On 2/5/2026 at 4:42 PM, chris_eve said:

But what are your resolution settings in FS2004 itself?

Choose "Settings | Display | Hardware" from your FS2004 start-up screen and change it there 😉 

Hi, I tried with three different PCs, but there's nothing to do. I don't understand why, but maybe it depends on the fact that I installed FS2004 in Win7, when it should be Win XP? The result is always the same for every resolution!

Sorry, I don't understand your "there's nothing to do" statement.

I've got FS2004 installed in XP, W10 and W11 with no problem and until a couple of weeks ago W7 as well, but the system board died in that machine, so I no longer have a W7 reference 😞

chris_eve

This means that whatever resolution I choose doesn't apply to fs9, meaning there are no changes. Now I'd like to buy a PC with Win 10 installed, but I'm not sure if fs2004 will run as well as it does with Win 7. Which version of Win 10 will be best for fs2004? I know there are several, both 32-bit and 64-bit. What do you think?

43 minutes ago, chiastra said:

chris_eve

This means that whatever resolution I choose doesn't apply to fs9, meaning there are no changes. Now I'd like to buy a PC with Win 10 installed, but I'm not sure if fs2004 will run as well as it does with Win 7. Which version of Win 10 will be best for fs2004? I know there are several, both 32-bit and 64-bit. What do you think?

I think whatever version of Windows makes no difference at all ... I've used XP, W7, W10 32bit and 64bit and W11 64bit and the only noticeable difference is in the load time due to the speed of the hard drive.

Obviously you've got symptoms I've never encountered, so my opinions and experience are probably of no relevance whatsoever.

Good luck.

11 hours ago, chiastra said:

This means that whatever resolution I choose doesn't apply to fs9, meaning there are no changes

If what I understand from you is correct, the problem is a monitor. Can you borrow a modern one (one that is 16:9) or try using a modern TV as monitor and see if the issue still happens?

11 hours ago, chiastra said:

Now I'd like to buy a PC with Win 10 installed, but I'm not sure if fs2004 will run as well as it does with Win 7

It's 2026, I'm not sure you can get a PC with Windows 10, unless you get an used one. All new ones come with 11. Anyway, I run FS9 in a Win11 laptop, without any issues.

11 hours ago, chiastra said:

Which version of Win 10 will be best for fs2004? I know there are several, both 32-bit and 64-bit. What do you think?

64 bit, definitely. Unlike the XP/Vista days, now there aren't any advantages of running a 32-bit OS anymore.

Thanks to all of you, I also actually think the problem lies in the monitor's format. As for the operating system, here in Italy there's still the option of having Win10, as there are companies that remanufacture it. As for my plane, I think I'll have to throw it in the trash. But the avsim forum is proving to be very good. Let's hope it doesn't die out like the flightsim forum. Talk to you later. Andrea

Luis,

 

Not sure if this will solve your very specific instrument problem but I've been using a modern flat screen TV as monitor for many years, together with my desk top Win7 PC. The TV is connected via a HDMI cable directly from my video card and another advantage of this setup is that the TV has own (extra) colour/contrast adjustment possibilities.

I would propose that you give this a try yourself, just to be sure.

Greetings and regards.

Hans

Thanks Hans. However, I'm not the one with the problem but @chiastra. Thank you for explaining better my solution.

To Chiastra, can you try as Hans did and see if your JS31 works?

For Hernandez and Hans J. I think Hans J. is right. The problem with that plane is that I use a 4:3 monitor. But its panel was designed for 16:9. Unfortunately, I have no way to test it with the correct monitor format, but I did find the right solution from the forum. Although I can't apply it yet, the product description on the site where I purchased it should have mentioned 16:9. Luckily, it was almost given away; in fact, it only costs €6.10. Amen

Ciao

 

 

 

On 2/4/2026 at 3:00 AM, chiastra said:

Finally, virtualcol replied and sent me a link where I could download a version of the aircraft that should be compatible with FS2004. I downloaded and installed it, but nothing changed. The panel was still distorted! Fortunately, the aircraft was inexpensive, but I'm disappointed because it was a nice aircraft, within the limits of FS2004. My 4:3 monitor has several possible resolutions, but I can't say which one is native. However, I think the issue with the 16:9 panel should have been disclosed: I wouldn't have bought it. Redoing a panel is only for professionals, and that's not my case.  Bye

 

Only for professionals? wow. It is as simple as loading the image into PSP or Photoshop, and adjusting the pixels to whatever ratio you desire. 

Edited February 27Feb 27 by PebbleBeach

Thank PebbleBeach for your answer

Is it possible with FSPanel Studio ?

On 2/28/2026 at 8:40 AM, chiastra said:

Thank PebbleBeach for your answer

Is it possible with FSPanel Studio ?

I doubt it. FSPanel studio is used to add/position gauges once you have your bitmap in the correct resolution/ratio. FSPanel Studio is an excellent program for FS9.

If FSPanel can change the bitmap ratio then that's news to me. I can probably help you if need be.

Edited March 2Mar 2 by PebbleBeach

You're right, FS Studio can only add tools, but it can't change the background. I'll have to put up with the distorted panel.

On 3/3/2026 at 3:54 AM, chiastra said:

You're right, FS Studio can only add tools, but it can't change the background. I'll have to put up with the distorted panel.

No. PM me your bitmap and let me see what I can do.

On 2/11/2026 at 9:31 AM, chiastra said:

Let's hope it doesn't die out like the flightsim forum.

Where the heck did you get that idea from? If you read their home page explaining the reason for the temporary outage, you will see:

Forums will remain the heart of the site

John