This article describes how to optimize game performance in Microsoft Train Simulator.

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To optimize performance in Train Simulator, find a balance between the number of sound and display features you turn on and the frame rate you can maintain. The frame rate is the speed that images or frames are drawn on the screen. It is frequently measured in frames per second (fps). The appearance of realistic motion improves as the frame rate increases. To check the frame rate, press SHIFT+Z while operating your train.

Performance in Train Simulator depends on both the features that you select and the configuration of your computer. A set of features that you select on one computer may not result in the same level of performance as the same set of features on a different computer.

A computer that has a fast Pentium processor, sufficient memory, a three-dimensional (3-D) video accelerator card, and the latest device drivers can maintain a higher level of performance than a computer that barely meets the minimum system requirements.

To optimize performance in Train Simulator, optimize your hardware configuration, configure Train Simulator for the best performance, and then monitor the frame rate when you select your preferred features and settings.

To optimize performance, use any of the following methods.

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Method 1: Optimize Performance on Microsoft Windows 2000-based Computers

1.	Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC.
2.	On the Applications tab, click any program, and then click End Task. Repeat this step to quit all nonessential programs that are running on your computer.
3.	Quit Windows Task Manager.

Note Some programs start automatically every time you restart your computer. For information about how to turn off these programs, see the printed or online documentation for the program.

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Method 2: Reduce Graphics Quality Settings in the Game

To lower the resolution and turn off graphic features in the game, follow these steps:

1.	On the Train Simulator startup screen, click Options.
2.	Click Display.
3.	In the Display Resolution box, click 640 X 480 x 16.
4.	Move the Overall Display Quality slider all the way to the left to Best Performance.
5.	Click the Save arrow.

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Method 3: Reduce Sound Quality Settings in the Game

1.	On the Train Simulator startup screen, click Options, and then click Sound.
2.	Move the Quantity of Sounds slider all the way to the left to Low.
3.	Click the Save arrow.

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Method 4: Use the Microsoft Train Simulator Troubleshooter

When you install the game, the Train Simulator Troubleshooter is installed. You can use the Train Simulator Troubleshooter to customize the startup process to help resolve certain problems that you may experience when you try to start or play the game.

To use the Train Simulator Troubleshooter, follow these steps:

1.	Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Games, point to Train Simulator, and then click Train Simulator Troubleshooter.
2.	Click Troubleshooting.
3.	Click to select all the check boxes.
4.	Click OK.
5.	Click Play Train Simulator.

For additional information about how to use the Train Simulator Troubleshooter, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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Method 5: Turn on Features or Increase Settings in the Program

To finish optimizing performance in Train Simulator, use the methods that are described earlier in this article to turn on features or increase settings one at a time. To turn on more features, start with your favorite features, and stop before the minimum frame rate decreases to a level that you consider unacceptable. To display the frame rate, press and hold down the SHIFT key as you press Z two times.

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Method 6: Improve your Hardware by Adding Better Hardware

•	Add more Random Access Memory (RAM) RAM is your computer's short-term memory. A computer writes data to the hard disk temporarily if RAM is full. This can slow down processing time. The more RAM you have, the faster your computer can process data.
•	Upgrade your graphics card Graphics cards with 3-D technology are advancing at a great rate. Newer graphics cards operate faster and have more on-board RAM than older graphics cards. This can improve graphics performance remarkably.
•	Obtain a faster processor A computer with a faster CPU generally gives you better performance.
•	Experiment The best way to make Train Simulator run the way you want it to is to experiment. Change something, then check the performance and readjust if you have to. A good way to compare performance levels with different settings is to check the frame rate--the speed, displayed in frames per second (FPS)--at which your screen is being updated.

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Method 7: Improve Game Performance

For additional information about how to improve game performance, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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