Any good sequence to re-install FS2004 and updates?

[Frank N. O.]

After having with plane-spotting while taxiing around SF Intl. I wanted to try the Concorde but everytime I chose it and clicked load then it crashed, then I remembered it might need the 9.1 update so I got that, and then the FSUIPC.dll didn't want to load, and then FS wouldn't load at all no matter what so I uninstalled the Concorde and FS2004 and I'd like to know if you got experiences on what sequence you should or shouldn't install these things in. Sometimes it's best to install updates before running the program at all, does that work here as well, and what version of the dll is the best?

I already got the instrument and the Concorde-specific update for it, and my Concorde version readsKoch Media Ltd Fly through the decades - Concorde FS2004 Version 2.1.0

I only have a few other planes, all freeware and apart from a FS2002 Commander 114 package, then all are FS2004 versions.
I have no modified original files, to my knowledge.

Frank

[Frank N. O.]

It occured to me that maybe it would help if I aimed my focus of request towards what the above mentioned dll does with FS since that's the part of FS I understand the least by far since the Concorde and FS update is listed in other forums, but what exactly does the dll do with FS both during and after installation? And what difference is it if it's registered (payware) or the unregistered free-to-use version?

Frank

[VulcanB2]

Hi Frank,

FSUIPC (Flight Sim Universal Inter-Process Communication) is simply a way of breaking into the memory space that FS uses to directly modify (aka hack) parameters so that you can program outside of the standard API (Applicationm Programming Interface) supplied with FS, so you can do more fancy things that FS directly wouldn't let you do/wouldn't support.

The install order is:

* FS
* FS 9.1 Update
* Any version of FSUIPC that is compatible with the 9.1 update
* CIVA INS
* Concorde
* Concorde systems update
* Run FS!

Note that it is advisable to load the default Cessna first with Concorde - the reason that few people seem tyo understand (I include devs in this) is that FS fails to initialize the variable space when you first chose a flight!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In programming terms this is known as "TOTAL INSANITY!".

It causes probs at load time because Concorde references variables that don't yet exist when FS loads it!! The only way around it is to detect whether FS is running or not, and initialze the variables yourself. This is why you get instant CTDs from the "Fly Now!" screen with/without an error at this part, depending on how/where the system crashes. Once it is in the sim, these variables are initialized, so no probs. Poor design by MS.

Hope that answers your question!

Best regards,
Robin.

[Frank N. O.]

Thank you very much. I scanned thrue flightsim.com last night and got a few 100mb downloads to try, including the iFly 747 and a few smaller posky jets in SAS livery and some San Francisco add-on scenery files (it's such a pretty view there over the water and the first 3D flightgame I had was around SF, the amiga-game F/A-18 Interceptor).

I found the official homepage of the creator of the dll and got the latest version and some extra files giving info on what the dll and FS itself can be used for. I already have the update on my old hdd so that's done, and the instrument and the update to it from the SSTSim site, but since my Altitude Concorde is 2.1.0 then what update should I get, or was it another update you mentioned?

Speaking of Concorde, am I understanding you right that the Concorde can't load directly from the Create a Flight menu, so I have to load a Cessna at the gate and then get the menu and select change aircraft!? Is it the same for the new SSTSim version?

Greetings and thanks
Frank

[Frank N. O.]

Ok
FS9 installed, quit windows menu
FS9 update run
Downloaded and unzipped FSUIPC V3.53 (jan 1st 2006)
Here's where the problems start:
I got the CIVA INS V1.40, but the Concorde page says I need a fix for it to work with it, and that's named 1.30, do I need the INS V1.30 to get the correct function, or do I at all need the fix with the later version of the instrument?

I looked at the Koch Media support page, and they listed a few updates, one was SU2, a 46mb download, and the other claimed to fix missing instruments in FS2002 and 2004, but the filename "FS2002-MEwin98-patch.zip" kind of indicates to me that I with Win XP and FS2004 don't need this.

Hope there's a simple solution to this. Btw what do you use to fly the Concorde with? Joystick or yoke, and did someone ever find a picture of the Concorde prototype with a sidestick controller?

Greetings
Frank

[VulcanB2]

Ok
FS9 installed, quit windows menu
FS9 update run
Downloaded and unzipped FSUIPC V3.53 (jan 1st 2006)
Here's where the problems start:
I got the CIVA INS V1.40, but the Concorde page says I need a fix for it to work with it, and that's named 1.30, do I need the INS V1.30 to get the correct function, or do I at all need the fix with the later version of the instrument?
You need the update if the INS version >= V1.30.

I looked at the Koch Media support page, and they listed a few updates, one was SU2, a 46mb download, and the other claimed to fix missing instruments in FS2002 and 2004, but the filename "FS2002-MEwin98-patch.zip" kind of indicates to me that I with Win XP and FS2004 don't need this.
If you are running 200 Pro or XP, just get the SU2 update.

Hope there's a simple solution to this. Btw what do you use to fly the Concorde with? Joystick or yoke, and did someone ever find a picture of the Concorde prototype with a sidestick controller?
I use a non-FF stick (Microsoft SideWinder 1 USB). The side-stick idea was a concept - thhey didn't actually fly any with a side-stick.

Best regards,
Robin.

[Frank N. O.]

I'm running XP Pro UK Edition SP2 and the Altitude Concorde is V2.1.0.

Sidewinder 1? This one:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/article/970711/3dpro.jpg
That's the one I have one of, and had one like it without the USB-converter plug before it, but it's damaged after years of use (the two Logitech, one FF and the other without are worn after just months of mild use). I wish I could buy a new one of these, or get it repaired since the Logitech's are way too stiff to use, or even better that I could get my yoke and pedals made but fat chance with on real life contacts.

I'll get all the updates and install them and then try to run FS, I've got tons of downloads to try as well also.

Btw I didn't know the side-stick wasn't actually tested, but I seem to remember there was a set-up with it at least and I was wondering how it looked.

Thanks for the help :wave:
Frank

[Frank N. O.]

Well FS is up and running now, but after using the SU2 on the Concorde I see the selections of planes are completely different, but at least it's understandable now, the version I had listed versions that had clear grammer errors in it. I still cannot make sense of either of the two check-lists though so I'll try to do some more research both at the forum and in the files. The main problem however is simply that the written names and the ones on the panels are completely different from each other.

Thank you very much for your help :wave:
Frank