It all started when I noticed FlightBeam KSFO didn't look quite right--some components weren't showing up at KSFO. I uninstalled/resintalled it, and that was the end of my FSX installation! I found the 'standalone' addon manager and reinstalled it after uninstalling the original one. Now, despite a successful appearing reinstall of the addon manager, I open FSX, choose the Addon drop down, and there is no Coatl (or whatever the sucker is called), no addon manager any more, and when I try to load the QW 757, FSX closes! Help help!Noel

OK, so I uninstalled every addon I have that uses the blithering addon manager/couatl engine, etc. Reinstalled them all, and now the addon manager shows up again which is great. The problem is now, up pops the "ParkMe" addon needs the Standalone Addon Manager blah blah. So I click THAT link, install the standalone, and now the blithering addon manager AGAIN disappears from the addon drop down. Wretched piece of security software or whatever it is.

Sorry, no patience for that tangled piece of software. I may have it now after NOT installing the Standalone Addon Manager I was prompted to, uninstalling all of these dependent appts and reinstalling them again. I hope anyway . . .

Sorry, no patience for that tangled piece of software. I may have it now after NOT installing the Standalone Addon Manager I was prompted to, uninstalling all of these dependent appts and reinstalling them again. I hope anyway . . .

Make sure you have the latest version from the FSDT site. If it is successfully installed, it will show up in your exe.xml and dll.xml file (located in same folder as FSX.cfg) and you'll get a prompt when you first start FSX whether you want to trust it or not. If you don't select to trust the dll, then it will not show up. Also, if the dll.xml file is corrupted, it will not show up. Hopefully you have it working by now.Best regards,Jim

Also before you freak out and cuss the FSDT stuff ask Umberto for help on his forum. He's one of the most patient and helpful devs out there when it comes to helping his customers with problems. I am sure he can get you running properly in no time.

Also before you freak out and cuss the FSDT stuff ask Umberto for help on his forum. He's one of the most patient and helpful devs out there when it comes to helping his customers with problems. I am sure he can get you running properly in no time.

Yes, they are helpful and I thanked them for it. You can have the convoluted, inelegant installation routines and dependencies though. Seems most other developers can tackle this piece with less troubles, even from a security standpoint.

As long as I hear these stories, be it 0.5% of all users, it keeps me from buying anything FSDT related. I don´t want anything to control my FSX. Even if the specific option can be switched off, it still is there. There is too much time and money involved in that directory that I am the only one controlling it and don´t want to compete with a latent piece of software.For that reason I don´t like installers too. If software comes with an installer I will install it in a different directory and manually copy it into FSX knowing how to delete it if anything messes up.My FSX installation is too precious to have some software alter it.My 2 cents.Menno

Did you try reinstalling the very latest FSDT release? I always (re)install their latest release after installing or reinstalling an addon that uses the addon manager, just to be sure I have the latest components of all products installed.

As long as I hear these stories, be it 0.5% of all users, it keeps me from buying anything FSDT related. I don´t want anything to control my FSX. Even if the specific option can be switched off, it still is there. There is too much time and money involved in that directory that I am the only one controlling it and don´t want to compete with a latent piece of software.For that reason I don´t like installers too. If software comes with an installer I will install it in a different directory and manually copy it into FSX knowing how to delete it if anything messes up.My FSX installation is too precious to have some software alter it.My 2 cents.Menno

Interesting.. This argument has gone on since the unpleasant Cloud9/fs9 days, with it's arrogant forum admins, and so - in the back of my mind - I'm in agreement with you, Menno. I love the look, feel and complexity of the FSDT airport packages; they are next in line to Fly Tampa's work and none better, but as long as Umberto packages airports with his installer, a five-minute demo and "Escellerate"? to pay with - I'd rather not buy from FSDT, nor from the other couple of devs that use it. - and I happen to believe that Umberto is one of MS Flight Sims greatest assets - he's one of the nicest, most helpful and knowledgeable developers that I can think of - right at the top, and has been this way for over twenty years.My "old haunt" was up and down the west coast in Dreamfleet's 727, departing FlyTampa's KSEA to FlightZone's KPDX, on down through LAX, FT's KSFO, turning round at FT's San Diego - super flight!I would dearly love to repeat that in the Maddog, with the OrbX areas in place, but I'm dreading the day when OrbX releases Nor & Socal because it will force my hand. I'm sure I'm not alone with this 'uncomfortable' feeling.

