FS: "Scenery Read Error" error message when you try to start a flight

When you try to start a flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator, you may receive an error message that resembles one of the following: When you try to start a flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002, you may receive an error message that is similar to one of the following: -or- -or- where <scenery path and file> is the path and file, and the <area> is the area in question.

This issue may occur if the Flight Simulator installation process is corrupted.

To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order presented.

Method 1: Remove program, delete program folder, clean-boot, reinstall program

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
   
   Note On a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer, click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. On the Install/Uninstall tab, double-click Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000, Flight Simulator A Century of Flight, or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002, and then follow the steps to remove the program.

Delete the FS2000, FS2002, or Flight Simulator 9 folder

1. Click Start, click Run, type "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Games" in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. In the Microsoft Games dialog box, right-click the FS2000, FS2002, or Flight Simulator 9 folder, and then click Delete.
3. Close the Microsoft Games dialog box.
4. In the Microsoft Games dialog box, right-click the FS2000, FS2002, or Flight Simulator 9 folder, and then click Delete.
5. Close the Microsoft Games dialog box.

Restart the computer by using a clean boot procedure

When you start Microsoft Windows, typically there are several programs that start automatically and run in the background that may interfere with the game. These programs may include antivirus and system utility programs. When you perform a clean boot, you prevent these programs from starting automatically. You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

To restart the computer by using a clean boot procedure, follow these steps when you are using Windows XP.

Note You may experience a temporary loss of some services functionality when you follow these steps. Restoring the settings restores the functionality, but may result in the return of the original error message or behavior.

1. Click Start, click Run type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. On the General tab, click Selective Startup.
3. Under Selective Startup, click to clear the following check boxes:
   • Process SYSTEM.INI File
   • Process WIN.INI File
   • Load Startup Items
4. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box, and then click Disable All.
5. Click OK, and then click Restart.

Click the Play button to view this streaming media demonstration.

For more information or to view steps for other operating systems, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: After you perform a clean boot, empty the temporary folder in Windows. To do this, use the method that is appropriate for your system.

Reinstall the program

Insert CD1 of the Flight Simulator CD package in your computer's CD or DVD drive, and then follow the steps to install the program.

Method 2: limit memory

To do this, use the appropriate steps for your situation.

Microsoft Windows XP

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the Boot.ini tab.
3. Click Advanced Options.
4. Click to select the /MAXMEM= check box, type 850 (or type a lower number), and then click OK.
5. Click Apply, and then click OK.
6. When you are prompted, restart the computer.

Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 or Microsoft Windows 2000

1. Log on to Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 2000 as Administrator.
2. Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open box, and then click OK.
3. Change to the root directory of the system partition where Boot.ini, Ntdetect.com, and NTLDR reside. (This is typically the C:\ partition.)
   
   For example, type c:, press ENTER, type cd\, and then press ENTER.
4. Type attrib -a -h -s boot.ini, and then press ENTER.
5. Type copy boot.ini boot.old.
   
   Note This creates a backup copy of the Boot.ini file and names it Boot.old.
6. Type edit boot.ini, and then press ENTER.
7. Use the ARROW keys to move to the end of the ARC path that you want under [operating systems].
8. Type /MAXMEM=256.
   
   For example, the ARC path may appear as follows:
   
   multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect /MAXMEM=256 and so on.
9. Press ALT+F, and then press S.
10. Press ALT+F, and then press X.
11. Type attrib +a +s +h boot.ini, and then press ENTER.
12. Type exit, and then press ENTER.
13. Restart the computer.

For more information about the MAXMEM Option in Windows, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Windows Millennium Edition or Windows 98

1. Click Start, click Run, type msconfig in the Open box, and then click OK.
2. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
3. In the Advanced Troubleshooting Settings dialog box, click to select the Limit memory to check box, and then select the appropriate option.
4. Click OK two times.
5. Click Yes when you are prompted to restart the computer.

Note After you have limited the available memory on your system, repeat Method 1.