I Hate PC World

have other things to do with my life and am quite happy with the overall performance from the thing out of the box.

Ditto – couldn’t agree more.

I understand what you mean about graphics. However, a better graphics card & CPU may allow more, or more complicated, objects & effects to become visible, which may be hidden on lesser models. As to accuracy, I’ve already agreed on that.

You can adjust the sound level differences between various effects – engine noise, for instance, can be raised or lowered as you require. Also, by default, my sound settings were at “low” quality – changing it to “high” has made a significant difference. So maybe a little tweaking is okay? 😉

(Alt (if in full screen mode)/options/settings/sound)

Clearly reinstalling/reformating is not something to be taken lightly & I would not even advocate it as a last resort under XP, if FS2004 doesn’t run there is a hardware problem that needs addressing and reinstalling the OS once an item has been changed is not necessary. I found replacing my graphics card (which wasn’t supported) and CDRW/DVD combi (which needed changing anyway) worked for me.

Not really much I can add Damien. Different video cards have different effects systems, and what works on one make, might not work on another. It might be worth investigating what switches can be turned on, and which should be turned off for your particular card.

Of course, we have to realise that cgi from a desktop PC is not going to compete with real life for a long time yet. I went to Silicon Graphics a few years ago and they had a marvelous wide screen system. But imv it still couldn’t compete with the RAF’s Jaguar simulator up at Lossie for accuracy of detail (even though it was only visible through a tiny monitor in front of the hud). The Jag sim used a camera flying over a massive model. That was in the mid ’70’s. Its a matter of you pays your money and takes your choice, I’m afraid.

Instead of the DTT3500, try using the digital out on the Live! to a more accurate & powerful digital audio amplifier & speaker system. You’ll be sure to notice differences then, I’m sure. Digital sound can sound more subdued than analogue, because of it’s wider dynamic range, and its a matter of adding greater amplification to compensate (just be careful of those peaks, which could be much louder than analogue). Again, it’s a matter of what you can afford really. After all, the Soundblaster kit isn’t really all that sonically accurate.

Damien

The Extra 300 sounds like the real thing when rolling along the runway, if a bit quiet, but it doesn’t roll as fast as it should do, you can’t pull enough G and it doesn’t have the vroom-vroom roar when you blip the throttle. Bah humbug. FS 2020 might get it right at this rate…

Doesnt have Denny as a pilot either.:D

PS Getting nervous yet??

UK scenery is as crap

Agreed – No Drakes Island in Plymouth Sound, for instance – no breakwater, either – and no lighthouse!

I cannot comment on the flight model, not having a real world frame of reference.

However, what graphics card are you using? Also, what sound card & speaker set?

For sound I use a SoundBlaster Live! & DTT3500 Dolby Digital speaker set – which can generate high volumes if required.

I didn’t get a new version since FS98, so I do see a few differences. The Robinson (while not exactly of interest to this forum, I know) rocks! I love the way dust and dirt is thrown up by the rotors, for instance.

Sorry Pimpernel, perhaps I should explain.

I’m a PC & PC Network Support Technician (having moved on from being a telepop).

Incidentally, if anyone is interested in helping out XH558, and needs any computer components, or a network setting up, then please get in touch.

I know it’s not much, but we’re offering 2% on sales to TVOC (or whoever they are now) on all purchases to those who use the affiliation links at http://www.ramms.co.uk

We might be prepared to do somewhat better than that for them on the sale of services – such as Computer Network Management, Installation, implementation and support.

All you have to do is say.

Cheers,

RobAnt.

If that doesn’t work, I think I’ll have to fit a different video card, Voodoo cards are no longer supported.

To be sure that this is the problem and before shelling out more money on something not needed. Have you checked the amount of RAM on your PC & does it match up with the requirements?

Sometimes not enough RAM will not let you load a game when the PC falls short of RAM.

Only a thought..

BP.
😎 😎 😎

[QUOTE]Originally posted by aj_march
[B]Ach, my Dad refuses to buy a new comp, stuck on a P2 300MHz!!!!!! Saving up for a nice shiny new Athlon XP2800+ though which will run it beautifully, look forward to flying circuits online with you peeps! 😀

If you are after good downloads for any of the Microsoft flight sims try:

www.simviation.com

It has good categories to help find what you are after, and some lovely planes – look out for Alain d’Homme, some really lovely models actually look like Microsoft has done them, spinning wheels, clear cockpit with proper pilot etc. His Spitfire is a definite winner! Also there is a 15MB B-52 and a 22MB Dakota, fly as pilot or first officer. A good tip is to get the bigger downloads as they are usually better. Broadband is an advantage for those who are impatient :p

We regularly meet up for a scrap on-line. in gamezone. Normally around Game 50, called FLYPAST….for some strange reason. Watch this space for the dog fight…probably next weekend, Firday or saturday evening around 21.00 hrs

Haven’t been able to get it working on my PIII/800mhz with 3DFX Voodoo 5500 video card yet 🙁 – I don’t think it likes my Memorex CDRW drive, which is a little old – so will get a new DVD-CDRW drive tomorrow (it desparately needs updating anyway, it’s too old and slow).

If that doesn’t work, I think I’ll have to fit a different video card, Voodoo cards are no longer supported.

On my 1gig laptop it works but the inbuilt SiS video card has to be run in software mode. Graphics very low res and jerk like mad, making it unflyable.

Direct X 9 required. 9.0a is included, but 9.0b is out now, so you might want to update it on-line.

let us know what its like…FS2004… I wont be getting it until I am back in the UK. Probably be an early x-mas pressie to myself.

I see already AlphaSim are doing 2004 downloads !!!