After playing FS 2002 earlier today, I go back and play it again, but it is running extremely slow. Everything has worked perfectly before, but not now. Everytime I change views, then go back to the default cockpit view forward, the game freezes for a few seconds. Everytime I hit the GPS button, then close it, the game freezes for a few seconds as well.

This is annoying, whats going on?

Seems to me that something may be running in the background, probably hogging RAM and Processing power. Makesure all programs in the task bar (including anti-virus, but I'd leave internet security programs on unless you have dial-up) are closed. Also when it comes to Microsoft flight simulators, the Nvidia version 30.82 drivers are the only stable driver set. Other drivers corrupt certain M$ sims. (ie vers 40+ corrupts CFS3 where vers 43.00 corrupts FS2002)