MS Flight Simulator Help

[imported_dswymer]

My dad is a Flight Sim nut but is upset that the computer we build for him will not play MS Flight Sim 2003 or 2004. The game starts up and you can play for about 5 minutes before it either black screens or freezes up. I have tried all the recommendations that MS suggests on their site and I've also tried tweaking the graphics and sound thinking maybe things were set too high for his hardware. Still get the same problems. I tried reloading the original OS, WinXP, and even Win2000 (which is current OS, now). Tried swapping out graphics cards, memory, mobo. None of this worked so I tried loading Flight Sim on a couple of my computers that are more than good enough to meet the minimum specs for the game. It won't play on my computers either. Below are his current machine specs. If anyone has encountered a similar problem and has fixed it, please give me some pointers. I'm all out of ideas on this one. Thanks!

Specs:
AMD Athlon 1.2
512 RAM
80 GB HD
ECS K7S5A Mobo
ATI 9600 128MB
Win2000

 

[AMDMaddness]

had a similar problem as strange as it sounds I had to put some direct air cooling on my father in laws hard drive which cleared it up. you may also need to check your CPU cooler or your setting may be set to high and the comp cant handle it. good luck!

Peter

 

[KK]

Have you checked the AC in the house, it may be <100 volts.

After you check that out, can you run the game and maybe put all the video settings down to the lowest settings and see if you can play longer than 5 minutes. If you already tried that, I dunno what else, maybe your AMD processor.

KK

 

[WolverineGator]

No idea what your problem is but you can also try posting your problem here:

http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/cgi/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&amp;forum=DCForumID21&amp;conf=DCConfID1

Good Luck

 

[imported_dswymer]

Originally posted by: KK
Have you checked the AC in the house, it may be <100 volts.

After you check that out, can you run the game and maybe put all the video settings down to the lowest settings and see if you can play longer than 5 minutes. If you already tried that, I dunno what else, maybe your AMD processor.

KK

Would you mind explaining about the AC in the house? That doesn't make sense to me. What would me AC have to do with that program giving me fits?

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Originally posted by: KK
Have you checked the AC in the house, it may be <100 volts.

After you check that out, can you run the game and maybe put all the video settings down to the lowest settings and see if you can play longer than 5 minutes. If you already tried that, I dunno what else, maybe your AMD processor.

KK

I doubt it's the AMD processor. Runs fine on mine (Athlon XP 2GHz, 512MB, Geforce 4400 128MB, Win2K). I agree, I'd check your cooling.

 

[eLiu]

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive

Originally posted by: KK
Have you checked the AC in the house, it may be <100 volts.

After you check that out, can you run the game and maybe put all the video settings down to the lowest settings and see if you can play longer than 5 minutes. If you already tried that, I dunno what else, maybe your AMD processor.

KK

I doubt it's the AMD processor. Runs fine on mine (Athlon XP 2GHz, 512MB, Geforce 4400 128MB, Win2K). I agree, I'd check your cooling.

I'd say check cooling, check voltages to video card &amp; CPU...maybe something is running low. Is your PSU strong enough?

It definitely isn't teh AMD processor--the game runs great on my AMD Athlon (thunderbird) 1.2ghz with a Radeon 9600pro. It also ran fine (albeit with less graphical prettiness) on my old Geforce2.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

did you update your drivers?

Try opening the case and blow all the dust and lint off the inside fo the machine....

 

[imported_dswymer]

Originally posted by: eLiu

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive

Originally posted by: KK
Have you checked the AC in the house, it may be <100 volts.

After you check that out, can you run the game and maybe put all the video settings down to the lowest settings and see if you can play longer than 5 minutes. If you already tried that, I dunno what else, maybe your AMD processor.

KK

I doubt it's the AMD processor. Runs fine on mine (Athlon XP 2GHz, 512MB, Geforce 4400 128MB, Win2K). I agree, I'd check your cooling.

I'd say check cooling, check voltages to video card &amp; CPU...maybe something is running low. Is your PSU strong enough?

It definitely isn't teh AMD processor--the game runs great on my AMD Athlon (thunderbird) 1.2ghz with a Radeon 9600pro. It also ran fine (albeit with less graphical prettiness) on my old Geforce2.

Your setup sounds like his and it will not work on a fresh load of W2K. I checked and he has a 400W PS. He also had a burner and a jazz drive in it but it seems like that would be more than enough power for for everything. How would I check the voltage to the video card and what it should be?