How do you *uninstall* unwanted aircraft?

[thrillsandchills]

Hiya,

I know how to *delist*/remove an aircraft from the drop down list. I've done it many times.

When you go through that process, generally speaking, do all the associated files with that file, like the gauge and other files....get removed also?

So, if you download airplane "A" and don't like it, for whatever reason, is there a way to keep your FS9 folder as it was previous to the install?

Thanks in advance,

Thrills And Chills

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

"IF" I understand you correctly ....

There's not really any "ONE SIZE FITS ALL" answer to that sort of question .... simply because some FS add-on aircraft (not all of them) are compiled differently .... of files other than those contained within any aircraft base pack folder and which may be common to a specific add-on FS aircraft type. To remove all trace of these sorts of add-on aircraft compositions .... one first has to know/remember what these add-on aircraft files are comprised of (in terms of such other files as well as their destination FS folders also) in order to be able to locate and remove all of their necessary bits'n'pieces.

Typically though .... deleting the aircraft base pack folder (sometimes referred to as "the aircraft container" .... because it's within these/such folders that most of, if not all of, the necessary files for a specific FS add-on aircraft type are contained) from the FS "AIRCRAFT" folder is sufficient action to result in the removal of all evidence of that particular FS add-on aircraft from FS .... with the exception of any other little bits'n'pieces (like those which I mentioned above) which may still need being located and then removed manually from other FS destination folders.

Then again .... some FS add-on aircraft are also installed/removed per their own auto-install/auto-uninstall programs .... and God only knows what these programs put on ones system/into various FS folders. It's not uncommon for these/such auto-uninstall programs (payware or freeware) to leave behind a residue of "God only knows what" in terms of other files which make up any specific FS add-on aircraft type. In fact I've even heard of cases where such auto-uninstall programs have even removed valid files/components for FS aircraft files .... completely unassociated with the specific aircraft type being removed. These sorts of programs (auto-installers/auto-uninstallers) .... "I HATE THE BLOODY THINGS" more than poison.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[thrillsandchills]

Do you think Creating a System Restore point - Installing the A/C, and if the a/c doesn't work out for whatever reason, remove the "the aircraft container" - then run System Restore.

Do you think that would work, or would bits and pieces still be left behind?

Thanks.

Thrills and Chills

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Do you think Creating a System Restore point - Installing the A/C, and if the a/c doesn't work out for whatever reason, remove the "the aircraft container" - then run System Restore.

Some folk might disagree with me (that's there peroquative), but, personally, I wouldn't .... and I most certainly never have in the past.

I've seen too many people loose too many files .... or otherwise screw things up/get themselves confused (and then all-wound-up) upon having set restore points and then commanding System Restores.

Personally .... I like to be "IN CONTROL" of my own system and what it's doing .... in as much as I also like being "IN CONTROL" of what goes into it and where it all ends up .... and which simply/essentially means "being sure, very selective, and "GETTING IT RIGHT" first time around.

There's not much that i've ever put into my own system/s that I've ever deleted later .... beyond progressive development work and the upgrading/replacement of various files.

Nothing one ever puts on any PC HD is ever fully/completely removed after physically/apparently deleting it anyway .... it can all still be traced .... as many a cyber-criminal has discovered "TO THEIR COST/DISMAY" ;D .... and as many an idiot has also otherwise discovered "TO THEIR JOY/RELIEF" ;D

Again .... I wouldn't bother with either restore points or System Restore .... BUT .... that's just me

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[thrillsandchills]

My only thinking was, after you see another plane you can download, (i.e. freeware or payware,) a download is a download. And over time, I would think, gauges and other files add up - a.k.a. "bits and pieces" - taking up space, slowing up my machine. - or so I would think.

My interest in all of this, so I don't have to feel guilty, about a) leaving the "bits and pieces" behind, or b) downloading another aircraft which, in the worst case scenario, would have a negative impact on "game" play.

You are right. Nothing is ever deleted.

Thanks in advance,

Thrills and Chills

[tokolosh]

If I'm unsure about an aircraft I simply install it into a temporary folder first and then copy it manuarlly into FS. In this way I know the complete directory structure and can choose which files to overwrite when copying into your FS folders (generally keep the newer ones). This method is particularly useful for auto installs, because then you know what you get!

Albert

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

I simply install it into a temporary folder first

That's "PRECISELY" what I do too (even in the case of auto-installers) .... in the interests if seeing exactly what any file is composed/comprised of. And it's, then, not at all difficult to figure out what components go where .... from there.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[+mrfaosfx]

I'll add in to this on what I do know...

