Train SImulator

I switched from Win '98 to W2K. Installed W2K from scratch. Also
installed a new PCI sound card, previous sound card was ISA. They are
both Sound Blaster cards.
Win '98 ran the Train Simulator okay. Not great but okay.
With W2K the motion is very jerky. I have added another 128 MB of ram for a total of 640 MB ( 256 + 128 + 128 + 128).
I have unloaded as many services as possible but it seems to make no differenceAlso W2K hangs when I exit the game and I have use Task Manager to kill both train.exe and launcher.exe. Train.exe and launcher take up 99% cpu.
Once train.exe is killed then launcher.exe goes to 99%.
I use a Nvidia GeForce 2MX/MX400 with 64 MB of ram. It worked fine with Train Simulator and Win '98.When trying to troubleshoot the launcher hangs after clicking: "Change
Video Driver".I have installed the latest video drivers.Any ideas?
Sincerely,
Peter

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RE: Train SImulator, seank97, Nov-18-04, 10:57 PM, (1) RE: Train SImulator, glsailing, Nov-19-04, 00:21 AM, (2) RE: Train SImulator, OTTODAD, Nov-19-04, 08:54 AM, (3) RE: Train SImulator, MasterChief, Nov-19-04, 09:18 AM, (4) RE: Train SImulator, glsailing, Nov-20-04, 01:12 AM, (5) RE: Train SImulator, derekmorton, Nov-20-04, 01:18 AM, (6) RE: Train SImulator, glsailing, Nov-20-04, 01:24 AM, (7) RE: Train SImulator, OTTODAD, Nov-20-04, 09:53 AM, (8) RE: Train SImulator, glsailing, Nov-20-04, 12:29 PM, (11) RE: Train SImulator, glsailing, Nov-20-04, 02:33 PM, (12) RE: Train SImulator, OTTODAD, Nov-20-04, 04:28 PM, (13) RE: Train SImulator, glsailing, Nov-20-04, 04:50 PM, (14) RE: Train SImulator, OTTODAD, Nov-20-04, 05:32 PM, (15) RE: Train SImulator, dgauci, Nov-20-04, 07:15 PM, (16) RE: Train SImulator, OTTODAD, Nov-21-04, 09:10 AM, (17) RE: Train SImulator, dgauci, Nov-21-04, 10:37 AM, (21) RE: Train SImulator, OTTODAD, Nov-21-04, 12:51 PM, (22) RE: Train SImulator, dgauci, Nov-21-04, 02:24 PM, (25) RE: Train Simulator, chucksc, Nov-20-04, 11:38 AM, (9) RE: Train Simulator, glsailing, Nov-20-04, 12:27 PM, (10) RE: Train Simulator, jdtrainman, Nov-21-04, 09:27 AM, (18) RE: Train Simulator, dgauci, Nov-21-04, 10:13 AM, (19) RE: Train Simulator, OTTODAD, Nov-21-04, 10:16 AM, (20) RE: Train Simulator, jdtrainman, Nov-21-04, 01:23 PM, (23) RE: Train Simulator, glsailing, Nov-21-04, 01:38 PM, (24) RE: Train Simulator, dgauci, Nov-21-04, 02:43 PM, (26) RE: Train Simulator, glsailing, Nov-21-04, 03:13 PM, (27) RE: Train Simulator, OTTODAD, Nov-21-04, 04:41 PM, (28) RE: Train Simulator, glsailing, Nov-21-04, 07:03 PM, (29) RE: Train Simulator, dgauci, Nov-21-04, 08:19 PM, (30) RE: Train Simulator, glsailing, Nov-23-04, 10:19 PM, (31)

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Having lots of experience with MSTS and Win2K I offer this. First and foremost, have you downloaded and installed all the critical updates from Microsoft, and have you installed Directx "c" as well? If yes and/or no, even though you have a fresh install it would be wise to do a system "defrag" despite the system mentioning that it might not be ready to do so, do it anyway. Reboot, and see what happens. P.M. me if this does not appear to help much, and I will send you a small program and instructions to shut-down items running in the background (similar to msconfig even though it is not included in Win2K) and that will help too.SeanK97

