300: Windows 10 FSX Crash-to-Desktop Fix

| Tom Tsui

With Windows 8.1 two years ago, I experienced recurring crash-to-desktop errors on FSX platform after Orbx’s FTX Global Base was added to it (see my Post 228: FSX with Windows 8.1).

Now with Windows 10, thank goodness, the same combination (FSX + FTX Global Base) doesn’t crash to desktop any more.   But, my goodness, the excitement only lasts for two days until I added another Orbx’s regional product to the platform.

I really don’t know if it is FSX itself or Orbx’s addon the true culprit causing this notorious CTD problem.

Anyway, the tweaks I suggested in the earlier Post 228 are still valid.  Continue reading →

299: The FTX Central 2 — I Never Like It

| Tom Tsui

I never like the new FTX Central 2 because it combines the previous FSX and P3D versions into one single package.   If you have both FSX and P3D installed like I do, FTX_Central_Newyou then have to choose for the simulator you want to modify every time it is started.  That’s inconvenient and an overkill.

In addition, it compels you to read the company’s product advertisements on the program banner which you might not be interested at all.   It’s distracting and irritating.

And the worst of it all, the new FTX Central 2 forces you Continue reading →

298: Cautious to the New Saitek Drivers

| Tom Tsui

Perhaps some of you have noticed that Saitek has released two new drivers.  The “ProFlight_FSX_Plugin_7_0_40_9_x64_Software” is an integrated driver for all its Pro Flight products except the Flight Instrument Panel (FIP) which requires another new driver “Saitek_Pro_Flight_Instrument_Panel_7_0_40_9_x64_Full_pfw” to support it.

The up-sides of the two new drivers are:  they simplify installation, and the load-up order of the FIPs can now be configured.   The latter feature, in particular, has been a long-time request by almost all FIP users.

However, the down-sides are: Continue reading →

297: A Summary of Prepar3D v25 Changes

| Tom Tsui

The confusions many Prepar3D users encountered after upgrading to version 2.5 are the result of a mixed subtle to major changes happened to the program’s long-held file structures that was inherited from Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Although many of these issues have been addressed by third-party manufacturers, it’s still useful to know what are the differences.   Following is a list summarizing the changes (but not limited to) made to the new version compared to earlier versions:

Under Prepar3D Program Directory

  • Folders REMOVED
    Addon Scenery
    categories
    dialogs
    flights

Continue reading →

296: Installing FSX from HDD

| Tom Tsui

TechLevel01W
Even though you are probably not one of us who tend to rebuild FSX for this and that reasons from time to time, putting FSX installation contents onto a hard drive and running from there not only FSX Deluxe+Acceleration_400improves convenience but also significantly reduces processing time required.

The conversion is simple.   Just copy everything from the installation discs to any folder (e.g. FSX Deluxe Edition and FSX Acceleration) on your specified hard drive.

But do remember to copy the discs in their installation order, and answer [NO] when prompt to overwrite files already copied to the hard drive earlier.

In addition, Continue reading →

295: Windows 10 is Here

| Tom Tsui

Sort of having a break in the last two weeks without touching anything related to the flight simulation.   Windows10Besides it’s summer, I just wanna to wait for the new Windows 10 and reinstall everything from scratch after it.

But oh my dear, it took me two days to do the upgrade due to various hardware issues I had no idea what they’re all about.   After numerous attempts, the upgrade was eventually successful, but onto a new SSD as my last resort yesterday.    Phew. Continue reading →

294: C172 Wet Compass

| Tom Tsui

Some friends asked me what would be the next gauges to fill up their “post-11th” FIPs after the C172_CMP_resize10 Standalone plus the one Integrated Fuel Gauges.

Alright, here is the newly done full-size Wet Compass designed to match with the Standalone Gauges, in which the OMI Markers and Signal Sound Indicators are included.

Followings are two videos Continue reading →

News: Cockpit Videos and Photos Submitted

| Tom Tsui

I’ve thought about making a video for the new C172 Standalone Gauges as I did for the earlier Integrated Series.   However, I wasn’t sure how to do it because I don’t have enough FIPs myself.

Luckily, Markus Anderson in Sweden just sent me his videos showing the Standalone Gauges with his newly bought BEH Force Feedback Yoke in his cockpit setup.   Looks pretty good to me.

P3DSaitekTest
Click the image to see the video.

Do note that Continue reading →

Cockpit: Rick Sheenhan (9A5, USA)

| Tom Tsui

Rick Sheehan in US LaFayette predominantly flied GA aircraft but turned to flight simulation after a heart attack many years ago.  Followings are photos of his home cockpit.

Builder: Rick Sheehan
Location: LaFayette, Georgia, USA
ICAO: 9A5, Barwick Field Airport

Continue reading →