Problem Resolving (FSX)

2011-01-29T04:28:41Z

Tsberry901: /* Keyboard Commands - Printing */

{{:Ambox-Content-WIP}}
{{Infobox-Applicable-FSVersion
| FSXI = false
| FSXA = true
| FSX = true
| FS2004 = false
| FS2002 = false
| FS2000 = unknown
| FS98 = unknown
}}
FS-Developer is intended primarily for development related matters.

However, given the number of queries regarding basic issues,
 
here's a selection of hints & tips for resolving those issues & configuring FSX.

= Startup Issues =
== FSX will not start ==
=== Issue - FSX BSOD ===
Launching FSX causes the operating system to crash, (BSOD).

Possible cause, you'd installed a differently named video driver, and FSX was not aware you'd done so.

'''Solution - '''
 
* Rename your fsx.CFG to fsx_BSOD.CFG
* Launch FSX.
* FSX will build a new clean default fsx.CFG, containing the appropriate driver name.

=== Issue - FSX Locked Up ===
FSX locked up & had to be terminated by the user.
 
2 possible scenarios.

==== Scenario 1) ====
A dialog box was generated, but displayed behind the FSX window.

FSX subsequently launches ok.

Your slider settings were way too high,
 
and FSX continued attempting to draw the viewport, after the dialog initially displayed.

'''Solution - Reduce your sliders'''

==== Scenario 2) ====
Corrupted Logbook, ('''do not''' edit any entry, other than the latest).

Subsequently FSX refuses to start, only loading to the initial title screen.

'''Solution - Corrupted Logbook'''
 
Look for the file - '''Logbook.BIN''' in -
{| class="prettytable" style="background:#f2f2f2" border="0"
|--
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Filename'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''OS'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Location'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Editor'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Download'''
|-
| Logbook.BIN
| XP
| C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\
| FSX Log Book Editor
| [http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/software.html Lamont Clarke's Software Page (1Mb)]
|-
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Logbook.BIN
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Vista
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | C:\Users\%username%\Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | FSX Log Book Editor
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | [http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/software.html Lamont Clarke's Software Page (1Mb)]
|}
Rename '''Logbook.BIN''' to - '''Logbook_DATE.BIN'''

Now fire up FSX.
 
Does FSX now load properly ?

If so, you had a corrupted logbook.

There are a number of Logbook Editors available.
 
Example - http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/software.html

FSX will have created a new - Logbook.BIN
 
Rename it to - Logbook_Empty.BIN

Copy - Logbook_DATE.BIN
 
Rename the copy as - Logbook.BIN

Open the logbook in the editor.
 
Delete the last entry.
 
Save the file & close the editor.

Fire up FSX.
 
Hopefully that should work,
 
and you'll have all, but your very last flight, logged.

'''Back up your logbook & granted rewards files regularly.'''

'''Caveat -'''
 
If your logbook contains '''any''' single-flight with more than '''100''' landings,
 
then '''do not''' attempt to use Lamont Clarke's editor,
 
as it may cause irrecoverable corruption.
 
Use one of the alternative repair tools instead, (suggest deleting landings to < 100).

== Keys do not work as expected ==
Keys do not work as expected after installing FSX, a service pack, or Acceleration.
 
See - [[Key Mapping (FSXA)]]

== Tools Menu does not display ==
The Tools menu does not display after installing FSX, a service pack, or Acceleration.
 
See - [[SDK Installation (FSX)]]

== Missions ==
=== Missions - Missions List - No missions found (FSX/A) ===
In the FSX GUI menu, clicking the '''Missions''' menu item,
 
displays a '''(no missions found)''' message, and empty missions list, (or possibly only lists a single mission).
 
See - [[Missions - Missions List - No missions found (FSX/A)]]

=== Missions - Go To Briefing - CTD (FSX/A) ===
On selecting a mission, then clicking Go To Briefing
 
FSX, or FSXA, will CTD with an MFC80.dll error.
 
See - [[Missions - Go To Briefing - CTD (FSX/A)]]

== FSX Topic Title ==
=== Issue ===
Placeholder text - outline problem.
=== Solution ===
Placeholder text - outline solution.

= Configuration Issues =
Various configuration related issues.
== Assessing Performance in FSX(A) ==
=== Issue ===
When flying, the simulator stutters, intermittently pauses, or apparently locks up, then issues a ''hung application error''.
 
Scenery/terrain/objects or menu/atc text display as blurried, (ATC window text may be missing entirely).

