FS2004 - Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of computer do I need to run FS2004?
- Minimum: Windows PC with 450 MHz CPU, 128 MB RAM, 1.8 GB hard drive space, DirectX 9.0 or later and 8 MB graphics card.
- Comfortable: 2.8+ GHz CPU, 1024 MB RAM, 256 MB graphics card, joystick.

Where can I get the pro version of FS2004?
- Unlike FS2002, there is no pro version.

Where is the config file?
- If Windows XP is installed on your C: drive, it is located here: C:\Documents and Settings\<your logon name>\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9\ For Windows 9x users: C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9 . Make sure you have "Show hidden files and folders" on, fs9.cfg is a hidden file.

Where are my flight files and recorded flights stored?
- If Windows is installed on your C: drive, it is located here: C:\Documents and Settings\your logon name\My Documents\Flight Simulator Files\ . For Windows 9x users: C:\My Documents\Flight Simulator Files\

I messed up the FS9.cfg file, can it be repaired?
- Yes, delete it and FS will create a new one when you start FS. Or just hold <CONTROL> and <SHIFT> while loading FS.

What are frame rates?
- Frame rate is the number of frames or images that are projected or displayed per second. The frame rate directly relates to the perceived smoothness of the virtual experience. 25 - 30 frames per second are about the same as you see a movie on TV. It all depends on your system specs and the add-ons you've installed and the performance settings of FS2004. There are two important hardware parts that are responsible for the frame rate: CPU speed (and also CPU type) and your graphics card. While you are flying, in the background your pc is working to process all the data. Higher processing speed means better frame rates, so in general, the more GHz, the better. More than one cpu like dual core and quad cores can process more data, but unfortunately, FS2004 uses only one core. A graphics card with a lot memory and own CPU works great, because it makes the job of the main CPU of your pc a lot easier. The RAM in your pc (not video RAM) doesn't have much to do with the frame rates. On the other hand, a lot RAM is capable of loading more of your scenery at once. That way there is no need to load data from your hard disk all the time, decreasing the stutters while flying.

How do I know my current frame rate?
- Press <SHIFT> + <Z> twice. Press twice again to get rid of it.

What is the target frame rate in the hardware display settings?
- With that, you can lock the frame rate.

It is said that: for example, you lock it at 25 fps, then the framerate will not exceed 25 frames per second. Why would anyone do that? Well, when you have locked the framerate, the computer will have more processing power for other processes, like the weather, AI traffic, etc. This will make FS2004 run more efficient, so you the overall flight sim expirience will be better. Ofcourse, this is only relevant if your pc is capable of generating more frames per second than you've set the limit to.

However, many people doens't seem to experience any positive effect of the frame rate lock and use the 'unlimited' setting instead. It's up to you.

Why do I have lower frame rates than my friend with the exact same pc?
- If you both have the same scenery, aircraft and other add-ons, it is most likely that the difference is due to background processes. Software like winamp, firewalls, TV cards or others may load when you start windows. Most of them place an icon on the right-bottom of your desktop. If you want the maximum performance for FS on your system, unload or disable all the background tasks. If you fly in the single player mode, try to disable your firewall (and with that your network connection!), it may give you some extra performance.

Does FS2004 support multi-core processors like the dual and quad core cpu's?
- FS2004 will run perfectly on a dual or quad core system, but it will use only one of the 2 or 4 cores. The most recent edition of Flight Simulator, FSX, will use all available cores. With that in mind, you have to think about which version you will use (or use most of the time). Since FS2004 doesn't use all cores, it's better to choose a cpu with a higher speed. For example, FS2004 will run faster on a dual core 3.0Ghz than on a quad core 2.6Ghz. However, FSX will run much faster on the quad core 2.6Ghz. So it just depends on which version you prefer.