Basic aircraft with no panels always go into your aircraft folder. Good developers know your installation of FS is important and keep the files organized. Such as; putting gauge files into the panel folder or if the gauge is used by many different aircraft in a package, they may opt to put it into the gauges folder of FS to "save you space" but they will put them into a folder that can be identified as "part of the add-on."

Other aircraft use special modules that go into the modules folder and as Mark pointed out some add-ons put stuff into your windows\system folder or any other folders.

I avoid aircraft with installation programs because generally the programs are automated and don't even work as intended. Auto-Uninstall programs are even far worse because they remove files your system or your FS installation .

The only organized developer with installation programs and un-installation programs that I know off is CLS; they create for you a folder called CLS into FS and they put needed files there, they do the same in the aircraft folder and the gauges folder so that if at any point you wish to remove anything, all you have to do is remove any trace of "CLS" folders and you should be in the green.

Some developers are much, much worse and the only thing they CARE ABOUT is your MONEY and they will do WHAT EVER it takes to PROTECT THAT INVESTMENT, you really can't blame them. Some payware add-ons install 'secret' dll libraries located in places you'll never find in your Windows or any other folder, deleting these aircraft with out running the associated un-installation program can leave you with a lot of junk in your system ... some of these stuck up developers also dump gauge and texture files with random names such as bitmap34242aE.bmp or auAAAe334.gau and you wouldn't know if auAAAe334.gau belonged to FS or not and their strategy for this is to FORCE you to use the un-installation program, sick I know. Furthermore, these payware add-ons are constantly checking the validity of the installation and put more strain on your system.

Here are some rules to follow and you will always have a clean FS installation.

1. Avoid installers at all costs, you don't know what is being installed into your system. Installation programs are for Windows software. There shouldn't be aircraft uninstalls listed in your add/remove Windows section but I understand developers do this for your convenience but trust me, it does more harm than good.

2. Do not dump panel files; xml and gau files into your FS Gauges folder. If its a dedicated panel for an specific aircraft. Put the gauges or all of the panel files into the panel folder and see if the panel still works properly, if it does, cheers if it does not find another or ask someone for help in re-locating the files.

3. Aircraft installations shouldn't come with modules for them to work, if for some reason they do, find out WHY the module is required and if you can do WITH OUT IT.

I think the best advice I can give you right now is, when you first install FS9 for example, install the update and then after ... make a packing list of the files.

With a clean install of flight simulator do the following...

1. click on start/all programs/accessories and run the command program as an Administrator, say yes to anything that comes up.

2. type the following,


cd\
cd program files
cd microsoft games
cd flight simulator 9
dir /s >packlist.txt
exit


In your FS root folder you'll have a text file called packlist.txt what dir /s does is it lists every single file within that root folder, including directories and puts the output into packlist.txt

It looks something like this...

Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 90E6-6FFA

Directory of C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9

01/14/2013 09:30 AM <DIR> .
01/14/2013 09:30 AM <DIR> ..
08/18/2012 07:22 AM <DIR> 1033
01/08/2013 12:10 PM <DIR> Addon Scenery
08/18/2012 07:22 AM <DIR> Adv
01/12/2013 10:29 PM <DIR> Aircraft
08/18/2012 07:22 AM <DIR> Autogen
02/16/2003 05:02 AM 2,359,352 bkg.bmp
05/31/2003 08:20 PM 167,936 cabdir.exe
08/18/2012 07:22 AM <DIR> Charts
04/17/2001 09:20 PM 6,288 click.wav
08/18/2012 07:23 AM <DIR> Config
06/03/2003 05:28 PM 56,187 credits.rtf
09/10/2001 06:15 PM 49,045 devices.cfg
09/01/2004 09:52 AM 19,528 display.cfg
04/14/2003 08:41 PM 186,696 dw15.exe
06/10/2003 07:40 PM 73,779 ebueula.dll
01/08/2013 12:12 PM <DIR> Effects
06/12/2003 01:31 AM 297,159 EULA.RTF

So if you ever find a questionable file that you don't know if it belongs to FS or not, write down the name of the file, open up packlist.txt and try to "Find" the file name in the list uses the find feature, if the file is found, it belongs to FS if no matches are found, it does not belong to the FS installation and possibly was installed by another add-on.

I recommend that you do this when you do a fresh install and install everything that you need, then just keep the packlist updated by creating new ones or name them accordingly for later access and removal of things.

The dir command is very powerful, become familiar with the many /[switches] and you can customize the packing list. I use it a lot for simple tasks that surprisingly Windows itself can't do.

[thrillsandchills]

Thanks for taking the time to write all that.

I'll get to it asap.