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Thanks for the fast reply. I was actually trying out MSTS. My PC is SCSI based and I have not defragged in a while. I downloaded whatever Microsoft had to offer. Two additional trains and scenarios and a fix.
Are there any more downloads?
I have msconfig - downloded the one for XP - works for W2K.
The graphics card worked under Win '98 but "MPROFILE" hangs when I try using "troubleshoot". It uses 99% of cpu and I have to force it to end. SO I think my Nividia GeForce 2M/MX400 and MSTS are not compatible under W2K. Similarly it seems to hang when trying to exit MSTS.
I have direct x 9 c.
I will try defrag even though it runs half the night to see if that cures the jerkiness of the frames.
Peter>Having lots of experience with MSTS and Win2K I offer this.
>First and foremost, have you downloaded and installed all
>the critical updates from Microsoft, and have you installed
>Directx "c" as well? If yes and/or no, even though you have
>a fresh install it would be wise to do a system "defrag"
>despite the system mentioning that it might not be ready to
>do so, do it anyway. Reboot, and see what happens. P.M. me
>if this does not appear to help much, and I will send you a
>small program and instructions to shut-down items running in
>the background (similar to msconfig even though it is not
>included in Win2K) and that will help too.
>
>SeanK97

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Hi Peter !Not mentioned specifically but have you updated your Graphics Card Driver with a WIN 2K version ?Not all of the latest drivers are compatible with MSTS.Perhaps Sean could tell you which Graphics Card and Driver he is using for his WIN 2K MSTS ?O t t o

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When looking for drivers, keep in mind that there are dozens of drivers available for the Nvidia cards, and the latest is not neccessarily the best. You may have to experiment with several before finding the optimal driver. A good place to start looking is www.3dguru.com.MC

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I defragged the hard drive. I de-installed the latest and greatest driver from Nvidia. Re-booted the system. Installed Nvidia driver 44.03 that is the most stable and best according to www.forum.3dguru.com.

Makes no difference.

I tested with Northwest Corridor - Maryland Scenario and got a steady frame rate of 4 except any time I adjusted speed or headlight. Then the frame rate went to 10 0r 11 0r 12. This is with std VGA and visibility of 1500.

Re-did the test with performance set to max. same scenario, got a frame rate of 6 unless I adjusted something. As long as I press the "H" for headlight I can keep frame rate in excess of 10.

Re-did the test with max. graphics and 1024x768 and got a frame rate of 4 and if I adjusted anything I got a frame rate of 10 or 11.

In any event no matter what I do I have to use task manager to quit MSTS.

When MSTS is running and I use the task manager it shows CPU of 100% and it also kills the display.

WHen I try and use the "troubleshoot" part of MSTS I - MPROFILE hangs.
It shows me that I have 3D Graphics and then the troubleshoot icon/app also hangs.

Somehow W2K, my video card a MSTS don't seem compatible.
Peter>When looking for drivers, keep in mind that there are dozens
>of drivers available for the Nvidia cards, and the latest is
>not neccessarily the best. You may have to experiment with
>several before finding the optimal driver. A good place to
>start looking is www.3dguru.com.
>
>MC

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Have you installed W2k sp4?I have been running w2k since that day it came out, and not had a problem with my hardware or MSTS.

Derek
EngMod@sgrail.org
www.sgrail.org
EngMod forum
http://www.3dtrains.com/forums/index.php?s=3c21ea4e4882bb70177f35d82c51523b&act=SF&f=59

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Derek,
Yes - see below.
System Information report written at: 11/20/2004 01:21:34 AM
Item Value
OS Name Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Version 5.0.2195 Service Pack 4 Build 2195
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name GANDALF
System Manufacturer System Manufacturer
System Model System Name
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 10 GenuineIntel ~997 Mhz
BIOS Version Award Medallion BIOS v6.0
Windows Directory E:\WINNT
System Directory E:\WINNT\system32
Boot Device \Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
Locale United States
User Name GANDALF\Peter Deppisch
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 654,880 KB
Available Physical Memory 428,952 KB
Total Virtual Memory 1,881,988 KB
Available Virtual Memory 1,441,056 KB
Page File Space 1,227,108 KB
Page File E:\pagefile.sys
Peter>Have you installed W2k sp4?
>
>I have been running w2k since that day it came out, and not
>had a problem with my hardware or MSTS.