Some people believe you can force FS2004 to use all cores. You can reset the affinity of fs9.exe in the Windows Task Manager. It goes like this: Start a flight in FS2004. Change to windowed mode (not fullscreen). Press CONTROL + ALT + DELETE at the same time. Now the Windows Task Manager will show. Go to the tab "Processes" and look for fs9.exe on the right side (Image name). Select fs9.exe, right-click on it and choose "Set Affinity...". Uncheck all but one CPU (for example with a dual core, uncheck CPU 1 and leave CPU 0 checked). Press OK. Now select fs9.exe again and right-click on it and choose "Set Affinity..." for the second time. Now check all cpu's (for example with a dual core, check both CPU 0 and CPU 1). Press OK.

Now FS2004 will spread the load over both cpu's (cores). You can check this if you click on the "Performance" tab in the Windows Task Manager. You should see that both cpu's are processing about the same amount of data. But don't think this will increase your performance! It just will spread the load, but there will be no frame rate increase whatsoever.

One note: A multi core cpu has still its advantages over single core cpu's. While one of the cores is processing data for FS2004, the other one can handle other tasks like a firewall, music, browser, etc. So a dual or quad core cpu will slightly increase the performance of FS2004 compared to a single core cpu of the same speed.

When I have installed new scenery, I hate to start up the plane and fly around to check it out, is there another way?
- Yes, press <Y> to enable the slew mode. In the slew mode you can move around by using the arrow keys, numpad keys or joystick. Use <F1> to go down, <F2> to hold current altitude, <F3> to go up or <F4> to go up faster. Now you can check new scenery or follow AI planes or even go through buildings!

Is it possible to see water reflections?
- Yes, go to Settings > Display > Scenery, set terrain detail to "Land Only", set water effects to "High". Depending on your system, it may be a big hit on your frame rate, especially while flying above sea. Set water effects to "None" and terrain detail to "Land & Water" if thats the case.

I've installed an add-on aircraft and it looks really weird in the cockpit mode, like I look down on the ground instead of looking straight forward. Is there a way to adjust the viewpoint?
- Hold <SHIFT> and press <BACKSPACE> or <ENTER> to adjust.

Is it possible to add a virtual cockpit to an aircraft?
- No, not the way you can add a 2d cockpit. The virtual cockpit is part of the 3dmodel. If you want to add a virtual cockpit, you need to know how to design aircraft models.

Is it possible to disable the flying tips?
- Yes, uncheck them in the realism settings (settings > realism).

When I start FS2004, it asks me to put CD 4 in the drive, why?
- It's just a protection system that checks if you have a legal copy. It is normal behaviour of FS2004.

Some planes in my aircraft folder are not in the aircraft selection menu, why?
- It are most likely the AI planes that you can't see in the aircraft selection menu. They simply don't belong in the aircraft menu, because they don't have a panel or sound. Otherwise it might be a problem with the aircraft.cfg file. Check if the [fltsim] entries are right (like [fltsim.0], [fltsim.1], ect). For example, make sure that every [fltsim] entry has a "texture=" line and the texture folder it is pointing to does excist.

Every time when I open the kneeboard, FS crashes. What am I doing wrong?
- Since the kneeboard is using the internet explorer, there is most likely some add-on of the internet explorer conflicting with FS. Try to disable or remove programs like Roboform or Windowblinds. If your firewall blocks popups, try to disable it, that could also be the cause.

FS2004 doesn't work anymore after I installed SP2 for Windows XP. Is there a solution?
- Download the update for FS9 (FS9.1), or contact Microsoft and ask for help.

Is it possible to see damage of an aircraft when I hit something?
- Yes, first be sure to have the crash detection on in the realism settings. Second, check if this line "visual_damage = 1" excists in the aircraft.cfg of every aircraft.

Is it possible to have another default start-up flight than Seattle Tacoma (KSEA)?
- Yes, just safe your flight of choice and make it the default flight. You can do that like this:
Start FS2004.
Go to "C R E A T E A F L I G H T".
Click on "CHANGE..." on the upper right (Selected location).
Select an airport of your choice and click on "OK".
Click on the button "Save Flight...".
Type a title and description (optional).
Check the box "Make this the default flight".
Click on "OK".

