Troubleshooting Basics  
 
Resolve problems and get back to flying
Most problems that you encounter when running Flight Simulator are related to conflicts between hardware components or problems with manufacturer's hardware drivers. You can troubleshoot many of these problems yourself following the steps below.
Restarting Flight Simulator
If Flight Simulator stops responding, try restarting the simulator before you try anything else. The problem might not be obvious, but it may be a one-time issue that never occurs again. If Flight Simulator stops responding repeatedly, try the steps below to troubleshoot your issue.
Video Drivers
Drivers are small software programs that allow your operating system to communicate with the hardware in your computer. Beyond acting as a translator, a driver can also enhance the operation of a particular piece of hardware, such as a video adapter or a sound card. A damaged or outdated video driver can cause program errors.
The manufacturer of your video or sound device probably offers free driver updates on their Web site. Contact your computer vendor or video card manufacturer to inquire about obtaining and installing the latest version of the driver for your video adapter.

To determine who made your video card
Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click System.
On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.
Click the plus symbol next to Display Adapters to expand the branch.
Double-click a device in the list.
On the General tab, look for the manufacturer name.
The manufacturers name appears in the name of the adapter.
For information about how to contact your video adapter manufacturer, visit support.microsoft.com and search for the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Article 65416: Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K
Article 60781: Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P
Article 60782: Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z
(You will need an Internet connection to access this information.)
Sound Drivers
To determine if the sound driver is causing a problem, disable the sound card.

To disable the sound card
Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click Sounds and Audio Devices.
On the Hardware tab, select the audio device you want to disable, then click Properties.
In the Device usage list, select Do not use this device (disable).
Click OK.
Restart your computer.
Note: If you continue to experience issues after disabling the sound card, undo the steps above and then update your sound card drivers.

To determine the version of your sound card and its drivers
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type dxdiag in the Open box, and then click OK. If you get a message asking if you want to proceed, click Yes.
In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool dialog box, click the Sound.
In the Device area, note the name of your device on the Name line.
In the Drivers field, note the version number on the Version line.
When you have noted the version numbers for the sound card installed on your computer, click Exit.
For information about how to contact your sound card manufacturer, visit support.microsoft.com and search for the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Article 65416: Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K
Article 60781: Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P
Article 60782: Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z
(You will need an Internet connection to access this information.)
If you update your sound card drivers and you still have problems in Flight Simulator, try reducing Sound Acceleration in Windows.

To reduce hardware sound acceleration
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type dxdiag in the Open box, and then click OK.
In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool dialog box, click the Sound tab.
Under DirectX Features, move the Hardware Sound Acceleration Level slider left to the No acceleration setting.
Click Exit.
DirectX Issues
DirectX is a Windows component that allows software programs to communicate well with computer hardware. Games and simulations use DirectX to communicate with your sound card, video card, and game controllers. For more information about DirectX, or to download and install the latest version, visit www.microsoft.com/directx. (You will need an Internet connection to access this information.)
Graphics Issues
Flight Simulator automatically determines during setup the display settings that are best for the hardware on your computer. If the graphics (terrain, textures, and other visuals) in the simulator don't display correctly, there are a number of steps you can take. You can try selecting different settings (see Changing Graphic Settings).
It's important to check the readme file to see if there are known issues with the video card in your computer. Video card manufacturers often update the drivers and make them available for download from their Web sites. The Readme file lists known problems and provides links to the manufacturers' Web sites. To view the readme file, double-click the Readme.rtf file in your Flight Simulator folder.
Add-on Compatibility
There are thousands of third-party aircraft, scenery, and other software products for Flight Simulator. We work to ensure backward compatibility with these products for two versions, meaning that if the product was developed for Flight Simulator 2002, it should work on Flight Simulator X if the following requirements are met:
The manufacturer followed the Software Developer's Kit for Flight Simulator.
The software is correctly installed.
Note: While we work to ensure compatibility with third-party addons, Microsoft Support does not provide assistance with these programs. If your add-on software is not working with Flight Simulator X, please contact the software manufacturer.
Out-of-Memory Messages
Run Disk Cleanup if you receive an error message that states:
"Your computer has run out of available memory. Flight Simulator will now exit. You may not have enough free space on your hard drive. Run Disk Cleanup to free up space, and then try running Flight Simulator again."

To run Disk Cleanup
On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Accessories , point to System tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.
Follow the instructions on the screen.
Clues About Error Messages
Sometimes, you can determine the cause of the problem by noting what occurred just before you received the error message, whether the problem also occurs in other programs, or if the problem occurs every time you attempt to perform a particular action.
To determine the cause of the problem, answer the following questions:
Are other programs running on your computer when you receive the error message?
Is this a known issue with Flight Simulator?
Does the problem only occur during a particular action?
Does the problem occur in other programs?
Can you reproduce the problem, or does it occur randomly?
The following sections discuss each question and possible resolutions.
Are Other Programs Running on your Computer When You Receive the Error Message?
You can prevent or resolve many error messages by exiting all programs that are running on your computer before you start Flight Simulator.

To exit all programs
Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to display the Windows Task Manager.
On the Applications tab, click any program, and then click End Task. Repeat this step to exit all programs.
Exit Windows Task Manager.
Is the Problem a Known Issue with Flight Simulator?
Certain "invalid page fault" or "fatal exception" error messages only occur when specific conditions are true. For more information about how to resolve specific error messages, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base at support.microsoft.com for the exact text of the error message. (You will need an Internet connection to access this information.)
Does the Problem Only Occur During a Particular Action?
If you receive the error message only when you perform a specific action or set of actions in Flight Simulator, the actions that trigger the error message may provide clues about which solutions you should try first.
For example, if you only receive the error message when you press a programmed button on your joystick, you may want to disable programmed buttons, update the joystick software, or even update the sound driver for your sound card if the joystick is connected to the game port on your sound card.
Does the Problem Occur in Other Programs?
If the problem occurs in other programs, the problem most likely is caused by an outdated device driver, a damaged or missing component of Windows, or another program that is running in the background.