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-20-04 AT 10:10 AM (EST)

Peter,anything else running in the background at the same time as MSTS, Internet, Anti-Virus, Firewall, Network, etc ?O t t oP.S.: Try loading MSTS with a Shortcut from your Desktop like the one below. Edit the "Target:" line to the location of your MSTS which is most likely in:"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\Train.exe" /anisotropicand the "Start in:" line accordingly. The Quotation marks are required.This example points to a MSTS MINI Route master copy:

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O t t o,
I will re-install and try your suggestion.
WIll keep you posted.
Peter>Peter,
>
>anything else running in the background at the same time as
>MSTS, Internet, Anti-Virus, Firewall, Network, etc ?
>
>O t t o
>
>P.S.: Try loading MSTS with a Shortcut from your Desktop
>like the one below. Edit the "Target:" line to the location
>of your MSTS which is most likely in:
>
>"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train
>Simulator\Train.exe" /anisotropic
>
>and the "Start in:" line accordingly. The Quotation marks
>are required.
>
>This example points to a MSTS MINI Route master copy:
>
>

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O t t o,
I re-installed and have not applyed any downloads and or the fix but initiated "e:\microsoft game\train simulator\train.exe" via the RUN dialog vs. the icon and MSTS now works. It still will not exit properly, i.e. I still have to use Task Manager to kill the process. I get frame rates of 18 to 22, if another train passes it goes to 15 and this is with a setting of 1024x768x16.

I also tried "e:\microsoft game\train simulator\train.exe" -rungame and that works.
The MSTS launch icon properties showed:
"e:\microsoft game\train simulator\train.launcher" -rungame
And then I have two processes running, launcher and train and each wants 100%. I think it has somethign to do with the fact that I have to kill the processes to get out of MSTS. I presume that launcher launches train and should then be dormant or exit.
Another mystery to solve.By using the above outlined initating of MSTS it now wants the CD in the drive.Also tried:
"e:\microsoft game\train simulator\train.exe" /anisotropic with and without the "/" and it works. And it wants the CD in the drive.I will apply the patch and see what that does.
BTW: When I do the Maryland in Morning scenario I can never finish the scenario as I arrive at the 0.0 mile marker but hitting enter does nothing and I don't see that little blue bar on the track monitor that tells me I am at a station.
Peter>O t t o,
>I will re-install and try your suggestion.
>WIll keep you posted.
>Peter
>
>>Peter,
>>
>>anything else running in the background at the same time as
>>MSTS, Internet, Anti-Virus, Firewall, Network, etc ?
>>
>>O t t o
>>
>>P.S.: Try loading MSTS with a Shortcut from your Desktop
>>like the one below. Edit the "Target:" line to the location
>>of your MSTS which is most likely in:
>>
>>"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train
>>Simulator\Train.exe" /anisotropic
>>
>>and the "Start in:" line accordingly. The Quotation marks
>>are required.
>>
>>This example points to a MSTS MINI Route master copy:
>>
>>

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Hi Peter !LAUNCHER.EXE is not required to run MSTS, but needed to run the Editors.If MSTS loading asks for a Train Simulator CD then you have not got the 1.2 Update installed.If it just says "There is no CD in the drive" then WIN-XP forinstance indicates sometimes that there was a CD in the drive before but lets MSTS continue loading. Not sure whether WIN-2000 does the same.Lack of memory is definitely an issue with MSTS and nothing else should be running in the background, clogging up RAM and wasting CPU cycles ! My WIN-XP Task Manager indicates 70% CPU use on average.O t t o

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Hi Otto,
The icon pointed to launcher.exe. I changed it to train.exe. So now things work.

I realize that a faster machine, more memory and a better graphics card would improve things. But the frame rate is acceptable to me, especially if I get rid off processes that are not needed to run MSTS. Maybe after Xmas there will be some deals. I will eventually upgrade to AMD Athlon in the 3 gb range with 1 gig of ram and good graphics card.
By the way what is considered a decent configuration?

I do have 640 MB, (256 + 128 + 128 + 128).

