434: I am now P3Dv4

I just ordered P3Dv4 tonight.  I didn’t plan to get it now because my new rig hasn’t been set up properly.  But I have no choice because more and more friends are asking the compatibility status of my gauges with the new version.   Although some users reported to me that my gauges on their system function as usual, I still need to ensure that myself that they are truly in good shape.

The program interface, though improves a bit, is still not my cup of tea.

Started up the program after installation and my first response Continue reading

432: My Cockpit Rev #04 – PC Tuning

Followings are the storage drives I so far added to my new computer.   Except the 2TB Backup drive (O:), all are SSDs of various size from previous purchases.

Major System Folders have been reassigned to various drives, so that user data could be kept intact and independent from System drive (C:) in case Windows is required to be restored or even reinstalled. Continue reading

430: Windows 10 Creators Update

Windows 10’s Creator Update has been available for some time.   If your system aren’t aware of it, you can download the Update Assistant from Microsoft here

Again, before proceeding the update, you’d better unplug all attached USB devices (except the one for the mouse and keyboard) and CD/DVD drivers first.  This helps minimizing the chance of many known errors.

Basically I found no errors or hits to my system or the flight simulator.

 

429: My Cockpit Rev #03 – Racks Installed

Many friends emailed me how I find the new 64-bit Prepar3D v4.    I wish I had some comments but I am still repacking my room with so many things to tidy up and clean before I can move on to set up my new cockpit.  Moreover, it’s really no rush at this moment as there are so many addons needing to be updated before they can fully work with the new simulator.

Followings are some photos of the status of my room so far.

This is how my room looked before the rearrangement.   It’s 5 feet wide and 8.8 feet long.   There are many books and computer stuff stored in the tiny area.

Continue reading

News: Prepar3D 64-bit is Coming Finally

Lockheed Martin has just announced that Prepar3D v4 will be public released on May 30.  And finally it is 64-bit.

The company says that the new version will completely change the simulation landscape with a comprehensive baseline update to a 64-bit architecture.   Higher resolution visuals, more objects, increased data precision, larger scenarios, and improved performance are now all possible at levels never seen before in the product’s history.

No information about whether we current users need to pay for the update or not.   The company says more details Continue reading

428: FSW First Impression – Part 2

by Michael Basler

Here are good news.  I just tested SPAD.neXt with FSW support and was positively surprised.  My Prepar3d C182 profile (which, of course doesn’t have a counterpart in FSW) works excellently with the FSW Piper.   This includes notably Tom’s gauges.   Some of them are of course not appropriate for the Piper, but the values are all displayed and even the Flaps indicator moves.

I find this great news.  Continue reading

427: FSW First Impression

by Colin Moir

Followings are comments originally sent by Colin regarding the early access of the Flight Sim World (FSW).   As it is generally covering many aspects of the product, I am posting it as a full piece instead.  BTW, sorry to hear that Colin had a bad fall at home while doing DIY recently.  Hope him get well soon.

Installed FSW last night too, can’t complain about the price (free) as I’d already bought Flight School … a nice gesture from them, but I’m sure future DLC is where Dovetail expect to make money from this title, it all seems a bit raw just now and that’s expected because its early access … really like the windscreen rain effects, this reminds me of the old Flight Unlimited 2 from Looking Glass, if they can get the effect to change as the Aircraft travels faster I think they will have nailed this visual effect. Continue reading

424: My Cockpit Rev #02 – Hold Short

Even though many of the new hardware I ordered, such as the MFG Crosswind Rudders, are arriving these days, the progress of my rebuilding, unfortunately, has come to a halt due to the waiting for the outside racks.

Out of expectation, the same happens to my new computer installation as well even on the software side.

Nevertheless, I can’t help getting a grin on my face as the performance of it right out of the box is already double Continue reading

423: My Cockpit Rev #01 – New Hardware

Just received  the new computer solely for flight simulation today with some revisions to the spec listed in my last post originally.    The full spec now is:

  • CPU: Intel i7-6850K
  • Motherboard: Asus X99 Deluxe-II
  • RAM: Corsair 32GB Dominator 3200MHz DDR4
  • SSD: Samsung 960 EVO M.2 256GB for Windows System
  • CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro Series H115i
  • Power Supply: Corsair AX1200i
  • Case: Corsair Graphite 760T
  • OS: Windows 10 Home

Continue reading