Yup, exact same config files that I keep backed up on my desktop. I thought the same way you do, that FSX would appear to make performance decisions on the fly. For instance as the demanding environment thickens up, other things will dumb down. However I did try it, and it did make a difference. I've found no files that would hold such data, and no registry entries either. If the data does exist, it's in binary format somewhere.

Kev:I appreciate your diplomacy, but just about every version of FS I've ever purchased ran well about a year after it was released, suspiciously coincidental with advances in hardware: CPUs, GPUs, etc. Tweaks always play an important part, and a few people here spend a lot of time and take a few risks so that the rest of us may benefit -I am always greatful when I read their posts, apply there suggestions and they work, and I thank them for it. But there is a lot wrong with this one. I hear it from gamers, I hear it from computer company technicians, and I read about it in these forums. Will I buy it? Well, no, I was given a copy at the AVSIM convention. Will I install it? probably. Will I tweak it, of course, that is part of the fun. But so is flying the sim itself, so this time I won't spend nearly as much time messing about with it as I have in the past, I'll be flying. Just my two cents.....http://www.my-buddy-icon.com/Icons/objects/red_3d_plane.gifAlex ChristoffN562ZBaltimore, MD

I've ran several versions of FS on release day and never had that many problems running them. Yes, they were fairly taxing, but I've always been up to date and current with my PC, with no parts being more than a year or so old... and those parts being top-of-the-line when they are purchased. I'm into gaming, always have been, always will be. I'm an IT professional by day, which is why I can afford to keep it updated the way I have over the years. I'm on the verge of updating again, but hesitant until DX10 hardware is more expansive.Just wanting to make sure you realize that I'm not just some crazy whacked out kid with a stupid idea or two.

We heard you, but this one I don't think it is going to work. What would you think. If the code is so sloppy, you think MS would put in the extra effort to code the logic making the sliders for each machine?

They don't have to have different code for every piece of hardware.... the logic is easy, even easier to implement. Okay, so FSX is a well refined simulator that is optimized for tomorrows technology. I'll join the club and help ACES validate taking their sweet time in a full response, whether a fix, or at least an annoucement of a fix. It's a lot easier to agree with the masses and destroy the right that we consumers have.

Hi Kev,I'm sure we all appreciate the effort you are investing in trying to provide an answer. Thank you!My worry surrounds this 'patch/update' on which, apparently, we are all pinning our hopes. Speaking as one who is currently quite happy with his XP Home setup, I suspect I won't be rushing to install Vista, DirectX 10 et al. That being the case, I'm afraid I'm likely to be one of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, who lose out, at least in the short term, for say a year or two. Assuming it is actually going to happen, Aces may have decided to delay the release of an update until after Vista appears on the shelves. I say this because I suspect any further development effort is likely to be geared towards making this sim shine while running under Microsoft's new flagship o/s and the then available DX10 compatible graphics hardware. Reading between the lines, I don't think this has ever been a secret. Problem is, where does that leave the rest of us? Are we going to be stuck with what we have with no prospect of a performance enhancing update? If this scenario does become a reality and we who are still running under XP are ignored, then we are likely to see a storm of protest which will make the recent outbursts on these forums seem quite trivial by comparison. I'm sure no one would wish to see this happen again, least of all Microsoft/ACES.My hope, of course, is that my fears are totally ill-founded and that those fundamental issues that are presently dragging this sim down, and spoiling the experience for so many, are identified, corrected and incorporated in any update which can be enjoyed by all, XP and Vista users alike.For so many years I have remained faithful to the Flight Simulator franchise. I am trusting that this loyalty is deserving of appropriate recognition and is not just simply being treated as an irrelevance.Like you, Kev, I feel passionately that now that FSX has been released, Microsoft/ACES have a duty to provide support in every way they can by listening to and acting upon those genuine concerns expressed by the sim's huge user base. It's no good saying they are moving on and are now concentrating on the 'next project'. The current project is undoubtedly very impressive, but remains unfinished, and certainly deserves more time and further effort to make it truly great.Mike

Thanks Mike, you have absolutely nailed some of my own feelings in there. If FSX is indeed disbanding all support for current hardware and even the O/S, they are basically setting themselves up for a massive headache. So many people will want to stay with XP while Vista proves itself in the field, limiting good performance to Vista only was a bad choice, and I'm 100% sure they can and will fix it.It's not that I have anything against ACES, I'm actually very fond of the team behind this simulator. But like everything else these days, a good team is fronted by red tape and corporate anxieties and doesn't always get to do the job the way they want. Aces is a good group, and I believe that they will come through... however if everyone just nods their head and settles for barely acceptable quality/performance, it just gives them (the corporate managers) all the more reason to move on and forget about us.

Like what I said, install it on Bill's computer and let him fly!.JohanA LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION, AND A LITTLE MORE ACTION PLEASE.."The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one - but still they come!"Ulla!

heh, everyone knows that the devil cannot fly :) He had his wings clipped... remember :)hehehep.s. & disclaimer: No I don't actually hate Bill... I'm just agreeing with the majority :) (snicker!)