Now the next time you start FS2004, the create a flight menu will show the airport you've choosen at the selected location. You can also change the weather and aircraft type along with the airport, it will also become default if you save it as the default flight. If you want to start the default flight somewhere else than the default parking positions at an airport, you have to start a flight and park your aircraft to the desired spot and then save your flight as default flight. You can also save your default flight in mid air.

NOTE: If you save and overwrite the flight "UI Generated Flight" and you check the box "Make this the default flight", FS2004 will remember the last flight you did before you closed FS2004. So if you changed to another aircraft the last time you played FS2004, that aircraft will be the default aircraft for the next time you start FS2004.

How do I remove the annoying brake message from the screen?
- Add the following line to the [SIM] section of the fs9.cfg file:
show_brake_message=0

Aircraft lights and other lights have black squares around them. What to do?
- Common problem with (old) Nvidea graphics cards, download new drivers from their website, that should correct the problem.

I don't see the passenger loading ramps, but I've seen them on screenshots from other people. Is there a way to make them visible?
- Yes, go to settings > display and change the "Scenery Complexity" slider to Very Dense or Extremly Dense. NOTE: The passenger loading ramps are only available on this default airports:
EHAM, PANC, KATL, KORD, KDFW, KDEN, VHHH, KLAS, EGLL, KLAX, KMIA, KJFK, KOSH, LFPG, KPHX, KSFO, KSEA, TNCM, YSSY, RJAA.

What do the codes like KSEA or VHHH mean?
- It are ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) 4-letter airport indentifier codes, that uniquely identify individual airports worldwide. They are used in flight plans to indicate departure, destination and alternate airfields, as well as in other professional aviation publications. The first letter usually identifies the country or region (e.g. for EHAM Europe Holland Amsterdam or ENGM for Europe Norway Gardermoen), although not all codes are that obvious. The last 2 letters are not always directly related to the airport name or town. ICAO airport codes in the USA start with "K", followed by the airport's 3-letter IATA (International Air Transport Association) code. For FS, the ICAO code is the standard.

How is it possible that some people show really smooth and sharp screenshots?
- It may depend on your graphics card, but if you want the highest possible quality for screenshots, go to Settings > Display > Hardware and check the box for "Anti-aliasing", change the Filtering to Trilinair. You will get the best results if you choose the highest resolution that your graphics card and monitor can support. For more detailed aircraft textures, set the "Global max texture size" slider to "Massive" in the display settings screen (hardware tab).

How can I make screenshots?
- Press <printscreen> (can be shown as "prtsc" on your keyboard), pause FS and return to Windows, open Paint (usually located here: Start > Programs > Accessoires > Paint). Choose Edit > Paste. Save the file, so you can open and edit it with Photoshop or Paintshop. You can also use other programs to make screenshots, fraps for example.

What is GMAX and where can I get it?
GMAX is a 3d program by Autodesk used to create 3d models for computer games. It can be used for modeling new aircraft for FS2004. You can find it on CD#1 in the folder extras\gmax. Note that modeling aircraft is not easy at all, it takes a huge amount of time and commitment.

Questions related to moving traffic

What is AI traffic?
- AI traffic means Artificial Intelligent Traffic. It controls the other planes you see in FS2004. The developers of FS2004 created a flexible system to add more realism to the simulation. Even better is the option to add AI planes and their flight plans yourself.

What is AFCAD?
- A small program by Lee Swordy that allows you to edit airports in CAD style. You can edit/add runways, parking space, taxiways and more.

Is there a way to watch the AI traffic fly like I view my plane?
- Yes, go to the spot-plane view mode and hold <CONTROL> <SHIFT>, then press <W> to switch from AI plane to another AI plane. FS will show you AI planes that are airborne as well as AI planes that are still on the ground. Press <S> to change back to your own plane.

How much AI traffic can FS2004 handle? Is there a limit?
- No, it may depend on your system specs of course, but there is no built-in limitation. The only limitation is that you won't be able to see AI planes that are 10 nm or more from your location.

AI planes disappear from the runway after landing, how can that be?
- Either you have installed too much AI traffic or the AFCAD file for that airport needs to be updated. When an AI plane lands, there needs to be parking space on the airport. If there isn't any, FS just removes them right after the landing.

