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Diagnosing "User's" Simconnect problems

Geoff_D

Geoff_D

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unitedstates
I am new to FSX Simconnect, having just released my first add-on, using C# / Simconnect.

Of the 400+ people who have installed the add-on, a few (approx 10 ) have had problems.

One had a corrupted .net install, fixed by uninstalling all .net versions, and then doing a fresh install.
(Needed a tool to remove a corrupted 2.0 .net install, that would not repair or uninstall by itself !!)

3 had corrupted Ariel narrow fonts !!

Still have a few to sort out, including one running German XP + German FSX, and one running Swedish.

I am not a commercial developer, but if I was, and offered tech support to get my product working on PCs that had "problems", I would see an unacceptable amount of my small profits, going in tech support.

------------------

Maybe, what would greatly help would be a custom Diagnostic program, that a user could run, that would check these associated function on their PC, and produce a simple PASS/FAIL report.

ie.
Version of Simconnect installed.
Correctly installed in GAC
.net versions installed.
VS2005 c++ SP1 library installed.
Basic C++ Simconnect application works
Basic C# Simconnect application works
Ariel fonts in application works without exceptions
etc

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The closest thing I have so far found to such a Diagnostic tool, is Peter Dowson's FSUIPC Install program, that does a great job in reporting some of the above, but I don't believe it addresses any of the C# issues.??

Anyway, unfortunately, such a Diagnostic program is beyond my current abilities to produce, but maybe if someone else thinks it might be helpful, they might consider developing such a Diagnostic program.

It could even become an evolving, ultimate FSX Diagnostic tool, testing a growing list of problems that have been identified as occurring on systems running FSX.

---------------

Here is a thought:-

Just about EVERYONE associated with MSFS, has heard of Peter Dowson and FSUIP. By producing FSUIPC, Peter has become very well know & respected in the FS community. If Peter was to produce another product, I suspect that, based on his reputation, an enormous number would want that product.

I could see a similar thing happening to anyone, or any FSX Developer, that developed a comprehensive Diagnostic program for FSX.

Imagine, as a developer, having a program, that everyone wanted to download the latest version of, to TEST out their PC for FSX and FSX add-on compatibility !! ( and that also announced & promoted their latest Payware FSX products, and cut down on their tech support costs)

Geoff_D
 
There are a couple of diagnostic tools out there but they test the requirements for a specific application - not exactly what you are suggesting. FMIstall Test (For FollowMe) makes some check and ADE has an environment checker written by Martin Gossmann (gsnde) that checks most of the common requirements for FSX addons to run correctly
 
It is my understanding that some installation utilities have most of the "hooks" or provisions for testing file version, environment variables, hardware at the time of deployment. The one feature I like about using Visual Studio's setup projects to deploy .NET apps is that most of the .NET environment setup is already tested for you, and installed if needed with the proper merge modules.

Visual Studio setup project deployment page:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/996a3fxs.aspx

Visual Studio setup project conditional deployment page:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cz6k1z02.aspx

Another example of an installer that can be used for this purpose:
http://www.clickteam.com/eng/installcreator.php

Hope this helps.

Etienne
 
ziporama said:
It is my understanding that some installation utilities have most of the "hooks" or provisions for testing file version, environment variables, hardware at the time of deployment. The one feature I like about using Visual Studio's setup projects to deploy .NET apps is that most of the .NET environment setup is already tested for you, and installed if needed with the proper merge modules.

Visual Studio setup project deployment page:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/996a3fxs.aspx

Visual Studio setup project conditional deployment page:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cz6k1z02.aspx

Another example of an installer that can be used for this purpose:
http://www.clickteam.com/eng/installcreator.php

Hope this helps.

Etienne
Click to expand...

Thanks Etienne, it helps.

However, am still in the belief that a comprehensive Diagnostic program, that check the "Current" condition of a PC, to be configured correctly, specifically for FSX, would be a valuable tool.

I do not believe that existing tools, developed for individual applications, fully test the PC, as they only typically test for those items that that developer has felt it necessary to to test for, for their own application.

A program that gave a comprehensive report on the PC, would be most informative, when trying to trouble shoot a FSX application / add-on.

For Example. A full report on what .Net versions are installed, AND something that ran a diagnostic, using each .net version, to indicate that it was installed correctly.
( Had numerous occasions where .net 2.0 was installed, but had an installation problem. Removing & re-installing .net, solved the problems)

Same goes for VS2005 C++ library. Corrupted Ariel Fonts, incorrect or inconsistent FSX registry values.
( Have seen FSX "setup" path vary from machine to machine, some have trailing /, some don't -- etc etc)
Correct Version if SDK, correct and working Simconnect install. Valid FSX XML files. etc etc

Then to go on to find missing textures and bmps for installed aircraft and scenery.

Example:
I recently installed the "FREE" FSInsider Cessna C150.
Looked fine, until I wanted to replace the "De-certified Narco radio", with a modern radio. Ran Panel Studio, and it found 2 missing Bitmaps.

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The idea of a Comprehensive, generic, FSX diagnostic program seemed to me, to be a "Killer App", waiting to be written.
So I am just passing on the idea, in the hope that someone more talented than me, might think the same, and decide to write it.

Geoff_D
 
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