=== Solution ===
Sliders are set too high for your PC's '''currently''' available resources.
 
Use the simulator's built-in TextInfo data, (SHIFT+Z), to check FPS performance.

Check your FPS variance - It'll give a definitive indicator of your slider configuration suitability.
 
'''Reduce your slider settings, until your FPS variance to less than 1%.'''

To display the FPS variance data
 
replace the [TextInfo.#] sections in your fsx.CFG with the following settings -
<pre>
[TextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
HeadingTrue=1,4
TrueAirspeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6

[TextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
AverageFrameRate=1,3
GForce=1,4
FuelPercentage=1,5

[TextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
HeadingTrue=1,4
TrueAirspeed=1,5
WindDirectionAndSpeed=1,6
FrameRate=2,1
AverageFrameRate=2,2
//LockedFrameRate=2,2
GForce=2,3
FuelPercentage=2,4

[SlewTextInfo.1]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
HeadingTrue=1,4
TrueAirspeed=1,5

[SlewTextInfo.2]
FrameRate=1,1
LockedFrameRate=1,2
AverageFrameRate=1,3

[SlewTextInfo.3]
Latitude=1,1
Longitude=1,2
Altitude=1,3
HeadingTrue=1,4
TrueAirspeed=1,5
FrameRate=2,1
//LockedFrameRate=2,2
AverageFrameRate=2,2
</pre>
'''Reduce your slider settings, until your FPS variance to less than 1%.'''

== Coordinates - Displaying required format ==
=== Issue ===
Placeholder text - outline problem.
=== Solution ===
Placeholder text - outline solution.

== FSX Traffic does not display ==
=== Issue ===
Placeholder text - outline problem.
=== Solution ===
Placeholder text - outline solution.
 
Remove any FS9 traffic bgls.

== Windscreen Glass ==
Windscreen glass is missing or opaque.
 
The texture format is of an incorrect type, (primarily affects pre-FSX aircraft).
 
See - [[Texture Formats (Overview)]]

== Debugging - Missing Library Objects ==
Missing objects will impact on FSX performance, resulting in reduced FPS.
 
See - [[Texture - Missing (FSX)]]

== Debugging - Missing Textures ==
Missing textures for aircraft / scenery will impact on FSX performance. 
Possibly resulting in -
* Objects rendered as transparent.
* Objects rendered as disassociated components.
* Screen artifacting
* Reduced FPS.

See - [[Texture - Missing (FSX)]]

== Debugging - Missions ==
=== Issue ===
Placeholder text - outline problem.
=== Solution ===
Placeholder text - outline solution.

== Aircraft thumbnail missing ==
Addon aircraft do not display a thumbnail image in the Aircraft selection menu.
 
You need to install a thumbnail.jpg image into the aircraft's texture folder(s).
 
See - Lamont Clarke's [[http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/software.html Autothumbnail]]

== Displaying airport names ==
Identifying and locating airports.

See - [[Key Mapping (FSX)]]

== Coordinate Formats ==
=== Issue ===
Obtaining higher accuracy coordinates from TextInfo, (SHIFT+Z).

=== Solution ===
Edit your fsx.CFG file.

In the section titled [Main]
 
append your required format.

==== Decimal Degrees ====
<pre>
// Decimal Degrees
LatLonFormat=Degrees
FractionalLatLonDigits=6
</pre>

== Pilot Records ==
'''Pilot Records''' contains 3 sections -
* Rewards - Listing and details for all your earned rewards, (mission and sandbox).
* Log Book - Your flight's aircraft type/hours/landings/etc., (its also the source data for your earned sandbox rewards).
* Photographs - Folder containing your in-game screenshots taken using the 'V' key, (in .bmp format)

=== Reinstalling FSX or FSXA ===
Before doing so
 
first backup both your '''Log Book''' & ''' Granted Rewards'''.

Relevant file locations are OS dependent.
 
 
'''Log Book'''
{| class="prettytable" style="background:#f2f2f2" border="0"
|--
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Filename'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''OS'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Location'''
|-
| Logbook.BIN
| '''XP'''
| C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\
|-
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Logbook.BIN
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | '''Vista'''
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | C:\Users\%username%\Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\
|}
 
'''Granted Rewards'''
{| class="prettytable" style="background:#f2f2f2" border="0"
|--
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Filename'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''OS'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Location'''
|-
| GrantedRewards.BIN
| '''XP'''
| C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\FSX\
|-
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | GrantedRewards.BIN
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | '''Vista'''
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\
|}

=== Rewards are not displayed ===
Placeholder text - outline problem.
 