My initial test with the latest install was done without the patch. The patch is now installed and it does not ask for the CD anymore.
Now I need to figure out why train.exe is running at 99% and why it won't exit properly
Peter>Hi Peter !
>
>LAUNCHER.EXE is not required to run MSTS, but needed to run
>the Editors.
>
>If MSTS loading asks for a Train Simulator CD then you have
>not got the 1.2 Update installed.
>
>If it just says "There is no CD in the drive" then WIN-XP
>forinstance indicates sometimes that there was a CD in the
>drive before but lets MSTS continue loading. Not sure
>whether WIN-2000 does the same.
>
>Lack of memory is definitely an issue with MSTS and nothing
>else should be running in the background, clogging up RAM
>and wasting CPU cycles ! My WIN-XP Task Manager indicates
>70% CPU use on average.
>
>O t t o

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Hi Peter !The hardware you got should be adequate to give you average MSTS performance for the time being.I think that too much running in the background is still the main problem considering your low powered CPU and probably slow RAM as well. Fewer sticks of RAM are also better than the mix you got at the moment. If your MOBO can handle it then faster DDR-RAM is the best.If I were you do what I did, get a WIN-XP Home machine with a decent AMD CPU and 1 GB of fast DDR RAM, including one of the latest mid-range ATI cards and use it for SIMS and Home Entertainment only.Retain the WIN-2000 and use it for everything else. It's less vulnerable being exposed to the Internet than WIN-XP !I use an external 120 Gb USB-2 hard disk to transfer data between my computers, making Networking them unnecessary, isolating them from being infected via a Network and also providing Back-Ups for both WIN O/S.Worth the extra Bucks spent ! Take Care, O t t o.

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>Retain the WIN-2000 and use it for everything else. It's
>less vulnerable being exposed to the Internet than WIN-XP ! I know better than try to inject actual knowledge into these forums, but where did you pick up that fallacy from? Just cite some sources that can be referenced please.

"Boycott Michael Moore and France"

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It is a well known and frequently mentioned fact that most hackers are targeting WIN-XP more than any other WINDOW O/S because it is the most widely used version of WINDOWS, giving hackers more opportunities to penetrate it and achieve maximum worldwide effect.WIN-2000 comes second and WIN-98 is barely affected. I believe WIN-XP uses different to WIN-2000 methods to communicate with the outside world and most of ongoing fixes are addressing it's security flaws more than those of WIN-2000, the latter's barely in the news nowadays.As far as I know the last Service Pack for WIN-2000 was SP4 released in June 2003, indicating that things can't be as bad with WIN-2000 as they are with WIN-XP, one of the reasons why my former main client has chosen it for networking it's branches new Windows Point-of-Sale Software, making my reliable and efficient DOS Accounting and POS version redundant ! Quote from their 2004 Annual Report to the shareholders:"Some £ 1 m has been spent in total on branch upgrades and moving a solid but ageing DOS based system to Windows 2000 technology."O t t o

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>It is a well known and frequently mentioned fact that most
>hackers are targeting WIN-XP more than any other WINDOW O/S
>because it is the most widely used version of WINDOWS,
>giving hackers more opportunities to penetrate it and
>achieve maximum worldwide effect.
>
>WIN-2000 comes second and WIN-98 is barely affected. Otto, Windows XP is the most targeted because it is the most current and dominant operating system, it's also the most widely supported. Windows 2000 has had 4 service packs released in 3 years, Windows XP has had 2 Service packs released in 3 years. How does that indicate that Windows 2000 is somehow more stable rather than the opposite?Windows XP is based on Windows 2000, the same things that can affect Windows XP can also affect Windows 2000. The internal numbering for Windows 2000 is NT 5.0, Windows XP is NT 5.1.You need to be running Windows XP SP2, to be able to download the latest security updates. So far Microsoft has stated they won't release the updates for earlier versions of their OS's. As a result Internet access with either Win 2000 or Windows 98 now makes you much less secure than with Windows XP SP2.If you can still cite a source stating that Windows XP is less secure than Windows 2000 I'd like to see it.

"Boycott Michael Moore and France"

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I think what I mean to say is that although WIN-XP has been developed from the WIN-2000 code and shares much with it, much more code and .NET has been added to it to make it what it is to today, adding more facilities and different ways in which it works, creating new security holes.Hackers keep finding new ones in WIN-XP all the time, some of which may not affect WIN-2000. I think it was GARTNER reporting some time ago that many corporations are reluctant to upgrade from WIN NT and WIN-2000 to WIN-XP for reasons of security, consultants advising my previous client also referring to it.

