May 7, 200917 yr Simmers,thought I would have a try of the ABACUS Dauphin helicopter.2 hours later I have given up and ABACUS will be seeing none of my money.After installing and trying to run I get a big red rectangle telling me I haven't setup FSX properly (Funny Flight1, PMDG etc... never had a problem)So after investigating thru the less than user friendly support site (support by name only) it relates to the DLL and simconnect.after reinstalling the Simconnect SDK and running and trying FSX again and again and editing files - no luck - delete and move onWhat a ridiculous long winded process to install an acft (that I couldn't even get to fly - well I can fly the red box)What am I missing? I know what Abacus will missing - any of my custom.ScottVISTA ULTIMATE 64(go on tell me it is VISTAs fault!) Scott Stephens
May 7, 200917 yr ScottVISTA ULTIMATE 64(go on tell me it is VISTAs fault!)Ah, it's vistas fault.<duck!>
May 7, 200917 yr Why would you buy addons from Abacus anyway?Most of their products seem to be on average freeware level. :(
May 7, 200917 yr Why would you buy addons from Abacus anyway?Most of their products seem to be on average freeware level. :(There's a heck of a lot of freeware developers who would disagree with you. Some freeware products are really outstanding! I think Abacus' biggest problem is selling products originally made for 2004 and earlier versions of MSFS and ported over to work in the FSX format without upgrading textures or adding new features available with the FSX SDK. I remember Pilot's Shop (Aircraft, Scenery and Utilities) back the mid to late 90's was a pretty big seller for them. They do sell commercial products made by other developers too so you can't blame everything on Abacus.Jim
May 8, 200917 yr I think that's a little strong, FS Design Studio software is really pretty good.Al Alan Bradbury Check out my youtube flight sim videos: Here
May 8, 200917 yr The AS565 Panther by abacus for FSX is a true FSX native Helo and abacus became the 1st in payware to wear the crown for the Panther. Granted there is know reported issues with there try before you buy and sadly its mostly related to Vista ops system. Try e-mailing Abacus but look up Adam he is the Project Manager there and is very friendly and helpful.Please feel free to pm me if you still have trouble getting into contact with abacus and ill see if I can help you more. Founder/CEO Canadian Arctic Virtual http://www.canadianarcticvirtual.net/
May 8, 200917 yr Our local helicopter rescue service has a couple of Dauphins so I thought I'd give it a try.Scott: I had the same problem as you (red cube) but it was very easy to fix. Either navigate to "FSX/Simobjects/airplanes/ab_pc_as565_panther" and click on "AddDLLforPremierCollection.exe" or try running the installer again. When I ran the installer it said it had installed it correctly but it also started up a second installer (the "AddDLLforPremierCollection.exe" program). I didn't run this installer the first time just to see what would happen and sure enough I got the red box. Running this second installer and I was able to use the 'copter. When you start FSX you should get one of those "Allow trusted software" messages for the gauges file and one for "AbacusPremierCollectionFSX.dll".I think this second installer adds a .dll which controls the software protection and allows you to fly the aircraft for 7 days before having to buy. Without the .dll the aircraft won't work.YOUR FSX AND SIMCONNECT IS FINE. It's just that this .dll hasn't been installed and that is why it appears as a big red cube.As for the aircraft itself? Well, it is up to the usual Abacus standard (what do you expect for $10. :(:) .PS. Will people please stop using terms such as "payware quality" and "freeware standard". There used to be a time when these terms meant something but lately I think there is a heack of a lot of payware stuff that just doesn't cut it. And there is plenty of freeware stuff that p****** on some payware from a great height :) .
