Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler - Clean Install of Windows

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | PC Support | Clean Install of Windows - Need help from the PC Gurus!

DVA1933
Senior Captain, B727-200

Joined on September 19 2004
Triple Century Club

Monterrey, NL Mexico

357 legs, 860.4 hours
72 legs, 132.3 hours online
255 legs, 668.3 hours ACARS
1 legs, 1.9 hours event

Posted onPost created on August 08 2010 12:28 ET by David Eugenio Gomez

This week I'm going to whipe out my hard drive and install Windows XP clean. After 4 years of not doing a full reinstall of my OS, my PC is EXTREMELY slow, it takes 5 - 10 minutes just to load Windows. Sadly, it'll also take forever to reinstall all my stuff, including FS9...

Since it's years' worth of software installation (pretty outdated), I'm looking for some input on what programs/drivers/versions of software I should be looking at. For example:

1) Forceware Drivers: right now I have the 175.16 version, and I'm happy with it, but should I upgrade to something newer?
2) nHancer: what version runs with what drivers version? I read that drivers above the 200 Forceware Series won't work with nHancer.
3) Are there any compatibility issues with XP SP3 and FS or its addons?
4) Are there any programs you guys recommend me to put in a clean install of Windows?

My old and busted rig:
- Pentium 4 @ 3.0 Ghz HT FSB800 Mhz
- 1 GB DDR RAM
- 250 GB SATA HD
- GeForce 8500GT 512MB Shared Memory
- Onboard Sound
- 450W PSU

I'll appreciate any help from you guys... thanks!

David Eugenio Gomez (DVA1933)

DVA1763
Senior Captain, B757-200

Joined on June 29 2004
Everett 250 Club
Online Six Century Club
Seven Century Club
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary

Oklahoma City, OK

723 legs, 2,015.0 hours
645 legs, 1,824.0 hours online
585 legs, 1,608.7 hours ACARS
10 legs, 44.8 hours event
740 legs, 2,044.9 hours total

Posted onPost created on August 08 2010 13:25 ET by Steve Pickle

I recommend this guide for setting up and tweaking XP SP3 for FS use. It's amazing.

http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=31916&PID=183578#183578

Steve Pickle (DVA1763)

DVA3535
Senior Captain, B737-800
OLP

Joined on September 10 2006
US Coastal Club
Million Mile Club
Flying Colonel
Safari Club
50 State Club
Online Fifteen Century

Northeastern United States

1,959 legs, 3,746.6 hours
1,560 legs, 2,931.2 hours online
1,946 legs, 3,720.6 hours ACARS
7 legs, 12.2 hours event

Posted onPost created on August 09 2010 11:58 ET by Clarke Duarte

I installed and ran through the whole procedure, and it went fine. Now my old fs2004 can use my 3gs of ram. No more halts to install scenery or aircraft updates. Much faster and smoother.

Clarke Duarte

Senior Captain, B737-800

Posted onPost created on August 09 2010 17:59 ET by David Eugenio Gomez

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks Steve!

I followed those directions, and so far, there's no problem...

David Eugenio Gomez (DVA1933)

For flight simulation purposes only. Not a commercial website. In no way are we affiliated with Delta Air Lines, its affiliates, or any other airline. All logos, images, and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. Delta Virtual Airlines is a non-profit entity engaged in providing an avenue for flight simulation enthusiasts.