Academic as far as I am concerned, my WIN-98SE computer not having any problems with the Internet and the WIN-XP one not being allowed to connect to it ! O t t o

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>much more code and .NET has been added to it to make it what
>it is to today, adding more facilities and different ways in
>which it works, creating new security holes..NET is not built into Windows XP, it is a separate optional add-in that is also platform independent. With the proper add-in you can run .NET apps on any OS, even non-Microsoft. That is one of it's selling points to application developers.>Academic as far as I am concerned, my WIN-98SE computer not
>having any problems with the Internet and the WIN-XP one not
>being allowed to connect to it ! You should say your Win 98 system does not appear to be having any problems with the Internet. Since it is inherently more vulnerable to all forms of attack, it may already have been compromised and your not even aware of it.

"Boycott Michael Moore and France"

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LAST EDITED ON Nov-20-04 AT 11:41 AM (EST)

>Derek,
>Yes - see below.
>System Information report written at: 11/20/2004 01:21:34 AM
>
>
>Item Value
>OS Name Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
>Version 5.0.2195 Service Pack 4 Build 2195
>OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
>System Name GANDALF
>System Manufacturer System Manufacturer
>System Model System Name
>System Type X86-based PC
>Processor x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 10 GenuineIntel ~997
>Mhz
>BIOS Version Award Medallion BIOS v6.0
>Windows Directory E:\WINNT
>System Directory E:\WINNT\system32
>Boot Device \Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
>Locale United States
>User Name GANDALF\Peter Deppisch
>Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
>Total Physical Memory 654,880 KB
>Available Physical Memory 428,952 KB
>Total Virtual Memory 1,881,988 KB
>Available Virtual Memory 1,441,056 KB
>Page File Space 1,227,108 KB
>Page File E:\pagefile.sys
>Peter
>
>>Have you installed W2k sp4?
>>
>>I have been running w2k since that day it came out, and not
>>had a problem with my hardware or MSTS.With all due respect IMO this is a pretty marginal system (P3/4 @ 1GHz and 512mb of memory) to run MSTS other than at its lowest settings... 2 of my Grandkids have 1.2ghz machines and other than on the default routes it can wind up a slide show and hanging and banging pretty quickly....BTW, They are both running XP/home! In my experience everyone who is running W2k should be on XP just for the driver support if nothing else... Never mind the speed ups due to the recompilation of the kernel with all patches (for w2k) imbedded....
Also XP/pro is more stable - and that is a professional opinion based on fact and personal anecdotal experience....Chuck Schneider
Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and (Virtual) CEO

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Chuck,
I agree that the system is not the fastest but it ran MSTS in WIN '98 and did not hang and the frame speed was not great but it worked for me. I like W2K and don't like XP, either home or pro. To many security flaws IMHO.
When I launch MSTS all applications are terminated and yes normally, the system tray would show AVG (virus checker), Sygate (firewall), Netscape 7.2 (for security reasons), Winamp, Itunes, SB live, Weather, INCD(NERO), MSN, High Speed Internet. I have set MSTS to highest performance which means that you see nothing and everything is black and white and hazy. The frame rate is still only 6 but goes to 15 when I continuously click on "H", i.e. a control adjustment.

Funnily enough whether they are active or not has no bearing on the performance. In Win '98 I terminated all processes except the absolute minimum and that helped a lot. In W2K it makes no difference. Also TRAINZ runs without a hitch.

