This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/utahrails to TrainWeb.US/utahrails.

Before you run out and buy MSTS TrainSim, here are the minimum system requirements from MicroSoft.

1. Multimedia PC with a PII 266 equivalent or higher processor with a 4MB 3D video hardware acceleration or better.
2. Microsoft Win 95, 98, ME or 2000 operating system (Does not support NT).
3. 32MB of RAM for Win 96, 98, ME; 64MB for Win 2000.
4. 500MB of available HD space for minium install.
5. Approximately 1.8 GB for full install.
6. DirectX 7.0a API or later.
7. DirectX 7.0a or later compatible 4 MB video card capable of 800 X 600 resolution in 32K colors. (Note, need 1024 X 768 to run the Activity Editor.)
8. DirectX 7.0a or later compatible sound card with speakers or headphones.
9. 4X or better CD-ROM drive.
10. Mouse.
11. Super VGA, 16-bit color monitor or better supporting 800 X 600 resolution. (Note, need 1024 X 768 to run the Activity Editor.)

What they mean is "It may or may not run with the above." It may not even run on a new computer. What does all this mean you ask?? The following was found out during the first three months. Here is the minimum requirements to get any kind of satisfaction with MSTS.

1. Multimedia PC with a PII 500 equivalent or higher processor with a 8MB 3D video hardware acceleration or better.
2. Microsoft Win 95, 98, ME or 2000 operating system (Does not support NT). Watch out for ME. There have been problems.
3. 128MB of RAM for Win 96, 98, ME; 192MB for Win 2000. Ram is cheap.
4. Forget minimum install.
5. Approximately 3GB for full install. If you don't have that much, buy a new HD or a new computer.
6. DirectX 7.0a API or later. 8.0 is better. There has been problems with 8.1.
7. DirectX 7.0a or later compatible 8MB video card capable of 800 X 600 resolution in 32K colors. (Note, need 1024 X 768 to run the Activity Editor.) As you notice, it says card. If you have intragrated video, buy a new computer. MSTS almost always does not work without a card.
8. DirectX 7.0a or later compatible sound card with speakers or headphones.
9. 4X or better CD-ROM drive. Should have 24X or better.
10. Mouse.
11. Super VGA, 16-bit color monitor or better supporting 800 X 600 resolution. (Note, need 1024 X 768 to run the Activity Editor.)

What I mean by the above is MSTS will run fair with the above. Microsoft says you do not need a Gamers setup to run it. They lie. To run it to the max you need the latest top end gamer.

If you have to buy memory, buy a 256 stick. If you have to buy a video card, buy an NVidia chipped APG 4X 32MB or better. MSTS loves LOVES memory and good video cards.

Before you buy MSTS, make sure you have the latest drivers. If you just bought a computer or new video card you DO NOT have the latest ones. I bought my card last April, CT6971, 32MB DDR, and the CD was two updates behind on a card that was new to the market. What driver do I have and how do I find out.

Right click on My Computer.
Click Propertys.
Click Device Manager
Click + on Display Adapters.
Click on the Adapter (highlite).
Click Properties. This will give you the manufacture and name of card.
Click Driver
Click Driver File Details. This will give you the chip provider (NVidia) and the file # of the driver. (Mine is 4.12.01.0650.)

Now go to the manufactures web site and click on Support/Drivers and find the latest one. It will have the largest number. Download and install. PLEASE READ ANY INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER. After installation, you may have to reset your video. How do I do that you ask??

Click Start
Click Settings.
Click Control Panel.
Double click Display.
Click Settings.
Set the settings.

Best if you reboot after this. I run True Color (32 bit) 800 by 600 pixels.