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FSX Weird problem and can't figure out why it happens

T

Tomt478

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516
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us-georgia
Maybe someone can help me here. I have noticed that during a flight in the daytime, at certain times, the sun will appear with a distorted 'square' around it. I've replaced the texture file with a known working one and the same thing happens. So I used a texture editor to look at the texture files related to the sun. All of them seem to work fine except for the one named 'sun'. So I replaced it, still same thing. Now, I examined the known working file in the editor and it shows fine as having a resolution of 128x128 bmp 32bit. Now, when I copy that file to the 'texture' folder in FSX, making no changes ,just copying it, the file comes up in the editor as having a resolution of 438x471 bmp 32bit. This produces a blue distorted image. I tried everything to get this file (and only happens with this file) to copy over to the texture folder and maintain its resolution, but everytime I copy it, the resolution changes to the 438x471 and I only copied it, not change it in any way. I cannot in any way get this file to copy over and keep its native resolution of 128x128, it always changes to the 438x471 resolution which FSX cannot read. What the heck is causing the image to change resolution simply by copying and pasting it? Please, can someone explain this?
 
Is your FSX installation in any program files folder? If so, recent operating systems keep a copy of many files in program files folders, and will replace anything you try to do with their copy. I am not aware of any way to fix this problem. That is why it is suggested that you install many flight Sims outside of program files folders.
 
That's what I thought. Can you move an FSX installation to another drive without having to re-install everything. I have a lot of Photoreal Scenery and aircraft/vehicle addons ,plus I have been creating my own airport and have a lot of custom objects and such. I read somewhere that you can just copy the entire FSX directory to a new drive without having to re-install everything, is this true? A lot of my problems started when I upgraded to Win11 from Win10, Win11 is a lot more picky about copying and pasting files. I found that in many cases, you can't just simply copy and paste a file especially if it's anywhere located on your main drive. I found this particularly true with FSX being on my main drive. Whenever I make a change on the airport I am working on, and then re-compile it, there is one CVX file that does not get 'replaced' correctly and it causes strange anomalies in the airport. The only way to fix the anomaly is to delete the file (only that file) then re-compile the airport to let it make a whole new file. It then fixes the anomaly, but this is time consuming to keep having to delete the file and make a new one every time I make a change to the airport. I want to move my FSX to another drive that isn't controlled so tightly by Win11 like the main drive is.
 
Tomt478 said:
Maybe someone can help me here. I have noticed that during a flight in the daytime, at certain times, the sun will appear with a distorted 'square' around it. I've replaced the texture file with a known working one and the same thing happens. So I used a texture editor to look at the texture files related to the sun. All of them seem to work fine except for the one named 'sun'. So I replaced it, still same thing. Now, I examined the known working file in the editor and it shows fine as having a resolution of 128x128 bmp 32bit. Now, when I copy that file to the 'texture' folder in FSX, making no changes ,just copying it, the file comes up in the editor as having a resolution of 438x471 bmp 32bit. This produces a blue distorted image. I tried everything to get this file (and only happens with this file) to copy over to the texture folder and maintain its resolution, but every time I copy it, the resolution changes to the 438x471 and I only copied it, not change it in any way. I cannot in any way get this file to copy over and keep its native resolution of 128x128, it always changes to the 438x471 resolution which FSX cannot read. What the heck is causing the image to change resolution simply by copying and pasting it? Please, can someone explain this?
Click to expand...

Hi again:

In the future, it is best to not edit or substitute any FSX default files.

FYI: Changing FSX 3D environmental lighting is highly complex, as it involves sophisticated knowledge of HLSL and/or other 'shader' code, rather than simple texture edits.


GaryGB
 
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Tomt478 said:
That's what I thought. Can you move an FSX installation to another drive without having to re-install everything. I have a lot of Photo-real Scenery and aircraft/vehicle add-ons, plus I have been creating my own airport and have a lot of custom objects and such. I read somewhere that you can just copy the entire FSX directory to a new drive without having to re-install everything, is this true? A lot of my problems started when I upgraded to Win11 from Win10, Win11 is a lot more picky about copying and pasting files. I found that in many cases, you can't just simply copy and paste a file especially if it's anywhere located on your main drive. I found this particularly true with FSX being on my main drive. Whenever I make a change on the airport I am working on, and then re-compile it, there is one CVX file that does not get 'replaced' correctly and it causes strange anomalies in the airport. The only way to fix the anomaly is to delete the file (only that file) then re-compile the airport to let it make a whole new file. It then fixes the anomaly, but this is time consuming to keep having to delete the file and make a new one every time I make a change to the airport.

