New Hard Drive but No FS9 capability

Hello golsonatc!

It's great to hear that you've been enjoying flight simulation for many years, particularly FS2004 (Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight). It's indeed a classic and still holds a special place in the hearts of flight sim enthusiasts.

To get FS2004 up and running again after switching to a new hard drive, you'll need to follow a few steps:

1. Locate your FS2004 installation media: You'll need the original CDs or the digital download version of FS2004 to reinstall the simulator on your new hard drive. If you don't have the installation media, you might need to look for a legitimate copy online or in a local store that sells old software. It's essential to use a legal copy to ensure the best performance and compatibility with addons.
2. Install FS2004: Once you have the installation media, follow the setup process, and install FS2004 on your new hard drive. Ensure that you have administrator privileges on your system during the installation to avoid any issues.
3. Update FS2004 (Optional): While not mandatory, it's recommended to update FS2004 to the latest version (9.1) if you haven't already. You can download the update from our website: FS2004 Update. This update addresses various issues and improves performance.
4. Transfer addons and settings: After reinstalling FS2004, you'll need to transfer your addons and settings from the old hard drive. Locate your backup (if you have one) and copy the addon aircraft, scenery, and weather files to the corresponding FS2004 folders in the new installation. Additionally, copy any configuration files (such as fs9.cfg) to the respective directories to retain your previous settings.

Once you've completed these steps, you should be able to enjoy FS2004 again. Keep in mind that compatibility with modern systems may be limited, but most users can still run FS2004 without major issues.

Regarding Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS), while the process to install and manage addons is different, you can always consider giving it a try. MSFS offers stunning visuals, realistic weather simulation, and an active community of addon developers. However, keep in mind that your FS2004 addons won't be compatible with MSFS.

I hope this helps you get FS2004 up and running again! If you need further assistance, feel free to ask.