your plane. Go fly!!!Now for the disclaimer. I have no idea if I covered everything. nor do I claim to be positive if this works, BUT...I have three heroes.David "OPA" Marshall who gives us "Tips & Tricks", And Patrick Finch who gave us "fs9tutor.zip and fs9tutorup.zip, f9jets.zip (both in AVSIMS libray) and Andrew Herd has an exellent tutorial at Flightsim.com. Then, there are many good tutorials and only everybody who may know more than I do on this subject. When all else fails, email the author:-)Sorry for the mispelled words and bad typing, and I hope this helps a littleDon't confuse "MODULE" folders with "models". If you have "EFFECTS they go wherevere the authore says they do. Best regardsJan1,KINDWhen I push the button and it works, I'm happy:-)

When you open Winzip you can see where it's going to put the files by checking the column headed 'Path'. This shows the folders that it will create within the folder you select.In any event, I still unzip the files into a temporary folder to see what I've got. If the folders in there look OK I will then move them into the FS9 folders. This makes sure I don't get files scattered all over my hard disk.

Just a small "correction"... it is fine for the aircraft to have it's own Sound folder which contains both the Sound.cfg file and the WAV files. No need to move them to the FS9/Sound folder.Likewise, you can now have Gauge files in the Aircraft/Panel folder. This tends to keep them nicely in one place, but they cannot then be accessed by other planes.

Thanks, Bert! That is why I like this forum. I did not know this was possible. Now things seem easier to control for me in the way of trouble shooting and staying neat. I appreciate your info.Best regardsJan1,KINDWhen I push the button and it works, I'm happy:-)