May 8, 200917 yr Our local helicopter rescue service has a couple of Dauphins so I thought I'd give it a try.Scott: I had the same problem as you (red cube) but it was very easy to fix. Either navigate to "FSX/Simobjects/airplanes/ab_pc_as565_panther" and click on "AddDLLforPremierCollection.exe" or try running the installer again. When I ran the installer it said it had installed it correctly but it also started up a second installer (the "AddDLLforPremierCollection.exe" program). I didn't run this installer the first time just to see what would happen and sure enough I got the red box. Running this second installer and I was able to use the 'copter. When you start FSX you should get one of those "Allow trusted software" messages for the gauges file and one for "AbacusPremierCollectionFSX.dll".I think this second installer adds a .dll which controls the software protection and allows you to fly the aircraft for 7 days before having to buy. Without the .dll the aircraft won't work.YOUR FSX AND SIMCONNECT IS FINE. It's just that this .dll hasn't been installed and that is why it appears as a big red cube.As for the aircraft itself? Well, it is up to the usual Abacus standard (what do you expect for $10. :( :) .PS. Will people please stop using terms such as "payware quality" and "freeware standard". There used to be a time when these terms meant something but lately I think there is a heack of a lot of payware stuff that just doesn't cut it. And there is plenty of freeware stuff that p****** on some payware from a great height :) .Developers just can't win can they? They are critisised for not offering a try-before-you-buy facility but when they do they are critisised for providing inadequate support for those who haven't made a purchase! Gerry Howard
May 8, 200917 yr Author Developers just can't win can they? They are critisised for not offering a try-before-you-buy facility but when they do they are critisised for providing inadequate support for those who haven't made a purchase!Well it's not really try-before-you-buy if I cant try it is it - and yes I am criticising Abacus for a very poor installation routine. Would it get any better if I bought it?Kwilson - tried running it but still no joy... Scott Stephens
May 8, 200917 yr Well it's not really try-before-you-buy if I cant try it is it - and yes I am criticising Abacus for a very poor installation routine. Would it get any better if I bought it?Kwilson - tried running it but still no joy...Maybe it is Vista 64 :) . Running XP myself.Just check to make sure that "AbacusPremierCollectionFSX.dll" appears in your base Microsoft Flight Simulator X folder which is where mine was installed into. Other than there's not much more I can do to help except to say Alphasim.co.uk are working on a Dauphin.Still, you've got to be happy you found this installation problem before you spent any money. I think the try before you buy version is the only version you get as when you select the aircraft you get a pop up asking you either to try the 7 day trial or enter your registration code (which I presume Abacus send you when you buy the product). So it wouldn't get any better if you bought it.
May 8, 200917 yr PS. Will people please stop using terms such as "payware quality" and "freeware standard". There used to be a time when these terms meant something but lately I think there is a heack of a lot of payware stuff that just doesn't cut it. And there is plenty of freeware stuff that p****** on some payware from a great height :) .Agreed. My favourite case in point: Opensky Airbus and 777, better than PSS and Wilco offerings (in every way apart from the panels)Also, I have seen Abacus stuff in my local shops and they had no effect on me whatsoever. I don't know why, but they just didn't seem as slick as the other publishers like Just Flight. They sold me my first ever addon way back in early '03 (A320 Pro), and even coaxed me into getting the CLS 747 classic, when I knew it was an f-lite nonsense thing which I hate (Why make light versions when there aren't any accurate ones? Why not make both?) and I knew I'd be disappointed but I still bought it. Brand loyalty goes a long way
May 8, 200917 yr Author Am awaiting Abacus help....Thanks anyway guys...The DLL is there!Scott Scott Stephens
May 8, 200917 yr Well it's not really try-before-you-buy if I cant try it is it - and yes I am criticising Abacus for a very poor installation routine. Would it get any better if I bought it?Kwilson - tried running it but still no joy...You were able to try it which is how you found out you couldn't use it. Without try-before-you-buy you would have had to buy it before you found that out. Gerry Howard
May 8, 200917 yr Moderator You were able to try it which is how you found out you couldn't use it. Without try-before-you-buy you would have had to buy it before you found that out.Why spoil a good rant......don't confuse folks with facts and logic... :( :( Fr. Bill AOPA Member: 07141481 AARP Member: 3209010556 Avsim Board of Directors | Avsim Forums Moderator
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