I also, unzip to temporary folders, as described in a previous post...

My question is, after I remove the aircraft from the aircraft folder, are the "bits and pieces" that are left over anything to worry about regarding "game" performance, or the space they take up?

Mainly, I've downloaded Freeware zip files that do not self install. The ATR (when I bought it) in May 2012 came with a self installer; but that is the only one installed on the system.

Thanks in advance,

Thrills And Chills

[+mrfaosfx]

If it is a payware add-on then you have something to worry about or if the add-on overwrote some of your gauges with new versions this could present a potential problem for other add-ons as the new gauges may be incompatible with other add-ons, developers don't realize how much damage they do when this happens.

Let me me share this small story that happened last weekend. I was recently experiencing a degrading performance on my system, my gmax was laggy, everything was laggy.

I sat down cleaned out my system, took all the dust out from the cpu fan and put it back together and that made me feel good but it didn't make the problem go away, it was still laggy, something else was slowing it down and I figured out what it was.

I ended up creating another user account in Windows and transferred all my stuff to the new account and magically, I had better system performance on that account in games, I would get my usual 60 fps but for some reason on my old admin account, my games lagged like no tomorrow and some stuff didn't work right, this is usually a sign of a corrupted registry, the values stored in your registry greatly affect the performance of your system.

You see when you install and uninstall programs, you don't know what's being added to your windows registry. The windows registry is an enormous file that actually sits in system memory and any program can access data on it on command in the blink of an eye.....as your windows installation ages and gets older, the size of the registry grows to tremendous size so much that it begins to affect system performance, not only because of its size but also because of the corruption that happens within from the many trash programs that lurk around the internet by developers who don't bother to go the extra mile, SPECIALLY when its something they are receiving no compensation for, so it is your problem, the DISCLAIMER is pretty much their excuse.

Most Windows programs when uninstalled, always leave stuff behind on the registry, either that or the uninstall program fails completely and your stuck with 'dessert zones' in your system registry, entries that do nothing more than take up memory.

It's how spyware and viruses corrupt you, they deceive the OS by planting false information into the system registry and the registry is pretty much OPEN to any program unless you are the type of person who just clicks OK and YES when you should be reading what the message says and clicking CANCEL or NO.

I guess what I'm telling you is, if you feel your system performance is beyond laggy, create another user account and transfer all your data to the new account, trust me, you will notice a tremendous change in the way Windows operates.

Reformatting a computer is NEVER the answer, your going to think I'm crazy but, I'll say this again; the best course of action to consider first is to create another administrator account, transfer your data and purge the account where world world III took place.

I say that because it seems like you want to keep everything organized. It's quite remarkable really that I keep my computer more organized than I do my room! my car, my phone, computer and myself all organized but room is rarely ever maintained to the same degree, just a fan fact about me.

[thrillsandchills]

Thanks again for writing all that.

Earlier last year I wanted to install some type of program (sim related) in some fashion, and you need "administrative privileges" to install it. So, after an enormous amount of surfing, to try and find out what that was, I finally, added an account, (that being "Administrator" ) Since I am the admin, it's a little redundant, and little, if no risk involved; since I'm the only one who uses the computer here.

The only program on the other account is that one. Is everything still ok, as per your last post?

Thanks in advance,

Thrills and Chills

[+mrfaosfx]

On my system, yes, my computer is just fine.

[garryrussell]

Runing CCleaner ofter removes a lot of junk and registry issues.

[Jetranger]

Heres what I do to install Aircraft , scenery mainly.

also, how I Un-Install any Aircraft , Scenery.

I use 2 computers, 1 computer is only for Flight Simulator basically, its all I use it for, and its Amped up with extra componets.

I use my main Computer for downloading Aircraft, scenery, browsing the net, for such things, and research, music, Emails etc.

I always download Aircraft / scenery on #1 computer and store them in a seperate "Folder" titled as such

Downloaded Aircraft

I have another "Folder" , titled Downloaded Aircraft finished.

The latter just means I've already Transferred / Copied & pasted that particular Aircraft on over to my main Flight Sim Computer for flying.

The reason I keep them in seperate folders is because - I may not get around to swapping them right away, it may be a few days, so I need to remember whats waiting to be transferred over, and whats already been transferred ,,,

Also,, ***** NOTE****** IF I should decide the Aircraft is not up to par, or its like from Flight Sim 1998 or 2000, yet titled in the downloads section from ABC Web site as an FSX or FS 2004 aircraft and its not,,, I can very easily go back to the MAIN Download computer,, #1,, and find that particular Aircraft FOLDER and ALL its contents,, and then JUMP back over to the Flight Sim Computer sitting next to me,,, and begin chasing down ANY & ALL files thats Associated with that particular Aircraft that I'd like out of Flight Sim Computer #2.

