It doesn't matter if it's in the same folder or not. When both the game and MCFM is active, then MCFM should be able to recognise it's there.
Common issues are as follows:
<LI>1. Pirated copy of game (either downloaded or CDR). Mind Compression offer no support to thieves. Don't expect any help if you have a pirated copy.
<LI>2. Cracked (generally a no-cd crack) in place. Again, cracks are not supported and we do not help thieves who have done this.
<LI>3. Not having the game open (and loaded) when MCFM is started.
<LI>4. The flux capacitor in the Delorian (a problem that we've never been able to fix).
<LI>5. The computer being switched off when the person attempts to run the game.
<LI>6. An old version of FM 2005 (5.0.5 required - Recommended install order should be 5.0.2 and then 5.0.5 (you should include the official data update in your patch version)).
<LI>7. An old version of MCFM installed (0.5.0 is the latest available from a number of good sites (and possibly some sh*t ones too!

)).
<LI>8. Editing the database (using a pregame editor) for the game which you are running.
<LI>9. Using the FM Modifier (although it's not official, we have had a couple of people tell us that they used FM Modifier and MCFM did not work correctly afterwards. I cannot say for definate though so please don't take this as a reason not to use FM Modifier (it's just a possibility, that's all)).
<LI>10. Not being logged into the administrative account when you:
<LI>a) Install the game.
<LI>i> You should install the game in an [b]admin[b/] account.
<LI>b) Run the game from a different account from which you installed the game.
<LI>ii> Run the game in the SAME [b]admin[b/] account from which you installed the game (some problems if I remember with registry settings).
Check ALL of these options and I stress issue 6 when I say this. If you installed 5.0.3 or any other patch besides 5.0.2 or 5.0.5 then I recommend that you uninstall it and re-install the FULL patch versions including the official data update. Try not to include any superpacks or third party add-ons and try the game