I have installed most of FSDT's software and have absolutely NO issues with it. It's not controlling my system and definitely not controlling FSX in any way. Did you know there are software pirates out there trying to steal software (like shoplifting at a computer store) and software developers have to go to extreme measures to protect their investment(s)? The developer(s) are not going to change their security locks on their products just because a few people don't like the security associated with it or they can't figure out how to install it. My advice to anyone having issues with a FSDT product is to first uninstall the product then download the product again from the FSDT product site. This will ensure you have the latest and greatest updates to the product. This is important as it also includes updates to the installer to make sure the product installs correctly (this is constantly evolving as technology changes). Once installed it will automatically download and install the latest Addon Manager. And, when you first start FSX, make sure you say 'YES' when it asks you if you trust the products. If you don't trust it, then the product is totally useless (some people accidently or on purpose select NO when this popup appears). It is so unbelievably simple I can't believe the amount of negative comments about this developer and his Addon Manager and the associated security. PJ (above) hit the nail on the head when he said "Umberto is one of MS Flight Sims greatest assets". The advice from Jim Burke above is right on too when he stated people should go to the websites forum and make your issues known before coming here to AVSIM. IMHO there's just too much of this garbage going on here at AVSIM about badmouthing FSX products when it doesn't work properly on his/her system. Work with the developer(s). It's in his/her best interest to make sure the product works correctly on your system.Jim

Have you got a modified fsx.exe? I remember seeing a post somewhere on the fsdt forums and this was the issue

I find it incredible that there is still this irrational fear of the Addon Manager. The fact is, it worked perfectly well back in the Cloud9 days, and still does, as long as you get the LATEST addon manager after a re-install. It has no more control of your computer than the fairies at the bottom of your garden. Firehawk44 has it spot on in his post.Russell.

I have installed most of FSDT's software and have absolutely NO issues with it. It's not controlling my system and definitely not controlling FSX in any way. Did you know there are software pirates out there trying to steal software (like shoplifting at a computer store) and software developers have to go to extreme measures to protect their investment(s)? The developer(s) are not going to change their security locks on their products just because a few people don't like the security associated with it or they can't figure out how to install it. My advice to anyone having issues with a FSDT product is to first uninstall the product then download the product again from the FSDT product site. This will ensure you have the latest and greatest updates to the product. This is important as it also includes updates to the installer to make sure the product installs correctly (this is constantly evolving as technology changes). Once installed it will automatically download and install the latest Addon Manager. And, when you first start FSX, make sure you say 'YES' when it asks you if you trust the products. If you don't trust it, then the product is totally useless (some people accidently or on purpose select NO when this popup appears). It is so unbelievably simple I can't believe the amount of negative comments about this developer and his Addon Manager and the associated security. PJ (above) hit the nail on the head when he said "Umberto is one of MS Flight Sims greatest assets". The advice from Jim Burke above is right on too when he stated people should go to the websites forum and make your issues known before coming here to AVSIM. IMHO there's just too much of this garbage going on here at AVSIM about badmouthing FSX products when it doesn't work properly on his/her system. Work with the developer(s). It's in his/her best interest to make sure the product works correctly on your system.Jim

I have all of FSDTs airports as well and couldn't agree more with Jim. I have had absolutlely ZERO issues with any of their software.Bob

As long as I hear these stories, be it 0.5% of all users, it keeps me from buying anything FSDT related. I don´t want anything to control my FSX. Even if the specific option can be switched off, it still is there. There is too much time and money involved in that directory that I am the only one controlling it and don´t want to compete with a latent piece of software.For that reason I don´t like installers too. If software comes with an installer I will install it in a different directory and manually copy it into FSX knowing how to delete it if anything messes up.My FSX installation is too precious to have some software alter it.My 2 cents.Menno

They're one of the top devs out there, as well as Umberto being one of the most helpful and patient guys around when it comes to helping customers.They're software doesnt "control" your rig or FSX and is solely needed to make their products work, but to each their own, and as you can see they fixed Noel's problem straight away.I understand your concerns, but there are a LOT worse programs, addons, developers out their who can screw up your FSX besides FSDT.

I can understand those that have doubts about the addon manager. It is, after all, a big piece of software that runs in the back while FSX is running and I cna understand that you don't want to have it running. But, like others, I can assure you that the installation of the addonmanager isn't a problem. You just have to know some small things about it, but when you do know them, it works great and you get access to probably one of the most impressive pieces of scenery design I know of: FSDT KLAX. That airport had me awe struck and is well worth the installation of the addon manager or the couatl scripting engine. What can I say? I will buy GSX the moment it comes out.