Its really very Simple, Easy, Definetly worth while, and saves a lotta Headaches in the long run from downloads and supposed programs from messing up a good Flight Sim Computer, not to memntion the tons of Hours of Frustration, Anger, Cuss Words - High Blood Pressure and maybe even your pocket book financially if something goes terribly wrong !!!

Essentially I have Computer #1 ( Main )
and Computer #2 ( Flight Sim )

I can attest to keeping and making an "Organized" Folder Structure within your Computer somewhere of your choosing,,,

mine happens to be a system of easy to use & simple Folders , thats set up in my PICTURES Folder within Windows 7,,

I do the same for Scenery too

Scenery ready to Install ( folder )

Scenery already Installed ( Folder )

Then - - when I've copied any Scenery from the Ready to Install folder into my Flight Simulator,,,, I go back and copy that particular folder on my main computer - and put the entire scenery Folder into the "Scenery Already Installed" Folder, where it will sit for a few weeks or a month or if I decide to copy it to a CD Disk and save
It.

I have found quite a few Aircraft I didn't like, and was able to completely un-install and remove the aircraft, all its guages, Effects, modules, etc,,,

having the actual download on another computer really helps me chase the download down I wanna "Un-Install" should there be problems with the aircraft or - should it cause unstability issues with the Flight Sim Computer, I can easily find the "FILE" thats the culprit and remove it ,,, and Presto' my sim will usually snap back to normal hopefully ,,,,,

I Rarely Rarely use Auto-Installers to guide whatever , who knows what Junk into lord only knows what some of these so-called Aircraft & scenery designers actually put in to the download folder structure,.

I kinda compare it to, walking into a "New Car Dealership", Blind Folded - and being expected to pick out that Brand New Cadillac , while your "Blind Folded"

Only to Find out - after you made the "Choice",, you ended up with a 1965 Holliday Rambler or some Rusted Out beater Station Wagon,,,with the windows all broken out .

Frankly, I prefer to know what I'm getting into "Beforehand",, and at least have some sort of Clue, or Insight as to whats about to take place, beforehand, meaning, I don't like Surprises that are NOT good !

Especially Costly ones that hit my pockets or Rob me of Excessive time that I could be doing other things, as I'm going thru right now with Flight 1 Software problems !!! ( See HJG Help Section).

I've spent countless hours trying to figure out some download that had folders within folders within more folders - within even more folders only to find out, it was nothing more than screen shots of the aircraft I downloaded ,,, and way to large and NOT in the right Format for flight simulator either,,, their supposed to be Thumbnails and thumbnail size too,,, not Sized, for an Art Gallery !

I once in the beginning when I didn't know anybetter , just thought Self Installers did just that, found everything where it needed to go, and Presto' I was good to go,,,

WRONG !!!

That Self Installer put files & Folders everywhere but where they were supposed to go - no wonder I couldn't find that Aircraft ??

The Aircraft was in a Zip folder, which that it self was in another Zip folder, within another zip folder,,,

the guages were also in a sorta mess, and NOT going to work, as I later found out,, in the flight sim I was using, there from FS98 according to the start up screen,,, won't load guages ,,,

I still get that to this day on some Aircraft thats been a PORT-OVER from someone,, usually anymore a Flight Sim Aircraft from 2002 - 2000 or even 1998 depending on what i've downloaded ,,,

tho it may be labeled & titled for FSX or 2004,, it isn't really !!!

Anymore I've got fairly picky where I get aircraft from,, and from who,, and thats why, 1 of about 10 reasons really.

I've spent all the time I'm gonna spend trying to fix somebodys mis-represented - mis-titled - mis-labeled Aircraft, when it really isn't for whatever sim they say its for, in the 1st place.

Thankfully, thru my Pickyness and being stubborn, I've gort some really great Aircraft & scenery in my FSX Flight sim,,

to date : just over 4,187 Aircraft installed in my Simulator, FSX Gold / Acceleration edition.

I have hardly if any very few problems with my Sim,, I'd rather Spend time Flying, painting, the aircraft than having to constantly Fix & Tinker with my computer because of in-appropriate downloads !

Thankfullly , This site here - Historic Jetliners Group ( HJG) I can say has Great Reputable downloads that can be Trusted !!

Whats more, their done right, they way their supposed to be too !!
Simple & Clean without a redundt amount of extra un-necessary Litter attached to them !!

Thank You HJG !!!

Now , how do I post this Screen Shot ?? ?

Jetranger ;D