Toasting Aces

Kev2go: Thank you for your candid feedback, I appreciate the help of those of you who offer your answers and assistance. Seems to me, I'll have to once again table my interests in running this program and wait until I can take on the project and afford to build my own computer system. I will take on this project in the future. I just don't know when I'll have the time. Too many higher priorities in my life right now. But, again, I just wanted to say thanks. No need to respond to this reply. :thumbup: Toasting Aces

Hello: It's been a long time since I've visited this site. Why? Bec' my n/book computer was unable to run: Lock On Platinum. I am now considering the purchase of a new comp system. I question w/n the specs on a sys that I am looking at will run this game. The system is: http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/Laptops/hp-15z-laptop-m7s73av-1 I don't know if it will support this game: Lock On Platinum Can somebody chime in on an answer. What is recommended: AMD A6 or A8? How much memory is required: 4, 6 or 8GB? How much Hard drive is really needed: 750GB or 1TB? Regular or Hybrid? If you look at the specs on this machine while configuring it then you'll see what I'm talking about. Thanks

Here's an example of what I'm talking about concerning letters and numbers to id ... Here's an example of what I'm talking about when you look at various computer components. I'm currently reading about adding more ram. The author is referencing LGA1156 and LGA775. I do a search and find out these letters and numbers are referencing mobo's. Okay. So, I continue my search. I find many links to such items. So, I open one just to have a look around. You know to learn something about this item. Of the many items available, I choose to look at: Intel Desktop Board DH55HC - motherboard - ATX - LGA1156 Socket - H55 - LGA1156 Socket. Now, I coulda looked at any other link, but I chose this one because the $88 dollar choice looked like a middle of the road type of choice. Now, I open the link. What do I discover? First of all, this LGA1156 is a socket on the MOBO. Then I look at the description and it says: "The Intel Desktop Board DH55HC is an Intel H55 Express Chipset-based desktop product in full ATX form factor." Look, I'm being a bit funny now, but some of this stuff is just way over my head. I get that it is a motherboard for a desktop. That's not where I get lost. However, what does DH55HC mean? And let's just say I accept that Intel H55 Express Chipset sounds like I'm getting some kind of "computer exotic car" in a chipset. (Please have a good laugh!) However, wha the heck does it mean when they say: "...in full ATX form factor"? This is what I'm talking about in my previous posts. It seems like I've got to do an awful lot of reading and studying to real know what he heck they are talking about.:book: Have a great day. Believe me I'm trying to learn what I can about things.

galagamo: If you or anyone else can address my questions more directly in post #14 then I'd appreciate it. For your review, I repeat the questions here: My current concern is where I will make the various purchases necessary to put a new computer system together. The problem is: if I purchase from the independent manufacturer or vendor then I lose out on the ESP benefits offered by the major computer center. Please advise, and have a great day.

No, no, no...I do indeed have a good grasp of what's in a computer. Oh, I may not know about everything, but I do know about the basic components. The point I was trying to make is that when, for example, I am looking at MOBO's there are many to choose from. The manufactures use product codes that include letters and numbers, which can be confusing to determine which one is better. The same is true, continuing my example, with GPU's. So, when you look at various component choices it can be a challenge figuring out which manufactures product is better. Yes, I agree. I am making time periodically to learn about things. The suggestion to use Google is a good one. I also see you've posted the components of a computer rig which you recommend. Those components may prove to be a good guide. But I am still considering things. Thank you.

