install fx

No color, go to the graphics tab in the Sims menu and uncheck the DirectX box.
Parts of aircraft missing, your video card can't handle it, lower some of your slides especially autogen, shadows, clouds and AI.

it worked... I knew it had to be simple Thanks

Well it worked for a bit... Flew a few planes.. logged off... Then logged back on... picked a plane... and pressed fly now... and then everything stops... the system stops working.... I reload and change the settings... re-click direct x... and it works again only without the paint.... errrr....

Ideas??

Leave DX unchecked.

If it's a laptop then you are pushing it way beyond what it was built for.
Keep some of the slides low, autogen low and shut off shadows and AI.

8 gig Ram 1T hard drive....

Not a lap top..

Windows 8

That amount of ram is good.

What about the CPU, power supply and video card.
If it's an integrated card then that's the reason you can't load too much on it, it's not made for gaming.
If it's a stand alone card you might be able to get a better one.

Craziest thing... I went back and clicked direct x... All standard files work... I loaded a cessna cardinal... it worked... I loaded a huge file.. P180 it works... the other files I loaded earlier still have no paint... I am just going to delete them... I have no idea how to get them to work..

If most work, leave it alone.
Enjoy!