Hi,

I just purchased MS Flight Simulator 2004 and a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick. In the middle of the flight lesson, the controls become unresponsive. I've done the Logitech Calibrations, reduced the screen resolution, closed down other programs-none of which fixed the problem. I think I know the answer, but would appreciate some confirmation.

Below is a screencap of Task Manager with Flight Simulator booted up:



From what I see, memory is not the issue. It is probably the Video card. The program says it needs a 8 megabyte 3-D video card. Mine is an NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro.

With all the advances in new computers, I hate to put a lot of money into this 6 year old clunker. Could anybody recommend a bargain-priced card or other inexpensive solution which would permit me to operate this game?

Also, I have Windows XP Home edition, but have not yet loaded it. Would this help?

Thanks in advance,

Jimbo

PS: My hardware scan follows

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OS Information:
PropertyValue
OS Name Microsoft Windows 2000

Professional|C:\WINDOWS|\Device\Harddisk0\Partitio n1
Service Pack 4.0
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS


Processor:
PropertyValue
Current Clock Speed 1700
Description x86 Family 15 Model 0 Stepping 10
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Name Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1700MHz


Memory (RAM):
PropertyValue
Bank Label RAS 0 & 1
Capacity 268435456

Bank Label RAS 2 & 3
Capacity 268435456

Total Memory Deteced in Hardware: ~512 MB
Memory Reported to Operating System: 511MB

Disk Drives:
PropertyValue
Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model SAMSUNG SV6004H
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Size 60052769280 (~56 GB)
Number of Partitions 2

Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model WDC WD600BB-00CAA1
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Size 60022480896 (~56 GB)
Number of Partitions 1


Installed Printers:
PropertyValue
Name Fax
Port Name MSFAX:
Driver Name Windows NT Fax Driver

Name Canon BJC-2000
Port Name LPT1:
Driver Name Canon BJC-2000


Motherboard:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Micro-Star Inc.
Model
Name Base Board
Part Number
Product MS-6534
Serial Number 00000000
Version 100


BIOS:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer American Megatrends Inc.
Name Default System BIOS
Release Date 20010814******.******+***
Version Version 1.00


Monitor:
PropertyValue
Description Plug and Play Monitor
Name Plug and Play Monitor
Screen Height 768
Screen Width 1024


Keyboard:
PropertyValue
Description Logitech HID-Compliant Keyboard

Description HID Keyboard Device


Pointing Device:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Logitech
Name HID-compliant Cordless Mouse

Manufacturer Microsoft
Name HID-compliant mouse


Sound Card:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Creative Technology Ltd.
Description Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit
Device ID PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0007&SUBSYS_10061102&REV_00\4&172 A2BDD&0&10F0


Video Card:
PropertyValue
Adapter Compatibility NVIDIA
Adapter RAM 33554432
Description NVIDIA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro
Installed Display Drivers nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version 5.13.01.1241
Driver Date 5/17/2001 3:23:42 PM
Video Mode Description 1024 x 768 x 4294967296 colors


DirectX Installation:
PropertyValue
Version 6.03.01.0148


Modem:
PropertyValue

Network Adapters:
PropertyValue
Description Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC
Description RAS Async Adapter
Description WAN Miniport (L2TP)
Description WAN Miniport (PPTP)
Description Direct Parallel
Description WAN Miniport (IP)
Description WAN Miniport (IPX)
Description Terayon Cable Modem (NDIS 5)
Description WAN Miniport (Network Monitor)

External Ports:
PropertyValue
External Reference Designator Def

Expansion Slots:
PropertyValue
Slot Designation PCI1
Slot Designation PCI2
Slot Designation PCI3
Slot Designation AGP
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I emailed Micro-Star Tech Support with the following request:

I have purchased MS Flight Simulator 200 which needs a minimum 8 megabyte 3-d video card to operate properly. Could you please advise me on compatibility issues with bios/motherboard and perhaps recommend an inexpensive card which would provide adequater performance. Thanks, jim

Their reply to me is as follows:

The on board VGA can not support this kind of game requirement which add on AGP video card does. • One AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 4x (1.5V only) NOTE : The AGP slot DOES NOT support 3.3V AGP 2x card. Use of 3.3V AGP 2x card may cause damages to the mainboard. To identify the spec of your AGP card, refer to the documentation supplied with the AGP card or check the view of its contact pins (golden fingers) before you install it.

If I understand this correctly, I purchase an AGP 4x 1.5v 8 magabyte 3=d card. I then uninstall and remove the old one (top slot in the motherboard, right?) Then I install the new one and it's drivers.

Here is your motherboard:

http://www.msicomputer.com/product/d...pec/MS6534.htm

One AGP 4X slot. (AGP 4X Video Card Only)

Most new cards are 8X/4X. In most cases this means that the card, although capable of 8X, will only run at 4X. (aka: backwards compatibility).

As to installation you are correct. Also remove the old drivers before removing the old card.