I've installed a lot new AI traffic and I want the default traffic of FS to be removed. How?
- If FS2004 is installed on your C: disk, go to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\Scenery\World\scenery\ and rename the file "traffic030504.bgl" to "traffic030504.bak". If you want to enable it again, just change the file extension from .bak to bgl.

Aircraft & flying related questions

Every time when I try to land, the plane won't slow down, or I decent too fast.
- Decrease the amount of fuel, your plane is most likely too heavy to land. Press <ALT>, click on "Aircraft" and then on "Fuel and Payload" and decrease the % of fuel to about 20-30%, (with jets, decrease the fuel in the center tank(s) first) depending on the type of aircraft. You also need to set flaps. Flaps will increase lift and you'll be able to fly slower without losing too much altitude. You can use the spoilers to decent and slow down if you're flying to high or too fast. Use the spoilers only briefly.

Is it possible to be pushed back from the gate?
- Yes, press <SHIFT>+<P> then <1> to push back and turn left, <SHIFT>+<P> then 2 to push back and turn right. Or you can just press <SHIFT>+<P> to push back straight out. Press <SHIFT>+<P> again to stop moving.

Can I open the doors of an aircraft?
- Yes, hold <SHIFT> and press <E> and do the same to close the door(s). Some aircraft have more moving parts like cargo doors. Usually, when you hold <SHIFT> and press <E> and a number (1,2 or 3 on your keyboard), other doors will open. But the movement of a door may be assigned to other keys like the tailhook. See the readme file when you download add-on aircraft for information about opening doors.

Can I move around the plane in the spot plane view like they to in FS2004 video's I've seen?
- Yes, use <SHIFT> + <ENTER> to move down, <SHIFT> + <BACKSPACE> to move up, <CONTROL> + <SHIFT> + <ENTER> to move to the right and <CONTROL> + <SHIFT> + <BACKSPACE> to move to the left. If you like to move around the plane with the mouse, you have to download a small (freeware) module called F1view.

There are trees on the taxiway! How can this be?
- Could be a bug in the default scenery or a problem with add-on scenery. In the case of add-on scenery, the developer of that scenery may have forgotten to include exclude files to correct it. Try to disable the add-on scenery for that airport and see if that solves the problem. If the problem occurs on an default airport, check the AVSIM Library if there are any fixes available that correct the bug. For example, choose the category "----Fight Simulator 2004 - AFCAD Files" and search for the airport name or 4-letter ICAO airport indentifier code.

How do I disable airspace alert messages in the GPS 500?
- Press and hold the MSG button for two seconds. Press the MSG button again to enable it.

When I replay a landing, I would like to see it from another direction. Can I change the location of the tower view mode?
- Yes, press <ALT>, go to World > Map. Zoom in a bit and click and hold on the small tower icon on the map. Now you can move it to any place you like. You can also adjust the altitude of the tower view on the left. Note that you are not moving any tower, you just move the view point of the tower view mode. Check out the freeware module Recorder module for FS2004 if you want to save multible tower view points.

I would like to replay my whole flight, but I only see the first few minutes. What is the solution?
- For a more advanced replay, you need a freeware module: Recorder module for FS2004. With this module, you can record unlimited time (depening on free space on your harddrive) and much more.

ATC related questions

What does it mean when the ATC is talking about Flightlevels like FL340 or FL190?
- They are talking about altitude. FL340 is 34,000 feet, so just add "00" at the end. The ATC start talking in Flight Levels when you are above the Transition Altitude, which is a safe altitude above any obstacles within some distance of the operation area. The TA varies from country to country and sometimes even within a country. For north america, it is 18,000 feet.

It is very annoying to close the popup window of the ATC every time there are transmission between the ATC and AI aircraft, is there any way to change that?
- Yes, go to settings > Air Traffic Control and un-check "Show ATC text" and be sure to check "Auto-open ATC Window", that way you only get the ATC popup when a reply from you is required.

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