Systems

436: My PD3v4 Setting Up #02 – FSX Aircraft Migration

| Tom Tsui

This post is originally the first aritcle in the “My P3Dv4 Setting Up” series.   However, since I do normally perform the configuration back up mentioned in the second article first, I therefore rename this post to #02 and the second post #1.   Publishing time adjusted as well to reflect the proper order.

As stated in the About FSX Times of this blog, my goal is to achieve a stable flight simulation system performance with a minimum 30 fps in average.   Luckily, I’ve been able to achieve that goal with some compromises.   But unluckily, that 30-something fps level also acts like a barrier that stops me from passing.

I am not sure yet whether the 64-bit P3Dv4 and my new hardware would help break this spell for good.   But the 120 to 210 fps initially gained from the new system without any tuning seems like a promising start.

As the hardware side of my new cockpit is still not ready, I’ll take it slowly to install addons and to finetune the system. Continue reading →

435: My P3Dv4 Setting Up #01 – Configuration Backup

| Tom Tsui

Actually this is the second piece in the “My P3Dv4 Setting Up” series of articles.   However, since I normally do the back up before migrating FSX aircraft described in the last story, I therefore name this post #01 and rename the last one #2.   Publication time is adjusted as well for proper display order.

After every installation (whether it is P3D or FSX or other similar programs, and no matter if it is a new install or a re-installation), I’ll immediately do a back up for the key configuration files first.    In P3Dv4, most of the user-configurable files are located in the following folders:

  • C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4
  • C:\ProgramData\Lockheed Martin\Prepar3D v4

The first one is where the Prepar3D.cfg and some other key configuration files reside.   The second contains the Scenery.cfg and other related configurations. Continue reading →

434: I am now P3Dv4

| Tom Tsui

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

| Tom Tsui

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

| Tom Tsui

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

| Tom Tsui

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

| Tom Tsui

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

| Tom Tsui

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

| Tom Tsui

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 →