Problem Resolving (FSX)

Applicable
MS Flight
FSXA
FSX
FS2004
FS2002

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

Launching FSX causes the operating system to crash, (BSOD).

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

Solution

Rename your fsx.CFG to fsx_BSOD.CFG

Launch FSX.
A clean fsx.CFG will be built, containing the appropriate driver name.

Issue

FSX locked up & had to be terminated by the user.

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

Solution

Corrupted Logbook

Look for Logbook.BIN in -

Filename	OS	Location (default)	Editor	Download
Logbook.BIN	XP	C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents\Flight Simulator X Files	FSX Log book editor	Download Page (SizeMb)
Logbook.BIN	Vista	? Vista path ?	FSX Log book editor	Download Page (SizeMb)

for the file - Logbook.BIN
Rename 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 Edtiors available.
Example - http://lc0277.nerim.net/wiki/index.php?software

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 regularly.

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)

FSX Topic Title

Issue

Placeholder text - outline problem.

Solution

Placeholder text - outline solution.

Configuration Issues

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 [Autothumbnail]

Displaying airport names

Issue

Identifying and locating airports.

Solution

The airport's name can be displayed above airports. (Undocumented feature of FSX).
Label visible -

• Range maximum 20nm
• Approximately 1500' above airport reference point.
• Through terrain.
• User aircraft must be higher than the airport reference point, (otherwise disappears).

Edit the file Standard.xml located in -
XP - C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\FSX\Controls
Vista -

Add the following code to the first SimControls.Map group, (at the very top of the file).

        <Entry>
            <Key>CTRL+SHIFT+P</Key>
            <Down>TOGGLE_AIRPORT_NAME_DISPLAY</Down>
        </Entry>

CTRL+SHIFT+P will now toggle the display of 'Airport Labels'.

Warning

Unconfirmed report - May require crash detection to be turned off.
Report appears to have been incorrect.

Credits

Credit to Lamont Clarke, (lc0277).
Keys changed due to clash with FSX Acceleration

Coordinate Formats

Issue

Placeholder text - outline problem.

Solution

Edit your fsx.CFG file.

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

Decimal Degrees

// Decimal Degrees
LatLonFormat=Degrees
FractionalLatLonDigits=6

Pilot Records

Pilot Records contains 3 sections -

• Rewards
• Log Book
• Photographs

Rewards are not displayed

Placeholder text - outline problem.

Solution

Filename	OS	Location	Editor	Download
GrantedRewards.BIN	XP	C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Microsoft\FSX	EDITORNAME	Download Page (SizeMb)
GrantedRewards.BIN	Vista	? Vista path ?	EDITORNAME	Download Page (SizeMb)

Log Book displays as empty

Log book file is missing from expected path, or has become corrupted.

Solution

Filename	OS	Location	Editor	Download
Logbook.BIN	XP	C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\My Documents\Flight Simulator X Files	EDITORNAME	Download Page (SizeMb)
Logbook.BIN	Vista	? Vista path ?	EDITORNAME	Download Page (SizeMb)

Photographs

Placeholder text

Solution

Filename	OS	Location	Editor	Download
Filename	XP	* * * * *	EDITORNAME	Download Page (SizeMb)
Filename	Vista	* * * * *	EDITORNAME	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 FS Learning Center. See - Using the Kneeboard - Printing the Kneeboard Files - View the complete list of key commands.

GPWS

Annoyed by the don't sink or terrain callouts ?
See - Key Mapping (FSX) GPWS

SDK - Searching

See - SDK Searching

Related

Flight Simulator X Solution Center MS site for hardware, software, and FS useage issues.