Problem Resolving (FSX)
This page is a work-in-progress. Generic message - Please note some detail may possibly be missing or incorrect. |
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.
Contents
- 1 Startup Issues
- 2 Configuration Issues
- 2.1 Coordinates - Displaying required format
- 2.2 FSX Traffic does not display
- 2.3 Windscreen Glass
- 2.4 Debugging - Missing Library Objects
- 2.5 Debugging - Missing Textures
- 2.6 Debugging - Missions
- 2.7 Aircraft thumbnail missing
- 2.8 Displaying airport names
- 2.9 Coordinate Formats
- 2.10 Pilot Records
- 2.11 FSX Topic Title
- 3 General Tips
- 4 Related
Startup Issues
FSX will not start
Issue
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 & had to be terminated by the user.
Subsequently FSX refuses to start, only loading to the initial title screen.
Solution -
Corrupted Logbook
Look for the file - Logbook.BIN in -
Filename | OS | Location | Editor | Download |
Logbook.BIN | XP | C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\My Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\ | FSX Log Book Editor | Lamont Clarke's Software Page (1Mb) |
Logbook.BIN | Vista | C:\Users\%username%\Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\ | FSX Log Book Editor | 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.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 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)
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
Identifying and locating airports.
See - Key Mapping (FSX)
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 | C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX\ | 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\ | FSX Log Book Editor | Lamont Clarke's Software Page (1Mb) |
Logbook.BIN | Vista | C:\Users\%username%\Documents\Flight Simulator X Files\ | FSX Log Book Editor | Lamont Clarke's Software Page (1Mb) |
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 Learning Center.
See - Using the Kneeboard - Printing the Kneeboard Files - View the complete list of key commands.
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 (FSX) GPWS
SDK - Searching
See - SDK Searching
Related
Flight Simulator X Solution Center MS site for hardware, software, and FS useage issues.