To Nomdeplume: It's been a while since our last communication. You may want to review your last post from: 10-16-10 05:29 PM. I am currently considering (time permitting, whenever I can find the time) building my own computer rig. I am concerned about how I will make my component purchases. Needless to say, without the help of a major computer center's sales people, understanding the numbers and letters used to describe the various computer components would be a real challenge. However, I am getting a little bit of a better understanding on things. I gues this just takes time to acquire a better understanding. I am still in the process of taking some time to learn more about things. My current concern is where I will make the various purchases necessary to put a new computer system together. When all the components of the computer system are purchased from a major computer center, they offer a build your own extended service plan (ESP), even when items are purchased two or more components at a time. Now, the purchase of their ESP adds an additional one or two years to the manufacturers usual one year warranty. This has the advantage of making the coverage of the computer parts last for two or three years from the date of purchase. That can be a good thing. But, I wonder how really valuable it is to spend the extra bucks ($100 - $250) for this coverage. I mean if the part is covered for the usual one year and it works fine then why would it go bad after that first year? Of course, you never can tell, but if it works well for the first year then it should continue to last longer, don't you agree? And when it goes bad, you just replace it, which can cost you the same as the ESP anyway. Furthermore, with the ESP the purchaser can call in for tech support on various concerns. This also, as you probably all ready know, can prove to be helpful when needed. Without the ESP this can be a loss of good supportive services from the tech people. Without the ESP, I will be purchasing the computer components from either the manufacturers themselves or a known vendor like Amazon or Ebay. The problem is: if I purchase from the independent manufacturer or vendor then I lose out on the ESP benefits offered by the major computer center. So, I am asking what you think of this situation. How will you advise? Thanks for your assistance. Have a nice day.

Hi all: Just wanted to wish everyone a good spring 2011.

Yeah Baby! Green Bay Packers Win--Superbowl XLV. Now the Packers are rightfully World Champions. My kind of guys. Congratulations! However, the Steelers did play a great game today. Packers 31 v. Steelers 25 Go Packers! Go Packers! Go Packers! Steelers are now Toast! TA "Over and Out!"

Sunday 6 Feb 11 Superbowl XLV Today is Superbowl XLV Sunday. I just have to say hello to me friends in the cyber blue skies. Now, I'm not 100% sure, but I predict the Green Bay Packers are gonna teach the Pittsburgh Steelers a lesson in football. Now, don't kid yourself, the Steelers are a strong team, but they did luck out in the first quarter against the N.Y. Jets. If they didn't make two downs on errors then the Jets would've won that playoff game. So, just to get even for the Jets, I hope that the Green Bay Packers show them Steelers a thing or two. Wait to you cyber pilots see the advertisements. At 3 million for a 30 second ad spot, these commercials are gonna rock baby! I've seen a sneak peak at a couple and ... well, I ain't gonna spoil your excitement. Since they're playin' at Cowboy's stadium, in Dallas, TX, maybe if we're lucky we'll get to see the Dallas Cowboy's Cheerleaders. Men: I'll do a flyby anytime those cheerleaders ask me to do so! I haven't forgotten you pilots up there in cyberspace. I've been taking care of too many things to get back to this project right now. But I'll be doing something about my situation sometime down the line in the future. Enjoy the game and the ads folks! TA "Over and Out!"

Please confirm my realizations in my last post. To all my flight instructors: There are certain things I said in my last post on this thread which I was looking for confirmation of my current understanding of my situation. Anyway, I am considering plans to put together a new computer rig for myself. Aye, I've got some pilot friends up there in the skys that need me. So they are just gonna have to hold their own for a while. I know they've got what it takes. For some reason, I've been convinced that I can place my confidence in their abilities. But I know they need me too. So, even though this process is gonna take a while for me, I'll be rooting for them in the meantime. Stay tuned. I'll be checking in periodically. And probably asking some pertinent questions when necessary. Until then: Beware of the Red Baron. I hear he's hell bent on destroying the good forces. So heads up gentleman. In case, If there's a few female pilots up there in cyberspace then wonderful. We can dance on the clouds, ride the winds, and get the bad guys out of the skies. Bye for now, but I'll be looking back periodically. TA