I want to move my FSX to another drive that isn't controlled so tightly by Win11 like the main drive is.
Click to expand...

BTW: Both Windows 10 and 11 now mess with security attributes on files and folders in the user profile 'system' area, as well as in areas outside those folder chains, and on all drives; so one must learn how to take ownership and edit security permissions as needed.

That is a study unto itself.


Technically, one can "move" FSX and update its Windows Registry paths, but that requires in-depth knowledge to do properly

I have multiple older FSX installations which I kept by renaming the FSX top folder and moving it, then storing copies of various FSX files from user profile folder chains, and REG files of specific Registry keys for each FSX installation.

However, after making each such backup, I uninstall and reinstall FSX entirely, which typically is at least a 3-step process from Control Panel Programs and Features applet.

Because I purchased 3 different removable media distribution packages of FSX, I have multiple copies I can re-activate as needed.

That also requires in-depth knowledge to do properly.


Since a proper "Repair" of FSX is a 3-Step process just like an un-install / re-install, IMHO it is best to just re-install FSX.


Considering your prior computer hardware and Windows-11 issues, you should re-install FSX entirely onto either another physical drive or your C:\ drive, which ever is your fastest (do not use an external USB drive or flash drive).

Otherwise, install to a new folder created under the root of your C:\ drive.


First, make a complete backup of your FSX non-default personal source / work / project files and folders.


Be certain you have your MS Game Studios activation key for FSX on hand before starting any un-install / re-install procedure.


You may recall this post that describes keeping FSX install source disks on ones drive for faster re-installs:

https://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/t...mountain-using-ade-for-fsx.459364/post-931978

GaryGB said:
If you have the drive space, a FSX reinstall takes ~13 GB and 6 minutes to install on my (prior 3.8 GHz) computer.


I used 'Teracopy' to more quickly copy all my FSX install CDs onto one of my SSD drives so the FSX install runs faster.

FS9 takes only 2 minutes to install. :laughing:


I have numerous old backups of my FS9 and FSX install folder chains, and one each of "active" FS9 and FSX installs.

I also have "active" installs of P3Dv4.x, MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.


BTW: I also have old backup installs of FS8, FS7, and FS98 ...all of which still worked on Win-10.

Available drive space, install time, and patience are the only pertinent issues that may impact a FS reinstall.


Once FS add-on scenery packages are installed, they can be moved around and restored to use in "active" FS installs.

So, it is up to you as to whether you wish to re-install.


I have had to reinstall FSX once due to a purchased faulty payware installer confusing FSX licensing code after 6 mo.


Other than that, MSFS has given me more problems than 2 decades of ACES older FS code ever did.

GaryGB
Click to expand...


As mentioned above, I would use TeraCopy to do all copying in Windows, as it saves time and may help avoid under / over-write errors:

TeraCopy for Windows - Code Sector

Official site of TeraCopy, a free utility designed to copy files faster and more secure. It can verify copied files to ensure they are identical. It skips bad files during copy, not terminating the entire transfer. Seamless integration with Windows Explorer.
www.codesector.com www.codesector.com

I would also allow / configure TeraCopy to become the default engine for all copy operations in Windows subsystem.


Windows Task Manager > {Processes} tab > TeraCopy > Right-click > Set Priority > "RealTime" greatly speeds up file / folder copying.


GaryGB
 
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I'll look into that. Windows 11 does have several file handling problems according to other users. These problems are "slowly" being fixed with updates and as with any MS system, it could take years before they get things working smoothly. they may never get it before a new release of Windows is available. Users just have to 'live with it' as long as they are willing to continue to use MS operating systems. A lot of serious users are switching to non MSOS like Linux or other OS. People are just getting tired of the problems MS poses, and I don't blame them either. I have recently given 'full' access to my system drive and for now has solved the file writing problem.
 
FYI: I have used TeraCopy for decades; it is extremely reliable and trustworthy for ensuring files actually get "written" properly. ;)
 
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