Microsoft KB Archive/314507

= FS2002: Error Message When You Start: &quot;System Is Not Able to Use Hardware Acceleration&quot; =

Article ID: 314507

Article Last Modified on 1/31/2007

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional Edition
 * Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Standard Edition

-



This article was previously published under Q314507



SYMPTOMS
When you start Microsoft Flight Simulator, you may receive a message similar to the following:

System is not able to use hardware acceleration.



CAUSE
This behavior can occur if your video card is using outdated drivers, or it does not meet the minimum system requirements as listed on the product package.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented.

Method 1: Download and Install the Current Version of Microsoft DirectX
NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

To download and install Microsoft DirectX, see the following Microsoft Web site. Click the link appropriate to your version of Microsoft Windows. The installation proceeds automatically.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.mspx

For additional information about how to install the latest version of DirectX, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

179113 How to Download and Install DirectX

Method 2: Download and Install the Current Version of the Video Driver

 * 1) Identify the manufacturer and model of your video adapter. For more information about how to identify your video adapter, see the &quot;More Information&quot; section of this article.
 * 2) For information about how to obtain and install the latest driver for your video card, contact your video adapter manufacturer.

WORKAROUND
To work around this issue, use the following methods in the order in which they are presented.

Method 1: Reduce the Graphics Hardware Acceleration Setting
NOTE: When you reduce the graphic hardware acceleration setting, your computer's graphics performance may be reduced. In addition, applications that require 3D acceleration to run may not start if you reduce the hardware acceleration setting to Basic or None.

To reduce the graphics hardware acceleration setting, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
 * 2) Double-click System.
 * 3) On the Performance tab, click Graphics.
 * 4) Move the Hardware Acceleration slider until it is one notch to the right of None (the Basic acceleration setting).
 * 5) Click OK, and then click Close.
 * 6) When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.

Method 2: Enable Direct3D

 * 1) Click Start, and then click Run.
 * 2) In the Open box, type dxdiag, and then press ENTER.
 * 3) Click the Display tab.
 * 4) Ensure that Direct3D Acceleration is enabled. If not, click Enable.
 * 5) Click Exit.



How to Identify the Manufacturer and Model of your Video Adapter
To identify your video adapter, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, and then click Run.
 * 2) In the Open box, type dxdiag, and then press ENTER.
 * 3) Click the Display tab.
 * 4) Note the manufacturer and model of your video adapter.
 * 5) Click Exit to close the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

For information about how to contact your video adapter manufacturer, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