nomdeplume: Okay, I think I'm starting to understand what is wrong here. You say: "Unfortunately I don't think you'll be able to do anything to dramatically improve the situation." Well, by the looks of things, I think I'm gonna be on the ground for quite sometime. However, I will be considering my situation. I've got a feeling I may need to upgrade my entire computer system in order to engage this program Darn, I was hoping this would not be the case. But I can see now to some degree why I've been getting certain results. I need to understand, however, what are the actual requirements for the LOFC2 program? In an attempt to answer my own question, I am reading from the back of the program casing cover. It says in very very fine print: Minimum System Requirements: Windows XP (which I've got), Vista (I don't got), 7 (I'm thinking of upgrading too); CPU P4.2 GHz (which I only seem to have: Microprocessor1.83 GHz Intel® Centrino® Duo mobile technology featuring Intel® Core™ Duo processor T2400) which according to PeterP is what I've got. Seems I'm missing 2.37 GHz. I hope that's right. And, if it is then I now understand why you all are saying my system is way too slow for this program. Oh Sasperella! That's not good. Ram 2 GB (which I do believe I have more than enough Ram) since I think I've got Memory2048MB 667MHz DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm). If I'm correct then I've got 48MB more than I need. Video 256 MB Ram, compatible with DirectX9 (which I have: Video GraphicsIntel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Video Memory128MB (shared)) This seems a bit short too by 128 MB Ram. And w/n it is compatible with DirectX9, well I don't know. But I do see now how it can be short on Video Memory. And mine is shared, so that might not be too good either. 6 GB HDD space (which I think is related to my computer's Hard Disk.) And I've got: Hard Drive120GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive. That seems like more than enough HDD space. (Sorry about the bold type. But my computer seems to be stuck in Bold. I can't seem to turn it off.) Sound card. DVD ROM. Keyboard. Mouse. All of which I've got. Well, this has certainly been a learning experience. I'm disappointed! But I feel I've met some really great new friends who've tried to be helpful, which I appreciate. I wonder if there's a way to improve my system without having to purchase a new computer. I am not ready at this time to make that kind of a purchase. And, sadly, I may just decide to return this hopefully wonderful program. But, if I do that then I'm still gonna keep my Login Name for this forum. Maybe I'll just keep looking around for now. I'm not sure what I'll be doing. Gee, I sure wish I understood what to look for before I purchased this program in the first place. This program seems so exciting and fun to play around with while learning stuff about aviation. Well, I've got some thinking to do right now. Over and out for now!

To: ApacheDoctor I have looked at the Training section, and I do not see anything related to what you say: "if your confused about the start sequence and aircraft prep, theres a great tutorial under the "TRAINING" section of the Main Menu." There's only 3 sections with various training titles: Flight School; A-10A Thunderbolt II Study; and Su-25 Frogfoot Study. None of the sub titlles in either of these sections matches what you've indicated as: "the start sequence and aircraft prep".

PeterP Thank you for your evaluation of my situation. You say: "You miss in two categories...", however, I am not sure which two categories you are referring. Your marking "the minimum hardware requirements (marked red)" shows me what the minimums are; however, I don't see where my system is falling short. In addition, most of the specs I have a vague idea about, but some I'm not familiar such as: Graphics: 512 MB ATI or nVidia, DirectX 9 compatible; Sound card; 6 GB of free space on HDD; Copy protected, requires internet activation. Some of this stuff is over my head, but I'm learning. I need to know what to do about my situation. What do I need to check or do? Another thing, many times when I go to the program and try to either launch a training or do something like try a mission, Microsoft sends me a message saying the program is not being responsive and needs to close. Now, as per my understanding, once the program has been installed on my computer, I do not need to replace the disc back into my drive in order to work the program. Because the program has all ready been completely installed one time onto my computer. So, I'm still somewhat confused here too. I do believe my thinking is correct. But, for some reason, I need to pose this as a question in need of confirmation.

herig2 Well, I don't know if this is what you want, but I gonna give it a try: I'm using a hp notebook computer with the model number: hp Pavilion dv5237cl. I'm not sure what you want to know exactly. But knowing the model number of my notebook computer should lead you to a specifications site containing all relevant info you may want to know. Hey, by the way, that's a pretty cool jet picture in your response.

nomdeplume: Re: Post 5 this thread. I just read through you post carefully. I have to explore a bit before I can actually see what you are talking about. However, the TrustMaster T.16000M does seem to have a thrust switch. It's located at the front bottom of the control stick. And it seems to operate by moving the selector up or down its path which is about a vertical inch (if that makes any sense to you). To the other responders: thank you. I will report back soon on some of the other comments.