Mods would be something you added to the install like an enhanced terrain mod.
The only other basic advice I can give is make sure you're running DCS as administrator and that DCS is on your AV allowed list.
I've just been learning to do this with SU-25T. Very easy.
1.As soon as you see something pop up on RWR activate ETS Pod.
2. Turn towards target and slew TDC over threat marker and lock.
3. When in range LA appears. Launch.
Under Options , Misc. there are a number of settings for turning ext. views on/off.
If you're playing MP some servers may not allow external views or even SP missions can have them turned off.
Yes i've heard that added skins would be lost with cleanup. Backup your livery and core mods folder to transfer back or better yet create liveries folder in Saved Games to add them .
If Mig 29 is possibility an earlier clue does point in that direction. I think the first thread was "Have you been over the hump?" and had that polygon image that looks kind of like a wing.
The Mig29 in-game campaign is called "Over The Hump".
Just like to point out that there is no risk of you losing a module or having to re-purchase with Starforce. If you run out of activations you're furnished with one a month from that point forward.