Details of the exact wording of the error message might be helpful. Many of the older utilities rely on VBasic or C++ run-time libraries that may need to be installed as well. It may also be necessary to install the program in a sub-directory that is NOT in the default Program Files folder, as one does with FS9 itself.

I went into the Steam App and did the Validate Files option. It showed a lot of corrupted ones, then rebuilt them. Now a bunch of addpon sceneries are looking right, although Megascenery still doesn't look that much better than default. It should, right??? I still have no traffic, even at major airports like LAX, PHX.....

Another awesome flight Herman! Another instructional flight well flown! Love the scenery, static planes and all! I like how you spent some time outside cockpit as it's not all business but some fun! Rick

Boss pulling out the big guns! Exquisite selection sir. I'll put the kettle on. 😄

Update downloaded, installed and ran fine for a quick flight for me.   Perusing through the thread I'm assuming you're referencing over at Avsim, and half of it is people just talking about the update being available and their download experience (seems to be better than some previous updates), and complaints about the Dune loading screen. Some have had problems, but not sure I would categorize it as a dumpster fire.

Air Caraibes |  Alenia ATR72-500 | F-OIJH |  St. Lucia, George F. L. Charles Airport | TLPC / SLU |  Air Caraibes ATR Departing out of St. Lucia, bound for Aruba. 

The new games, sorry, be something I'll be happily passing up this lifetime. Flight sims went uphill till FS2004, then the decline started. I'll stay at the peak.

i tried emailing Thomas but his email is invalid. I had to get a new PC and reinstall everything with FS 2004. the only issue i am currently having is when i try to decompile the flight plans for fs9 it gives me the traffic tools error. I have traffic ttools compiler and decompiler in the ttools sub folder per the readme file but alas it still is not working.    any one have any ideas what could be causing this? thanks in advance.

I appreciate the suggestions. I did delete a few addon sceneries (not all of them...) and restarted FSX and the default scenery loaded with no issues, and looked the same as when the addons were enabled. My scenery.cfg shows all the addons with the correct location. I have no addon AI traffic, at least I don't recall ever adding any.  

Didnt yal get a su-15 as well? Over on avsim it is 13 pages of dumpster fire since the update

My first suggestion would be to disable all add-on scenery and add-on ai traffic, then restart FSX. After that is done, does FSX function normally, i.e. initial install normal.? If so, enable add-ons, one at a time followed by FSX restart to check that each works once enabled. If not, you may need to reinstall (or do a repair install) of FSX. This is just a quick down and dirty suggestion based on the info you provided.  

I saw that it was being offered, but to be honest I'm only interested in piston aircraft - I don't think I've ever tried any of the jet airliners.

I am an experienced FSX user. 2 things stumping me- the first may have been an issue since I installed FSX-SE and the 2nd one just started recently.   1- I have my addon sceneries, airports, MegaScenery, etc. in an extenal SSD. I add them all through normal methods and show as enabled in the scenery libraruy. But they are not showing in the sim. For instance, MegaScenery Arizona. The Grand Canyon is supposed to be pretty detailed but it shows as generic, bland, colorless, no trees around it, etc. If I disable it in the scvenery library (going back to the default scenery) it actually looks better- trees around the area, more detailed peaks, etc. My other addons, freeqware scenery and airports likeise look the same weather enabled or default.   2- It seems I have zero AI traffic at major airports, whether default or addon. My traffic settings are about 3/4 up. (I disabled Aircraft casts ground shadows after reading that suggestion somewhere.)   I get no error messages when starting up FSX and otherwise the sim runs fine on a pretty modern PC. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Pete

Have you checked the below sliders (in red) ?     Wim

I may be misquoting him but I think Richard Bach said, "Maybe my perfect plane is many planes."   RealAir Siai Marchetti SF.260 Dave Molyneaux Auster AOP-9 Iris Pilatus PC-9/9A (not sure this one really qualifies though)   Depending on my mood, I guess.   D