I am considering reinstalling XP and FS9 in order to create a clean copy of my OS on an external hard drive that I have just purchased. I know I should copy all my personal files before doing so, but what do you guys recommend when it comes to FS9? Which folders and files ought to be copied in order to avoid reinstalling EVERYTHING? I have a number of aircraft and scenery add-ons. Thanks for any advice!

The only answer I can give is - fresh start with FS9, or copy your FS9 folder as it is - have u enough room somewhere.Install XP, install FS9 and this will put the details in the registry and installs the other folders FS9 uses (there is a prog somewhere that does this for u in the reg if you are moving FS9 folders around without installing).You could partition the dsk and put your folder there then use the other partition to reinstall OS, FS9 etc.Delete the folder you have just installed and put the one u saved in its place, and see what works and what does't . If you have a lot of payware scenery or payware planes etc they may not work as they have to be installed their way.What I do because I have a external drive - I install something then make a copy of that original folder, have done this with FS9,GTR,GTL, etc. Also have a folder copy with the FS9 update on it. A lot of this depends on the room u have and of course - money.If things go wrong I try the orig and update as necessary. There are all different ways to do it.

Ive learned the hard way its best to do a fresh fs9 reinstal then reinstal all your addons as opposed to trying to copy them from the old install.For ex copying your old aircraft,gauges folders over.Most addons add alot of files,dlls ect that can be spread around,hidden and if something is missing,out of place or some detect suspicious activity can really screw up your system.I always kept my addons in a separate,payware folder I created and another with my "keys". I always saved my confirmation emails with keys,codes,passwords ect when I bought them so reloading them is sped up.So my advice is to always keep all your payware in a separate folder outside fs9 and copy it to your other harddrive.

I would just add that after I had to do fresh installs on my computer and my son's computer (from OS on up), I purchased a couple of licenses for Acronis TrueImage and I've never looked back.Once I got everything just the way I wanted it and before anything could get corrupted, I created a full image and put it on another hard drive. Then I set up incremental images to update on a daily basis.With the full image, I need never have to worry about reinstalling tons of apps, settings, and tweaks again.It's been a godsend more than once since then. Norton also sells its Ghost program which does the same thing.Cheers,PD

Everyone has their own way of doing it - its for u to choose.

Thanks very much, Denis, Jimjam and Odaat. You've given me lots of excellent advice in my attempt to reinstall FS9 and XP. I haven't done it yet though, I'm still copying the files and folders I must have! :-)