Okay, just got done messing with a lot of stuff.
SO, I tried the fps tweek from here:
http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showthread.php?t=21048
Big improvement for me, and my very modest computer. I jumped from around 22-25 fps average to 30-34 fps with everything on low, except models, which I had at Medium. So, I decided to try turning some things up.
First, I tried High on the models. Everything worked fine. I tried going to medium on Landscape, and then on terrain shading. This worked at first, but dropped my frames down to 16-21fps average. Now, I decided to see which one was causing the biggest impact, detail, or shading, and at the same time decided to enable complex engine management, as I had it off before in order to facilitate easier dogfighting at such low fps. All of a sudden, no matter what combination of graphics settings I tried, I would get a CTD around 40%, or 70%.
Getting frustrated, I tried setting everything back to the way I had it, minus CEM. Still getting a CTD. Okay, so I turned off CEM. Everything started right up. WTF?! I have a Saitek X-45, Throttle Quadrant, and Combat Rudder Pedals. I messed with this for awhile, looking at the control panel, and checking everything in game to make sure it works. Eventually I figured out that
the only time I can successfully start the game is when my controls are completely neutral, and my Throttle Quadrant levers are perpendicular to the floor. Weird.
After figuring this out, I went through a frustrating process of turning things up one at a time, and restarting the game to make sure the settings saved (if I get a CTD, my settings refer back to what they were before I changed them). I thought I had everything good, so I set everything to low, except models at High, CEM off, and the no SSAO and lowtex tweaks from the above thread. Now I get another CTD. Frustrated, I just said the hell with it, and turned Visual Effects on Medium, and Damage Decals to Medium, exited, restarted, and just tried it. Low and behold, it started. Weird.
So, until I try it again, and get another CTD, the settings I'm working with are Models: High
Visual Effects: Medium
Damage Decals: Medium
Forests: Very Low
CEM turned On.
Everything else, low, or turned off. FPS tweaks no SSAO, and Lowtex are enabled (nomipmaps seems to crash my install everytime).
Right now, I have a feeling that without my controls set in the right spots as I mentioned above, that's what's causing my CTDs. I could be wrong, but that's the only constant beside nomipmaps.