I find it curious that the frame rate drops to 4 and stays there except when I make an adjustment to a control, any control and then the frame rate goes to 10 or more adn then drops back to 4. If I continuously click "H" for the headlights I get a frame rate of 10 or more. I find that very curious.
I have de-installed "train simulator" and will install again with nothing running except basic W2K services. This will be my 3rd time and results have varied each time. The first time MSTS would not even launch. It just crashed. I installed the latest video drivers and it would launch and actually terminate except it was slow.
I re-installed it and now it does not terminate when quitting MSTS.
I will install again and see if my mileage varies.
Peter>With all due respect IMO this is a pretty marginal system
>(P3/4 @ 1GHz and 512mb of memory) to run MSTS other than at
>its lowest settings... 2 of my Grandkids have 1.2ghz
>machines and other than on the default routes it can wind up
>a slide show and hanging and banging pretty quickly....
>
>BTW, They are both running XP/home! In my experience
>everyone who is running W2k should be on XP just for the
>driver support if nothing else... Never mind the speed ups
>due to the recompilation of the kernel with all patches (for
>w2k) imbedded....
>Also XP/pro is more stable - and that is a professional
>opinion based on fact and personal anecdotal experience....
>
>Chuck Schneider
>Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and (Virtual) CEO
>

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I don't understand why you went to W2K in the first place. It is a NOTORIOUSLY unstable O/S. That's why it was replaced so quickly with XP.I strongly recommend you upgrade to WinXP PRO (NOT "home") edition. If you live near a college or university and can find someone with a student or faculty ID to buy it for you through the university book store you can get PRO for $99.00 (educational price) as opposed to $199.00 (retail version).Win2K was a "dress up" version of 98 still being based largely on DOS rather than NT technology. When/if you upgrade I also strongly recommend wiping your entire hard drive and starting with a fresh install. There will be a LOT of junk in the windows registry left over from 98 and 2K. Yes, it'll take you more effort to reinstall all your programs but it's FAR more stable and reliable! Be absolutely certain that you do NOTHING else but install XP followed by Service Pack 2 (SP2) and run Windows Update to get all of the latest firmware and software patches before installing any other software. This will result in a MUCH cleaner and faster operating system.Good luck with it!JBD

Jim Duncan
Midwest Rail Group

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>Win2K was a "dress up" version of 98 still being based
>largely on DOS rather than NT technology. You're confusing Windows ME (Windows Millennium Edition), with Win2k (Windows 2000). What your stating is true about Windows ME, but definitely not true about Windows 2000.

"Boycott Michael Moore and France"

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Hi Jim !I think that WIN-2000 was built on the WIN-NT Kernel and WIN-2000 Pro later became the basis WIN-XP Pro was build on ?From https://web.cats.gwu.edu/ExpandingBoundaries/prelim.htm Enhanced Reliability: "Windows XP. . . is a much stabler operating system than Windows 98 or Me could ever hope to be. . . The Kernel is based on advanced technology developed for Windows NT (and enhanced for Windows 2000) rather than on good old DOS, or the so-called Windows 9x Kernel. O t t o

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My bad.... I just realized that I was thinking of Windows Millenium Edition... THAT was the one that was a dress-up of 98... Sorry, folks...Still, for stability's sake (and I haven't tried 2K!) XP-Pro has been ultra stable compared to 98 and 98SE. I am also of the opinion that the more M$ makes Windows more internet friendly that it just opens more and more possibilities for hackers to invade. All in all, I strongly recommend an independent firewall (hardware!). Nothing gets by my LinkSys router's internal firewall and with the XP firewall and security features turned, and NOT using Internet Explorer/Outlook Express (!), I feel like my system and network are probably as secure as I can get them to be...JBD

Jim Duncan
Midwest Rail Group

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I upgraded from Windows '98 to W2K and I like it. I don't like XP because anytime I change my computer I have to call M$. I like being independant. I have always build my computer vs. buying a retail box.
I run a Netgear RP114 router, Sygate Firewall, and AVG. When I use "Shields-UP" everything is "stealth". That is the way I like it. I use Netscape until the hackers get to it then maybe Firefox. Java is turned off.
W2K is NT 5.0, XP is NT 5.1. I don't see at this time why I need to spend the money to upgrade to XP. I would rather spend it on my sailboat.
Browsed the NET yesterday and from a security standpoint there seems to be no difference between W2K or XP and since M$ is developing XP my guess is that XP is probably more secure.
Peter
>My bad.... I just realized that I was thinking of Windows
>Millenium Edition... THAT was the one that was a dress-up of
>98... Sorry, folks...
>
>Still, for stability's sake (and I haven't tried 2K!) XP-Pro
>has been ultra stable compared to 98 and 98SE. I am also of
>the opinion that the more M$ makes Windows more internet
>friendly that it just opens more and more possibilities for
>hackers to invade. All in all, I strongly recommend an
>independent firewall (hardware!). Nothing gets by my LinkSys
>router's internal firewall and with the XP firewall and
>security features turned, and NOT using Internet
>Explorer/Outlook Express (!), I feel like my system and
>network are probably as secure as I can get them to be...
>
>JBD