Note: Some of the troubleshooting tips and possible solutions in this topic may help with these issues, but the focus of this topic is to resolve error messages that are specific to Flight Simulator. If the information in this topic doesn't resolve problems that occur in other programs, you may want to look for information about troubleshooting problems in other programs running on your computer.
Can You Reproduce the Problem, or Does It Occur Randomly?
If you always receive the error message each time you perform a specific action or set of actions, use one of the suggested resolutions for the problem, and then perform that action or set of actions again. If you no longer receive the error message, assume that the problem is resolved. If you continue to receive the error message, you need to continue troubleshooting the problem.
If you cannot easily reproduce the problem, use one of the suggested resolutions for the problem, and then fly Flight Simulator until you feel comfortable that the problem is resolved. If you continue to receive the error message, try another possible resolution.
Note: Be sure to keep track of the resolutions that you have tried, along with the results for each one.
Computer System Requirements
In addition to requiring a computer with the Windows operating system, Flight Simulator runs best on systems configured as indicated in the following table.

Item Minimum Recommended Best  
CPU 1.0 GHz 2.8 GHz 3.6 GHz  
Memory 256 MB 1 GB 2 GB  
Video card 32 MB 64 MB 512 MB  
Internet 56.6 modem Broadband Broadband  
Other Sound card
Speakers or headphones
Joystick or Xbox 360 Controller for Windows
Microphone (required for RT voice)
Be sure to download and install the latest Windows Service Pack from www.microsoft.com/windows/default.asp. (You will need an Internet connection to download this update.)
Are Any Programs Conflicting with Flight Simulator?
When you start Microsoft Windows, other software may start along with the operating system. These programs, which may include antivirus and system utility programs, can interfere with Flight Simulator. Consequently, you may receive an error message, or Flight Simulator may stop responding. You can set up your computer to perform a clean boot, which prevents other programs from starting automatically.

To perform a clean boot on Windows XP
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type msconfig, and then click OK.
In the System Configuration Utility, click the General tab, and then click Selective Startup.
Under Selective Startup, clear the following check boxes:
Process SYSTEM.INI file
Process WIN.INI file
Load Startup Items
Click the Services tab.
Select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, then click Disable All.
Click OK.
Click Restart.
Note: To complete this procedure, you must be logged on as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from completing this procedure.
 
To restore to a normal startup
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type msconfig, and then click OK.
In the System Configuration Utility, click the General tab.
Click Normal Startup.
Click OK.
Click Restart.

For additional information about how to perform a clean boot, visit support.microsoft.com and search for Article 331796: How to Perform a Clean Boot to Prevent Background Programs from Interfering with Play in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. (You will need an Internet connection to access this information.)
Reinstalling Flight Simulator
If the troubleshooting steps above have not resolved the problem, uninstall Flight Simulator, perform a clean boot of your computer (see Are any programs conflicting with the simulator? section earlier in this article), delete the Flight Simulator folder, and then reinstall Flight Simulator.

To uninstall Flight Simulator
Exit all programs that are running on your computer.
Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
In the Currently installed programs list, click Microsoft Flight Simulator, then click Change/Remove.
Click Uninstall.
When you are prompted to confirm the deletion of Flight Simulator, click Yes.
 
To reinstall Flight Simulator
Insert Flight Simulator Disc 1 into your DVD drive.
If Setup does not start automatically, click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type drive:\autorun (where drive is your DVD drive).

Gathering Information in DirectX
If you need to contact Microsoft for additional assistance, you can collect valuable information about your system before making that contact. Your support professional can use this information while assisting you with your issue.

To gather DirectX information
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type dxdiag in the Open box, and then click OK.
Note the version on the DirectX Version line.
Check the Notes on each tab, and write down everything in the Notes section, except for "No problems found." Make sure to take note of any uncertified drivers.
Run these recommended diagnostic tests by following the on-screen instructions:
On the Display tab, click the Test DirectDraw button to test DirectDraw functionality.
On the Display tab, click the Test Direct3D button to test Direct3D functionality
On the Sound tab, click the Test DirectSound button to test DirectSound functionality.
On the Music tab, click the Test DirectMusic button to test DirectMusic functionality.
If the problem is not resolved, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For more information, see Online Resources below.
Online Resources
To easily diagnose and answer technical questions yourself, visit support.microsoft.com/support/games.
You can also submit your support questions via the Internet. For more details, visit support.microsoft.com/support/webresponse.asp.

Note: If your Microsoft product was preinstalled or distributed with your personal computer or provided by an Internet service provider (ISP), the computer manufacturer or ISP is responsible for providing your product support. Please contact the source from which you obtained your Microsoft product for support information.
When you contact Microsoft for support, use the following guidelines to make your support experience as quick and as pleasant as possible. You should be at your computer and have the appropriate product documentation at hand. Please be prepared to provide the following information:
The version of Flight Simulator you use.
The type of hardware you use.
The operating system you use.
The exact wording of any messages that appeared on your screen.
A description of what happened and what you were doing when the problem occurred.
A description of how you tried to solve the problem.