Well, I have moved everything over to the new C: Drive and was hoping against hope that FSX would function without any problems, but no, lol....there are components that are missing now and it says I have to reinstall. So my question: If I run the reinstall (I have FSX Deluxe and Acceleration Discs to install), will that delete all the additional folders from the previous install, (especially in the SimObjects, gauges, effects folders) or will it just reinstall the basic files? Looks like the same will follow for the FS9 Installation.
You can't re-install FSX on top of a previous installation without invoking all kinds of errors.
I'd suggest making a back-up copy of everything you want to keep. Payware may have to be re-installed if it has registry "keys".
If you have access to a 2nd drive for your back-ups, use it. That will allow you to prepare your drive without those files interfering(See Defragging info below).
Windows 7/Vista FSX file locations:
fsx.cfg and GrantedRewards.BIN, {C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX}
Your control settings = Standard.xml {C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\Controls}
Logbook.BIN and flight plan files {C:\Users\User Name\Documents\Flight Simulator X Files}
scenery.cfg {C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\FSX}
Once the back-up is done, un-install FSX Acceleration via Control Panel/Programs and Features. That reverts to FSX/FSX Deluxe(Gold), so, the un-install via Control Panel/Programs and Features will have to be done for that level also.
Once it is removed, be sure that all of the above locations were deleted. If the installer finds any FSX remnants it may give errors. CCleaner, or, other registry cleaners, may find other entries that need to be removed also.
I haven't used it, but, others have faith in Revo Uninstaller.
Once it is completely removed. Reboot, Defrag(DO NOT Defrag an SSD), Reboot.
Install FSX/FSX Deluxe, run the sim for a minute, close it, Defrag, Reboot. My prefered install location is; C:\FSX, not the default; C:\Program Files(x86). A completely different, "FSX only" drive is the ideal location.
Install Acceleration, run the sim for a minute, close it, Defrag, Reboot.
Lots of defrags, and clean boots, but, that will align all of FSX's files on the fastest portion of a mechanical disk, and keep them as sequential as possible for best performance.
For FSX to be as fast as it can be, nothing, except Windows itself, and your browser, should be installed if they reside on the FSX drive.
You may want to uninstall all of your other apps previous to the 1st defrag, before FSX installation.
There are some Defraggers out there(Google) that will place specific apps on the fastest portion of a drive without the need to uninstall others, but, starting clean is my prefered method.
The above is a "stock" post, so, some of it may not apply to your particular situation...Don
Oh! BTW, Welcome back my friend.