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>I don't like XP because anytime I change my computer I have to call
M$. I like being independant. I have always build my computer vs. buying a retail box.Are you stating this from personal experience or just reiterating some of the common misunderstandings about product activation that keep being spread?I've changed HD drives, optical drives, added memory and installed new cards and never once had to re-activate my XP installation.With Windows XP you can change any 4 out of 10 hardware devices in a given quarter without being bothered with a need for re-activation.I don't know many people who completely gut their systems and replace their current motherboard, RAM, CPU, network card, sound card, optical drives and hard disks all at once on a quarterly basis on the same system. Maybe a couple of those items, but more than four at a time on a regular basis? Even if you did completely replace your system every 3 months, as long as it's the same re-configured system you can contact Microsoft and your XP license will be extended each time to the current system.

"Boycott Michael Moore and France"

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I stand corrected - I go by what I read on the net and what was published originally on XP. Certainly have not heard your side of the story.
I do occasional upgrade my motherboard but keep my Adaptec 2940U2W and SCSI drives. Eventually I will probably change the adapter and or get larger drives.
Just read the information on this URL:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1151564,00.asp
Which agrees with your statement
Thanks for trying to set the record straight.
Peterdgauci wrote:
>Are you stating this from personal experience or just
>reiterating some of the common misunderstandings about
>product activation that keep being spread?
>
>I've changed HD drives, optical drives, added memory and
>installed new cards and never once had to re-activate my XP
>installation.
>
>With Windows XP you can change any 4 out of 10 hardware
>devices in a given quarter without being bothered with a
>need for re-activation.
>
>I don't know many people who completely gut their systems
>and replace their current motherboard, RAM, CPU, network
>card, sound card, optical drives and hard disks all at once
>on a quarterly basis on the same system. Maybe a couple of
>those items, but more than four at a time on a regular
>basis? Even if you did completely replace your system every
>3 months, as long as it's the same re-configured system you
>can contact Microsoft and your XP license will be extended
>each time to the current system. Peter wrote:
>>I don't like XP because anytime I change my computer I have to call
>M$. I like being independant. I have always build my
>computer vs. buying a retail box.

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Peter,I hope that those looking at your Link have Spybot installed ! O t t o

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Otto,
Sorry about that. I use Netscape and I use both Spyware Blaster and Spybot S&D and I received no warnings. I also use pop-up blocker. I then tried IE (it also pop-up blocker) and also received no warning.
I subsequently ran Spybot S&D and Spy Blaster after installing the latest updates. System is clean.
So I am curious waht is going on.
Peter
>Peter,
>
>I hope that those looking at your Link have Spybot installed
>!
>
>O t t o
>
>

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>I subsequently ran Spybot S&D and Spy Blaster after
>installing the latest updates. System is clean.
>So I am curious waht is going on. DoubleClick is a very common tracking cookie on zillions of web pages, probably 99% of the people using the web have it in their cookie directory and aren't even aware of it. Every time you run AdAware or Spybot it will zap it, and sure as the sun rises in the east it will come back again the first time you navigate the web.No big deal.

"Boycott Michael Moore and France"

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Derek,
There is at least one other person in this universe that has the identical problem, i.e. train.exe, launcher.exe, and mprofile.exe stay in memory and use lots of cycles and need to terminated via task manager. This person runs XP and a Radeon video card.
So I don't think running W2K is the problem. I think an incompatibility with my hardware, i.e. graphic card and/or sound card.
I have tried the "application compatability" in W2k and set MSTS to Win '98 and it made no difference.
I am betting that there is a problem with my graphic card even though Microsoft thinks my latest Nvidia drivers are great, i.e. logo certified or whatever that means.
Back to square one and yes an Athlon 64 3000+ with 1 gig of ram would run MSTS much better.
Peter>>Derek,
>>Yes - see below.
>>System Information report written at: 11/20/2004 01:21:34 AM
>>
>>

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