 
Solution
{| class="prettytable" style="background:#f2f2f2" border="0"
|--
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Filename'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''OS'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Location'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Editor'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Download'''
|-
| GrantedRewards.BIN
| XP
| C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Application Data\Microsoft\FSX\
| EDITORNAME
| [http://www.yoururl.com Download Page (SizeMb)]
|-
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | GrantedRewards.BIN
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Vista
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | EDITORNAME
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | [http://www.yoururl.com Download Page (SizeMb)]
|}

=== Log Book displays as empty ===
Log book file is missing from expected path, or has become corrupted.
 
 
Solution
{| class="prettytable" style="background:#f2f2f2" border="0"
|--
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Filename'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''OS'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Location'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Editor'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Download'''
|-
| Logbook.BIN
| XP
| C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\
| FSX Log Book Editor
| [http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/software.html Lamont Clarke's Software Page (1Mb)]
|-
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Logbook.BIN
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Vista
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | C:\Users\%username%\Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | FSX Log Book Editor
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | [http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/software.html Lamont Clarke's Software Page (1Mb)]
|}

=== Log Book stops recording flights ===
Log book stops recording flights.
 
 
Solution
 
In FSX, you should '''not''' edit any entry, other than the last entry.

Instead use one of the following tools to edit or delete the last entry.
{| class="prettytable" style="background:#f2f2f2" border="0"
|--
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Filename'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''OS'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Location'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Editor'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Download'''
|-
| Logbook.BIN
| XP
| C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\
| FSX Log Book Editor
| [http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/software.html Lamont Clarke's Software Page (1Mb)]
|-
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Logbook.BIN
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Vista
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | C:\Users\%username%\Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | FSX Log Book Editor
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | [http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/software.html Lamont Clarke's Software Page (1Mb)]
|}

=== Photographs ===
Placeholder text
 
 
Solution

{| class="prettytable" style="background:#f2f2f2" border="0"
|--
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Filename'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''OS'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Location'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Editor'''
| style="background:#C0C090;" | '''Download'''
|-
| Filename
| XP
| '''* * * * *'''
| EDITORNAME
| [http://www.yoururl.com Download Page (SizeMb)]
|-
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Filename
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | Vista
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | '''* * * * *'''
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | EDITORNAME
| style="background:#F8EABA;" | [http://www.yoururl.com Download Page (SizeMb)]
|}

== FSX Topic Title ==
=== Issue ===
Placeholder text - outline problem.
=== Solution ===
Placeholder text - outline solution.

= General Tips =
== Learning Center ==
You can acccess the '''Learning Center''' at any time using your internet browser, without launching FSX.
 
See - [[Learning Center (FSX)]]

== Keyboard Commands - Printing ==
You can print off the key commands from the [[Learning Center (FSX)| Learning Center]].
 
See - Using the Kneeboard - Printing the Kneeboard Files - '''View the complete list of key commands'''. The learning center list will only give you the default (or standardized) commands. Since the commands are configurable, you can print a list by printing the contents of the file containing the customized commands. The file is an XML file located in the user's hidden subfolder named "Controls". Within that folder will be a file named standard.xml. This file contains the necessary information concerning your latest changes, even if you have reconfigured the commands. For example, in Windows 7, the file is usually located in:
C:\Users\(Your User Name Here)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\Controls

For '''Acceleration''' Specific commands
 
See - Sitemap - Key Concepts - What's Changed - '''Key Command Changes'''

== GPWS ==
Annoyed by the '''don't sink''' or '''terrain''' callouts ?
 
See - [[Key_Mapping_%28FSX%29#GPWS| Key Mapping (FSX) GPWS]]

== SDK - Searching ==
See - [[SDK_Toolset_%28FSX%29#Searching | SDK Searching]]

= Related =
[http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=ph;en-us;11941 Flight Simulator X Solution Center] MS site for hardware, software, and FS useage issues.

[[Category:Missions]]

Talk:Weather SDK (FSX)

2010-06-04T01:43:26Z

Tsberry901: FSX Weather cumulonimbus

Looking for people with different ideas on how to create realistic cumulonimbus clouds. I do not believe it can be done with the any of the current SDKs. There are alternative ideas, such as building the cloud as a "model" and then setting the weather (such as visibility) within the model. I would like to see if any of you have suggestions.

FSDeveloper Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Problem Resolving (FSX)

Talk:Weather SDK (FSX)