Thank you very much Mark for the help. In the first instance it sounds like the problem I am having is related to the problem you encountered in your empty C172 tanks-restart test. The difference though is you unloaded the tanks then swapped to the C130 if I follow. For me it is a situation of a modified FLIGHTSIM.FLT (why MS put the file name in all caps escapes me) file so every time I load or reset a plane it comes up empty. The fuel tanks in the C130 are coming up empty in my case; however, the engines are running. If I load another plane the flight will start with the engines off and the fuel empty. If I load the C130 back it will start with the same engines running that I left running at the time I ended the flight and as mentioned the fuel tanks will be empty. My apology for that being such a long explanation. I hope I didn't just confuse you. Speaking of the modified file I use I found it on the net if you are interested. It is great for setting 'cold and dark' at startup. Just make sure you are on the ground.  ;D

Interesting on the next point. In my VC and 2D cockpit the switch is in sync. However, in my 2D cockpit and autopilot popup panel they are not in sync. So you suspect this may be an installation gone bad. Indeed that is a possibility. I would attempt a reinstall .